2. Higher population quality and labor quality.
3. Correct economic development planning: establish a social market economic system, improve social security and give priority to the development of science and technology.
4. Relatively peaceful and stable international and domestic environment
Political aspects 1. Great economic development.
2. Establishment of the European Union (main sponsor)
3. The merger of East Germany and West Germany
As one of the forces of peace, foreign policy is effective.
Germany, which was defeated after World War II, not only faced the serious economic downturn brought by the war, but also split into two countries because of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, which led to the separation of the unified economy. However, after the war, the economy of the Federal Republic of Germany developed rapidly. By the early 1960s, the economic development once again surpassed that of Britain and France. What are the reasons for the rapid economic development of the Federal Republic of Germany? What impact has it had on the development of world history?
First, the reasons for economic development
1, relying on its powerful technology. The Federal Republic of Germany has a solid scientific and technological foundation. After the war, the German government encouraged scientific research departments and economic departments to cooperate to promote technological innovation, so that the development and innovation of national technology were carried out by enterprises according to the needs of the market, and they received economic assistance from the state and enjoyed preferential tax policies.
2. Use foreign capital. The Marshall Plan in the early postwar period increased the industrial development funds of the Federal Republic of Germany, expanded employment, increased taxes, introduced new technologies and equipment, and accelerated economic development.
3. Demilitarization of the national economy. After the war, Germans could not play an important role in the world. They put all their energy into economic construction and defeated the victorious country in a short time economically.
4. The relaxation of the contradiction between France and Germany and the beginning of the process of European integration. After World War II, the development of France and Germany stepped out of the vicious circle of revenge and embarked on the road of "European independence". 195 1 In April, six European countries, represented by France and the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany), formally signed the Coal and Steel Joint Venture Treaty, which brought the coal and steel resources that caused the centuries-old conflict between the two countries on the French-German border under the joint management organization of the two countries, thus ending the root of the dispute between the two countries and fundamentally correcting the relationship between France and Germany. 1958, the six countries formed the European economic isomorphism and the European atomic energy isomorphism. The increasingly United Europe has become an important force independent of the United States and the Soviet Union, which has promoted the improvement of the relationship between France and Germany and the development of the German economy.
5. Strengthen state intervention in economy and develop state monopoly capitalism. The German federal government has established a state-owned economy, formulated laws and policies to regulate the national economy, carried out effective macro-management of the economy, and emphasized that the economy operates according to market rules, which has effectively promoted economic development.
6. Carry out social and political reforms. After the war, Germany eliminated fascism, established a democratic country, endowed people with certain democratic rights, promoted a wider social welfare system, prevented people from extreme poverty and social unrest, and created a relatively stable social situation for the development of capitalism.
7. The people in the Federal Republic of Germany have high labor quality and their hard work. 1950, there were 6,543.8+million college students in the Federal Republic of Germany, with an average of 265.438+0 college students among 654.38+ 0,000 residents, which increased to 465.438+0,000 and 654.38+0,000 residents with an average of 68 college students in 654.38+0,000 residents. In addition, the Federal Republic of Germany also attaches great importance to the amateur education of workers. Thanks to education and training, the scientific knowledge and technical level of workers employed in the Federal Republic of Germany have generally improved, and the professionalism of the people of the Federal Republic of Germany has greatly promoted the economic take-off of the Federal Republic of Germany.
First, although West Germany was destroyed by the war, a strong industrial base still exists, which is the basis for the rapid recovery and development of West Germany's industry after the war.
First of all, during World War II, the bombing targets of the allied forces against West Germany were mainly concentrated on the military industry, which was an opportunity for the allied forces to update their technology. Weakening military power is far more beneficial to them than weakening industrial power. The British and American air forces, especially the US military, consciously protected some enterprises in order to have the strength to fight against the Soviet Union. Therefore, although the two industrial zones in Rusal have been destroyed, they can still resume production after several months of repair. Henry morgan Sow pointed out in the book "Germany is Our Problem" that the Ford factory in Koren enjoys the same "inviolable" rights as the cathedral in Koren. Rusem Automobile Factory, Khost Joint Chemical Plant and Salzjik Metallurgical Joint Plant in Lower Saxony were not damaged. Although the chemical industry in Ruhr and Saar districts has been destroyed, it can resume production after several months of repair. According to the estimation of the US Bombing Command, only 6% of the steel production capacity in Germany was damaged by bombing, while that in West Germany was 12%. Coal mine output decreased by 2%, coke decreased by 4%, and machine manufacturing decreased by 15%. The metal processing machine tool was damaged by 6.5%. 1945 12 12 Colonel Bostam reported to a panel of the US Senate Armed Services Committee: "German industry is 75% safe and easy to recover under any circumstances."
The second point is that Britain, the United States and France divided West Germany into three occupied areas and implemented different policies in their respective control areas. France needs the finished products produced in Saar area to be shipped back to France as compensation. Britain needs Germany to expand overseas markets, especially in Ruhr and Atlantic ports. On the other hand, the United States needs the support of West Germany to counter the expansion of Soviet power in Europe. East Germany and West Germany are like respective territories of capitalism and capitalist struggle. According to the policy of "non-industrialization", the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Allied Forces formulated the policy directive 1067, which stipulated that all German military factories and heavy industry factories used for compensation should be demolished, and the specified demolition list involved 1600 enterprises and their equipment. However, this policy directive has not been seriously implemented. 1In June, 946, American Secretary of State Berners publicly stated in his speech in Stuttgart: "The United States no longer pursues the policy of strengthening Europe and weakening Germany." He declared, "Germany is a part of Europe. If Germany with a huge industry becomes a slum, the reconstruction of Europe, especially the reconstruction of neighboring countries in Germany, will be very slow. " 1947 In July, the Joint Chiefs of Staff formulated the policy directive 1779, which replaced the policy directive 1067, and proposed that "an orderly and prosperous Europe needs a stable and efficient Germany to make economic contributions". "1In August, 947, the Anglo-American dual-occupation area revised its restrictive policy on West German industry. On June 1948 and 1 day, Britain, the United States and France signed a six-nation agreement with the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, declaring the Ruhr area under international control. Germany participates in European reconstruction plan.
Due to the policy of western countries to foster and restore West Germany's industry, West Germany has retained the basis for rapidly restoring industrial production. According to Professor hamson's estimation, if the whole strip is dismantled 10-25%, the production capacity of precision machines and optical instruments will drop by 20%, the production capacity of synthetic fuels will drop by 20%, the chemical production capacity lost by dismantling will be 6%, and the transportation machinery will be dismantled by 8%, with little loss in other industrial sectors. Before the war, Germany's three major industrial areas, Ruhr and Saar, were all in West Germany, while the Democratic Germany only had Silesia. According to the estimation of 1946, West Germany accounts for 63% of the total industrial output value, 67% of basic materials, 62% of means of production and 60% of means of consumption. So after the war, West Germany retained a strong industrial base.
Two. The Influence of Marshall Plan on West Germany
In the early post-war period, the biggest problem facing West Germany's economic revival was the lack of funds. As the saying goes, a clever woman can't cook without rice. Without start-up capital, everything is empty talk. At that time, people's livelihood was also a big problem. If you don't have enough food, you won't work energetically. In this case, revival is even more difficult. The Marshall Plan was a timely help to West Germany. At that time, Marshall believed that the only way to eliminate the expansion of capitalism in Europe was to restore the European economy as soon as possible. Therefore, with his efforts, 654.38+0.3 billion dollars of funds flowed into West Germany for reconstruction in the form of loans and direct assistance. These funds helped to restore industrial and agricultural production, stabilize finance, expand trade, and promote the upgrading of equipment in the chemical, engineering and steel industries. The plan also introduced the advanced business management concept of the United States, which effectively promoted the hematopoietic rebirth of enterprises. By 1956, West Germany had invested 100 billion marks with this fund, which greatly alleviated the shortage of funds. It is estimated that the Federal Republic of Germany has participated in the Marshall Plan since 1949, and the per capita subsidy is 140 mark. According to 1952, the book "American government's foreign aid" published in Washington, by 1948, the United States * * * spent 21400 million dollars and Britain spent 900 million dollars. The money is mainly used to buy food and rarely used for production. Most of the income from the sale of these foods is used for the expenses of the military authorities; Part of the money lent to German industrialists to resume production.
According to statistics, in the two months from 1954 to 10, the western allies provided West Germany with 4.4 billion US dollars, including/kloc-0.7 billion US dollars, 800 million US dollars from Britain and 900 million US dollars from Marshall Plan. According to figures released by the U.S. Department of Commerce, from July 1945 to September 30 1955, U.S. government subsidies and credit loans to West Germany amounted to 3.868 billion dollars. From 1945 to 1947, the government grants and credit loans granted by the United Kingdom amounted to $900 million. The money is mainly used to restore industrial production. Another statistic we have seen is that in 1948- 1954, West Germany obtained * * * 7.298 billion US dollars from the military occupation authorities and the Marshall Plan, of which 3.852 billion was used for investment. The money is transported to West Germany in the form of materials, deposited in the federal bank, and then invested in industrial and mining enterprises as a fund.
In the early years of West Germany's economic recovery, foreign aid played a great role. Of course, this role gradually decreases with the economic recovery of West Germany itself. 1948 and 1949 foreign aid accounts for 5% of the national income of west Germany. 1948- 1950, 57% of the goods imported by west Germany were aided by the United States. The ratio of foreign loans to long-term investment in West Germany is 2.8% 1949, and 1950 Huawei10.3%; 195 1 5%, and then decrease year by year.
Third, "soft power": the use of human resources.
After World War II, West Germany retained a large number of skilled workers, and a large number of professional and technical personnel were not exhausted because of the war, which was the strong intellectual support of West Germany. This is the most precious wealth retained by West Germany after the war.
However, some studies show that in 1950, there were 654.38+million college students in West Germany, that is to say, there were 2 1 college students per110,000 residents. By 1970, there were 4 1000 college students, that is, there were 68 college students per 10000 residents. This is also the "intangible capital" of the revival of West Germany. In order to quickly restore the economy, the West German government attaches great importance to investment in science and technology and the development of education. Moreover, education-oriented has always been a tradition in Germany. Without a good education, there would be no prosperous Germany.
Of course, another reason that cannot be ignored is that the number of refugees from East Germany has reached about 6,543,800+100,000. It may have caused some unstable factors to West Germany at first. However, they soon became the labor force to restore the West German economy. First of all, these refugees are cheap labor. Their wages are very low. Thereby reducing the production cost of enterprises and improving the competitiveness of enterprises. Second, rely on their own knowledge and technology to resume production. Soon some of them rebuilt their factories, mainly producing export products, which is conducive to competition in the international market. Third, their age structure is reasonable, which is conducive to economic recovery.
4. Inherent advantages of geographical environment
West Germany has a considerable geographical advantage, with 78% of mines and 84% of metallurgical products produced in Germany. Before World War II, most of Germany's heavy industries and raw materials industries were concentrated in the west. 1936 west Germany accounts for 6 1% of China's total industrial output value, raw materials and basic materials production accounts for 66%, and infrastructure production accounts for 6 1%. Relatively few in the east. At the same time, there are two industrial zones in West Germany, Ruhr and Saar. They are the right-hand men of West German industry. On the other hand, the original industrial base in West Germany is strong, and the economic reconstruction is at a high level.
Verb (abbreviation of verb) "free market economy" and monetary reform
On this issue, first of all, I would like to mention one person, that is, Ludwig Erhard, who was then the director of economic management in the western occupied area. He is a neo-liberal representative of national economics and strongly advocates free market economy. He believes that real money can only play a role in the real market, and the real market should not have price control and rationing. Cancel the price control, cancel the product rationing system and implement a real market economy. Compared with the economic history of Germany as a whole, this is a successful battle. Although in the initial stage of the implementation of the free market economy, it was faced with problems such as rising prices, rising unemployment rate and inflation, but the advantages of the market economy soon emerged. Prices are becoming more and more stable, even its growth rate is far less than that of other capitalist countries, and productivity has also developed vigorously during this period.
While implementing the free market economy, with the support of the United States, West Germany also carried out monetary reform. Before World War II, the old imperial mark was about 654.38+07 billion, and it became 70 billion after World War II. Therefore, in the late World War II, the old imperial mark was worthless, and the American Happiness brand cigarettes served as currency in the German market. 1On June 20th, 948, the American occupation authorities carried out currency reform in West Germany. Convert 10 old imperial mark into 1 new German mark. In just a few weeks, all the securities, savings, bank deposits, mortgages, etc. The complete exchange of old imperial symbols. It was a very cruel exploitation, but it saved Germany. The exchange rate of the German mark against the US dollar is gradually rising. Empty shops are filled with all kinds of goods again, and people's lives are beginning to get on the right track.
Because of the free market economy, West Germany faces many problems. The gap between the rich and the poor is gradually widening, and the working people at the bottom are full of complaints. However, Erhard introduced the competition mechanism. Whoever works long hours and is efficient will have a job, otherwise he will be laid off. Such a competitive mechanism relies on exploiting the working people to accumulate the most primitive capital. Due to the competitive mechanism, capitalists blindly depress wages and gain higher profits from them. However, despite the widening gap between the rich and the poor, the overall social environment in West Germany is still in a stable state. Due to the destruction of the war, the people's most urgent desire is to repair their homes and rebuild a vibrant new Germany. Therefore, the people of West Germany worked hard and did their best.
Of course, another reason that cannot be ignored is that West Germany has developed an export-oriented economy in order to meet the needs of the world market. West Germany uses its strong industrial base and cheap labor to produce products with prices far lower than those of other countries. This makes the foreign trade market in West Germany develop rapidly, and the import and export trade grows rapidly. 1950, the trade deficit was $7210 million, and by 1960, it became a surplus.
The intransitive verb Korean War
In addition, it is also necessary to mention the Korean War. This is a very important opportunity for West Germany. Although Erhard strongly denied it, the Korean War did save the West German economy. ? (Erhard: Prosperity from Competitive Business 1983, p. 4 1). After the Korean War broke out, the United States and its allies needed West Germany to supply weapons and ammunition, and also needed West Germany to participate in the so-called "European defense." Therefore, the United States had to revise its "reduction policy" on West Germany's industry and technology. 1950 in may, new york's foreign ministers' meeting decided to change the prohibition on the production of shooting, slashing and stabbing weapons into restrictions on production and lift the restrictions on shipbuilding. Steel production is no longer restricted. 1950 steel output 1265438+ ten thousand tons, 1953 reached13.5 million tons. 1954 formulated the Resolution on Supervision of Industry, which further relaxed the conditions for restricting industrial production in West Germany. In the past, the production of synthetic rubber and synthetic fuel was prohibited, and the production of bearings was restricted. Now it only controls its production capacity. The regulations restricting the production of heavy machine tools, aluminum, synthetic ammonia and chlorine gas were cancelled, and there were no restrictions on chemical research.
After the Korean War broke out, a large number of ships ordered orders to fly to West Germany, demanding the construction of 2 million tons of new oil tankers and new cargo ships. Hamburg Port is the largest port in Germany. Hamburg port was severely damaged in World War II, and 70% of it has been restored to use by 1953. By the 1960s, the German Commercial Tire Team had 2,700 freighters with a total tonnage of 650,000 German. The Korean War changed the trade deficit of West Germany. 1950 has a foreign trade deficit of $3 billion, 195 1 foreign trade deficit of $0/billion, and 1 952 has a foreign trade deficit of $700 million. The observer Theodore H. White said: "The Korean War only brought benefits to the Germans quickly and unconditionally." The Economist magazine pointed out that; "1June, 950, the Korean War brought prosperity to the whole trade circle."
To sum up, it is the main reason for the rapid recovery and development of West Germany's economy after the war. Of course, there are other reasons, such as attaching importance to the development of science and technology.
Finally, it should be pointed out that the economic development speed of West Germany was higher than that of other capitalist countries in 1950s, which was due to the low starting point of West Germany, which was the result of the war destruction and the "non-industrialization" policy pursued by the postwar allies. By the mid-1960s, West Germany's "economic miracle" had ended, and it developed in step with other capitalist countries, and its development speed dropped to 5% of the average development level in Europe.
Second, the impact of economic development.
1, the impact on the world economic structure. The economic development of western Europe, represented by the Federal Republic of Germany, began to change the hegemonic position of the American economy after the war, and made the capitalist world economic structure move towards multipolarization.
2. Impact on the world political structure. With the economic development of the Federal Republic of Germany, the western European economy has caught up with or surpassed the United States in many fields, unwilling to be controlled and manipulated by the United States, and began to strive to improve its political and economic status. I hope to play a greater role in world affairs, no longer just obey the leadership of the United States, but also hope to establish an equal partnership with the United States, start attacking the hegemonic position of the United States, and promote the development of the international political structure towards multipolarization.
3. It is conducive to strengthening the process of European integration. Drawing lessons from history, the Federal Republic of Germany believes that only a united Europe can develop. Therefore, Germany has played an important role from the establishment of European coal and steel joint ventures to the establishment of European entities. Especially after Germany overtook Britain and France in economic development, Germany used its strong economic strength to force the European Free Trade Association organized by Britain to go bankrupt, which enabled Britain to formally join the European Union on 1973, thus strengthening European unity and promoting Europe.
In World War II, Germany, as a defeated country, was first driven out of the capitalist market. According to the "four modernizations" policy, that is, demilitarization, non-Nazism, decentralization and non-industrialization, Germany is facing a series of weakened or even eliminated plans in the economic, political and military fields. According to 1946' s "restricted industry plan" made in March, the so-called Morgenthau plan, the industrial capacity of Germany will be reduced to 50-55% of 1938, and the steel output will be reduced to14 of 1938, that is, from 22 million tons to. Cement is reduced to 1/2, lathe to110, automobile to 1/5, textile industry to L/2, and only civilian industries such as furniture, glass and bicycles are not restricted. However, since the second half of 1948, the economy of the Federal Republic of Germany has recovered rapidly, reaching the level of 1938+0 in 1949 and exceeding the level of 1936 in 1950. All industrial production has been restricted. However, West Germany can leap up in just over ten years, but it has incomparable advantages over other countries.