Cloze Exercise

Life in Post-War Germany

Rebuilding West Germany, 1945-55

1. A Change of Policy

• US ' Plan’ (1944): proposed weakening Germany’s industry to prevent future threats. US JCS 1067 directive prohibited economic recovery efforts.

• July 1945: British Field-Marshal Montgomery issued a directive requiring reconstruction of German economy & politics.

• British Army repaired infrastructure → goods production/distribution improved → economic growth.

• Sep 1946: US Sec. of State James Byrnes’ ‘Speech of Hope’ advocated economic recovery, though JCS 1067 not rescinded until 1947 & reparations (industrial plant removal) continued until 1950.

2. A New Currency

• 1948: replaced worthless Reichsmark. Stabilized economy, boosted business confidence & investment, ended the black market, restored market economy.

• Impact: Money moved from Soviet zone → Stalin’s Berlin Blockade.

3. Aid

• 1946-50: US program: $1.62b aid (food, fertilizer, seeds, etc.) to "prevent disease/unrest."

• 1948: Plan: West Germany (FRG) received $1.5b (1949-52) mainly in industrial materials/plant PLUS ERP ‘counterpart funds’ financed loans for energy, coal, iron/steel, housing, etc. PLUS Technical Assistance Program: exchanges US & German experts/scientists.

4. Govt Policies

• Ludwig (Bizone econ director; later Econ Min): stabilized economy w. free-market policies, ending price controls/quotas; prioritized growth → spurred innovation/productivity.

• Compensation scheme helped business owners rebuild industries.

5. International Integration

• Aug 1948: Western zones merged into ‘Trizonia’ → 1949: FRG formed → created stability/confidence.

• 1951: FRG joined European Community (ECSC); 1957: founding member EEC → free trade/econ links in Europe.

6. Skilled/Motivated Workforce

• Wartime efficiency; returning soldiers brought skills; 3m East German refugees (many skilled workers) → boosted economy.

• 1951 Co-determination Law: large firms required union reps on boards; 1952: established → good industrial relations, reduced strikes.

• Post-war determination → high productivity.

7. Success

• 1950s: (‘economic miracle’): economy grew 8% annually.

• Steel, chemicals, car industries (e.g., Volkswagen) thrived; 1955: industrial production > pre-war levels.

Life in West Germany, 1945-55

1. Standard of Living

• Food: 1945 British Zone rations: 1,000 kcal/day. By 1946: 1,500 kcal. 1950: rationing ended; variety improved.

• Housing: Shortage/overcrowding. 1950 Housing Construction Law → prefabricated apartments ().

• Transport: Marshall Plan funded rebuilding. By 1955: functioning public transport in major cities.

• Healthcare: Hospitals rebuilt; health improved w. econ recovery.

2. Social/Cultural

• Freedom: Stable govt guaranteed free speech/press (FRG constitution).

• Inequalities: Class divides persisted (esp. for refugees), but prosperity masked gaps.

• Religion: Christian identity remained strong; churches key to community rebuilding.

• Leisure: Football grew popular (1954 FRG World Cup victory); (nostalgic rural films) dominated.

• Psychological scars; guilt/shame over Nazi regime → most avoided discussion/ viewed themselves as victims.

3. Women

• vital in late 1940s reconstruction but later pushed into domestic roles.

• Women worked in ‘female’ professions (nursing, teaching, clerical) but % in workforce fell as men resumed jobs.

• 1949 Basic Law guaranteed gender equality, but traditional roles prevailed: male breadwinner model.

• 1953 Civil Code: Husbands controlled wives’ employment/finances → legal inequalities.

• 1950 Kinderreiche-Familiengesetz ( Law): financial aid for families w. children → population recovery focus.

• Girls’ access to education improved, but higher education rare; societal pressures encouraged early marriage.

• Single mothers/refugee women struggled financially; barriers to employment/education.

4. Youth

• Education: Schools recovered; curricula for democratic values. Higher ed expanded but w. class/gender disparities.

• Vocational training helped integrate youth into manufacturing/trades.

• Leisure: Economic recovery boosted leisure (cinema, rock & roll). Traditional activities (youth choirs, sports clubs) resumed.

• Delinquency: Linked to war dislocations/family breakdown.

• Politics: Young people in FRG questioned parents’ roles under Nazis.

Rebuilding East Germany, 1945-55

1. Econ Reconstruction under Soviets

• State-owned industries (VEBs): By 1950, >75% of industrial output from nationalized firms.

• Two-Year Plan (1949-50) & Five-Year Plan (1951-55): aimed to boost industrial output (35% focus: energy, chemicals). Limited growth, consumer goods shortages.

• Education: Focused on tech/science skills. qualification included assessment of political loyalty.

2. Land Reform

• 1945 : Nationalized land >100 ha; Junker estates (7k totalling 2.5m ha) confiscated & redistributed to 500k peasants/workers.

• 1949: began w. Agricultural Production Cooperatives (APCs). Resistance → disruption, production fell.

3. Socialist Urban Planning

• East Berlin: Socialist showcase (eg – Stalinist apartment blocks for workers).

• Functional urban planning but limited rural building (e.g., only 748/37k planned houses built by 1948).

4. Removal/Sovietization of Industry

• 1946: Soviets took 1,800 industrial plants as (punishment for Nazis, replacement for Soviet war losses, destruction of capitalism).

• 1949: coordinated Eastern bloc economies (favoured USSR) but lacked resources → worsened issues.

5. Migration to the West

• 1945-52: Millions fled Soviet zone seeking better life/freedom.

• Result: Skilled labour/professional shortages → econ reconstruction hindered.

Life in East Germany, 1945-55

1. Standard of Living

• Shortages: War damage, Soviet reparations, heavy industry focus → food, clothing, consumer goods rationed; diets poor; black market flourished.

• Housing: WWII destroyed 40% of urban housing. Slow rebuilding → overcrowded/apartment shortages. Projects like Stalinallee insufficient.

• Transport: Damaged railways prioritized goods transport → overcrowded passenger services.

2. Social/Cultural

• Strict censorship/political control under SED ( Party) and the STASI ('’).

• Leisure: State-organized activities (e.g., FDJ youth groups) dominated; little Western cultural influence.

• Propaganda glorified socialism, promoting loyalty to USSR.

• Religion tolerated but monitored.

3. Women

• Women (esp. Trummerfrauen) important in early years ∵ many men still POWs

• Equal rights promised under the 1949 , but traditional roles persisted.

• Women’s participation in labour force essential due to workforce shortages.

• Motherhood emphasized; state policies encouraged large families (maternity benefits, childcare).

4. Youth

• Education: Politicized; schools taught socialist ideology; Abitur required political reliability.

• FDJ youth group activities reinforced party loyalty; dissent discouraged.

• Limited career choices → focus on state-prioritized industries.

5. Heimat

• Love of Heimat (homeland) fostered loyalty to GDR and fear of the West → 1955: made compulsory in schools.

6. Failure

• Migration: 1945–52 → 3m fled to West Germany.

• Uprising: 1m protested Stalin’s death, shortages & conscription; USSR crushed revolt w. 20k troops → 32 executed → GDR’s dependence on Stasi for social control.

Rebuilding West Germany, 1945-55

1. A Change of Policy

• US 'MORGENTHAU Plan’ (1944): proposed weakening Germany’s industry to prevent future threats. US JCS 1067 directive prohibited economic recovery efforts.

• July 1945: British Field-Marshal Montgomery issued a directive requiring reconstruction of German economy & politics.

• British Army repaired infrastructure → goods production/distribution improved → economic growth.

2. A New Currency

• 1948: DEUTSCHE MARK placed worthless Reichsmark. Stabilized economy, boosted business confidence & investment, ended the black market, restored market economy.

• Impact: Money moved from Soviet zone → Stalin’s Berlin Blockade.

3. Aid

• 1946-50: US GARIOA program: $1.62b aid (food, fertilizer, seeds, etc.) to "prevent disease/unrest."

• 1948: MARSHALL Plan: West Germany (FRG) received $1.5b (1949-52) mainly in industrial materials/plant PLUS ERP ‘counterpart funds’ financed loans for energy, coal, iron/steel, housing, etc. PLUS Technical Assistance Program: exchanges US & German experts/scientists.

4. Govt Policies

• Ludwig ERHARD (Bizone econ director; later Econ Min): stabilized economy w. free-market policies, ending price controls/quotas; prioritized growth → spurred innovation/productivity.

• Compensation scheme helped business owners rebuild industries.

5. International Integration

• Aug 1948: Western zones merged into ‘Trizonia’ → 1949: FRG formed → created stability/confidence.

• 1951: FRG joined European COAL AND STEEL Community (ECSC); 1957: founding member EEC → free trade/econ links in Europe.

6. Skilled/Motivated Workforce

• Wartime efficiency; returning soldiers brought skills; 3m East German refugees (many skilled workers) → boosted economy.

• 1951 Co-determination Law: large firms required union reps on boards; 1952: WORKS COUNCILS established → good industrial relations, reduced strikes.

• Post-war determination → high productivity.

7. Success

• 1950s: WIRTSCHAFTSWUNDER (‘economic miracle’): economy grew 8% annually.

• Steel, chemicals, car industries (e.g., Volkswagen) thrived; 1955: industrial production > pre-war levels.

Life in West Germany, 1945-55

1. Standard of Living

• Food: 1945 British Zone rations: 1,000 kcal/day. By 1946: 1,500 kcal. 1950: rationing ended; variety improved.

• Housing: Shortage/overcrowding. 1950 Housing Construction Law → prefabricated apartments (PLATTENBAUTEN).

• Transport: Marshall Plan funded rebuilding. By 1955: functioning public transport in major cities.

• Healthcare: Hospitals rebuilt; health improved w. econ recovery.

2. Social/Cultural

• Freedom: Stable govt guaranteed free speech/press (FRG constitution).

• Inequalities: Class divides persisted (esp. for refugees), but prosperity masked gaps.

• Religion: Christian identity remained strong; churches key to community rebuilding.

• Leisure: Football grew popular (1954 FRG World Cup victory); HEIMATFILM (nostalgic rural films) dominated.

• Psychological scars; guilt/shame over Nazi regime → most avoided discussion/ viewed themselves as victims.

3. Women

• TRUMMERFRAUEN vital in late 1940s reconstruction but later pushed into domestic roles.

• Women worked in ‘female’ professions (nursing, teaching, clerical) but % in workforce fell as men resumed jobs.

• 1949 Basic Law guaranteed gender equality, but traditional roles prevailed: male breadwinner model.

• 1953 Civil Code: Husbands controlled wives’ employment/finances → legal inequalities.

• 1950 Kinderreiche-Familiengesetz (LARGE FAMILIES Law): financial aid for families w. children → population recovery focus.

• Girls’ access to education improved, but higher education rare; societal pressures encouraged early marriage.

• Single mothers/refugee women struggled financially; barriers to employment/education.

4. Youth

• Education: Schools recovered; curricula for democratic values. Higher ed expanded but w. class/gender disparities.

• Vocational training helped integrate youth into manufacturing/trades.

• Leisure: Economic recovery boosted leisure (cinema, rock & roll). Traditional activities (youth choirs, sports clubs) resumed.

• Delinquency: Linked to war dislocations/family breakdown.

• Politics: Young people in FRG questioned parents’ roles under Nazis.

Rebuilding East Germany, 1945-55

1. Econ Reconstruction under Soviets

• State-owned industries VOLKSEIGENE BETRIEBE (VEBs): By 1950, >75% of industrial output from nationalized firms.

• Two-Year Plan (1949-50) & Five-Year Plan (1951-55): aimed to boost industrial output (35% focus: energy, chemicals). Limited growth, consumer goods shortages.

• Education: Focused on tech/science skills. ABITUR qualification included assessment of political loyalty.

2. Land Reform

• 1945 BODENREFORM: Nationalized land >100 ha; Junker estates (7k totalling 2.5m ha) confiscated & redistributed to 500k peasants/workers.

• 1949: COLLECTIVIZATION began w. Agricultural Production Cooperatives (APCs). Resistance → disruption, production fell.

3. Socialist Urban Planning

• East Berlin: Socialist showcase (eg STALINALLEE – Stalinist apartment blocks for workers).

• Functional urban planning but limited rural building (e.g., only 748/37k planned houses built by 1948).

4. Removal/Sovietization of Industry

• 1946: Soviets took 1,800 industrial plants as REPARATIONS (punishment for Nazis, replacement for Soviet war losses, destruction of capitalism).

• 1949: COMECON coordinated Eastern bloc economies (favoured USSR) but lacked resources → worsened issues.

5. Migration to the West

• 1945-52: Millions fled Soviet zone seeking better life/freedom.

• Result: Skilled labour/professional shortages → econ reconstruction hindered.

Life in East Germany, 1945-55

1. Standard of Living

• Shortages: War damage, Soviet reparations, heavy industry focus → food, clothing, consumer goods rationed; diets poor; black market flourished.

• Housing: WWII destroyed 40% of urban housing. Slow rebuilding → overcrowded/apartment shortages. Projects like Stalinallee insufficient.

• Transport: Damaged railways prioritized goods transport → overcrowded passenger services.

2. Social/Cultural

• Strict censorship/political control under SED (SOCIALIST UNITY Party) and the STASI ('STATE SECURITY’).

• Leisure: State-organized activities (e.g., FDJ youth groups) dominated; little Western cultural influence.

• Propaganda glorified socialism, promoting loyalty to USSR.

• Religion tolerated but monitored.

3. Women

• Women (esp. Trummerfrauen) important in early years ∵ many men still POWs

• Equal rights promised under the 1949 CONSTITUTION, but traditional roles persisted.

• Women’s participation in labour force essential due to workforce shortages.

• Motherhood emphasized; state policies encouraged large families (maternity benefits, childcare).

4. Youth

• Education: Politicized; schools taught socialist ideology; Abitur required political reliability.

• FDJ youth group activities reinforced party loyalty; dissent discouraged.

• Limited career choices → focus on state-prioritized industries.

5. Heimat

• Love of Heimat (homeland) fostered loyalty to GDR and fear of the West → 1955: HEIMATKUNDE made compulsory in schools.

6. Failure

• Migration: 1945–52 → 3m fled to West Germany.

• 1953 Uprising: 1m protested Stalin’s death, shortages & conscription; USSR crushed revolt w. 20k troops → 32 executed → GDR’s dependence on Stasi for social control.