Preview

How Did Germany Contribute To The Collapse Of The Berlin Wall

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1486 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
How Did Germany Contribute To The Collapse Of The Berlin Wall
Germany went through periods of crises both before and after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. These crises put Germany in a hole each time and they had to change their thinking so that the country could rebuild. Germany itself did not become a country until 1871, but it has already gone through many challenges. For example, Germany was a heavy contributor to World War I and an even bigger contributor during World War II. In addition, Germany was also heavily involved in the Cold War. These events resulted in Germany being on the losing end and it put Germany into an economical hole. However, the rethinking and rebuilding was done by the persistent people and leaders of Germany. The country rebuilt from World War I’s aftermath and from the 28 years in which the Berlin Wall was standing. In each case, the country overcame many obstacles. The first example of Germany rebuilding is after World War I when it lost the war. This resulted in the Treaty of Versailles which created new boundaries for Germany, destroyed the German army, and also put many financial obligations on Germany. After this, Germany went through a Great Inflation period in which 8.9 reichsmark per US$1 in 1918 went to 4.2 trillion …show more content…
The problem was obvious as the per-capita GDP was 40 percent less in East Germany than West Germany and the labor productivity in the East was 30 percent less than the West. These statistics show the differences between the two separate areas. However, to help combat the problem, West Germany helped fund many projects across East Germany. For example, West Germany invested $586.5 billion in East Germany on its infrastructure, transportation, housing, and environmental protection. This was a great step in the right direction as the West Germans were trying to help the

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    By the outbreak of WWI in August 1914, Germany was well-established as a major and prominent world power. Such an achievement could be seen in the countrys industrial and economic strength, overseas colonies, extensive trading interests and its vast army. Prior to the war of 1914, the people of Germany had a strong sense of pride, largely owing to their autocratic government and militaristic background. However, within five years, Germany was shattered, its armies on the Western front were in retreat, its citizens were in poverty and the monarchy lead by Kaiser Wilhelm II had abdicated in favour of a republic before the signing of the Versailles Treaty.…

    • 1837 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Outside of America’s rebuilding process, bad things were happening in Europe. In Europe, Adolf Hitler came into power and created the Third Reich. He was posing a major threat to the world as he was arming himself for a massive assault, against the Treaty of Versailles. France and Britain warned Germany against these actions as the League of Nations, but the warning was ignored and in the end Germany left the League of Nations.…

    • 722 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The changes in Germany society between 1918 and 1933 can be accounted for by a multitude of reasons. After World War 1 the Kaiser abdicated and new liberal republic was formed known as the Weimar Republic. After this due to the Treaty of Versailles, France occupied the Ruhr leading to a period of hyperinflation crippling the standard of German society. Recovering from this during the Stresemann years allowed a new rise until the Great Depression caused a massive change in German society. The rise of the Nazi Party afterwards caused a large stir and this was shown completely once Hitler became chancellor causing a complete shift in society.…

    • 1649 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    After World War one Germany was left in ruins due to the harsh treatment they got, for starting the First World War and causing the death of millions. At first it was not that bad for them, however after a few months things…

    • 1529 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Germany found itself in a bad situation and then found an amazing…

    • 638 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Articles of Confederation was an effective tool for governing the states after the revolutionary war and effectively addressed some of the problems facing the nations; however, they were not completely effective in solving all the problems after the war. The four main issues after the Revolutionary war that the Articles of Confederation dealt with were economic problems, western territory issues, foreign nation issues, and violence issues.…

    • 801 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hitler's Economic Miracle

    • 1001 Words
    • 5 Pages

    After some rough years came a better time for Germany. The years 1924 to 1929 are now known as “The Golden Years”. It became peaceful and USA lent Germany a lot of money. The economy was then rebuilt and unemployment was reduced. People began to feel more secure. But that time didn’t last long. The collapse of the American economy after the Wall Street Crash during 1929 had huge consequences on a lot of countries in Europe. Unemployment and poverty was growing more and more between 1929 and 1933.…

    • 1001 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Many problems began for Germany when World War II began, but by the end of the war Germany was a disaster waiting to happen. After WWII was over Germany found itself split between France, the United States, Britain, and the Soviet Union, each country controlling a part. Berlin, which was surrounded by the Soviet Union, was also divided into four sections. The Soviet Union was in control of half of Germany, and it happened to be the East half of the Germany. The Soviet Union made East Berlin the capital of East Germany. The other three counties were each in control of a small part of what was to be West Germany. These three countries decided that they would come together to form one country out of their three sections. Those three sections formed West Germany.…

    • 986 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Oskar Schindler Quotes

    • 1463 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Before WWII Germany faced many hardships with their weak government system, false propaganda and religious issues. After WWI, Germany was in major economic crisis and the weak government, Weimar Republic could not handle it. The Germans needed a new leader and a new government plan; fast. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum states, “Still fresh in the minds of many was Germany's humiliating defeat fifteen years earlier during World War I, and Germans lacked confidence in their weak government,…

    • 1463 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In World War I, Germany lost some of its territory and also saw a reduction in its armed forces. The Versailles Treaty demanded the recognition of its guilt for the war, and on top of that made…

    • 1401 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    LPI

    • 1802 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Based on your profile from the Personal Values Assessment, describe three important values that guide your work and life. Were you surprised by the results? What would you add from your own thoughts about what is important to you as you lead and work?…

    • 1802 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    From 1919 and 1923, Germany’s political instability reflected the serious economic problems that Germany was encountering. Germanys Versailles Treaty’s required that Germany make payments to the victorious allies in recognition of their guilt for provoking the war. In 1933 the power of the radical German nationalism grew strongly. Many Germans remained loyal to the Polish Republic, there were many Social Democrats that did not welcome the Wehrmacht and they were murdered by Nazi authorities.…

    • 1292 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    After World War II Germany was left devastated and in ruins. There had been massive destruction of the country’s infrastructure (Bessel 2011), it lacked political structure and economic activity had plummeted. There was a scarcity of food, fuel and housing and Germany was in no condition to clothe or feed its population (O’Dochartaigh 2003).…

    • 1210 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Holocaust Outline

    • 1861 Words
    • 8 Pages

    After the First World War, Germany had suffered a major loss. France, Great Britain, the United States, Russia, and other small countries went against Germany,…

    • 1861 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    energy drink

    • 2995 Words
    • 12 Pages

    1. When we say that something gives us "energy”, what does that mean? What is a biological definition of energy?…

    • 2995 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Powerful Essays