Adenauer and Post-War Germany
Introduction
The downfall of Germany after the Second World War is an outcome thought by many that time as deserving for a nation touted to have caused one of the most atrocious events in human history. The Nazi Party, which ran Germany under its terrible regime before and during the Second World War, has perpetrated a series of destructive actions that soon wrought havoc to the rest of the world. From the anti-Semitic platform of the Nazi Party that generated the Holocaust up to the unholy alliances with Italy, Japan and others under the Axis Powers that led to massive destruction of lives and properties in different parts of the world, Germany undoubtedly had the greatest responsibility to account for with
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However, the Morgenthau Plan did not take effect because the US itself saw the Marshall Plan as a strategic move to its interests, apart from the fact that it benefits West Germany more in its post-war recovery (Fulbrook 205-235; Hohn 17-51; Turner 1-54; 104-147).
The Decision to Implement the Marshall Plan and its Benefits to the United States (US) The reasons of the US for deciding to implement the Marshall Plan over the Morgenthau Plan involve both its own interests alongside that of West Germany. Firstly, from an economic perspective, allowing West Germany to become industrially powerful again would enable it to reestablish its economic credibility throughout Europe. At the same time, such would allow the US to have a strategic economic partner in Europe, hence enabling it to institute its influence firmly throughout the continent. Secondly, from a political perspective, turning West Germany into an economically influential nation in Europe would enable the US to have a key ally in its goal to contain the influence of the USSR in the continent during the early days of the Cold War. Without economic power, there is no other way for West Germany to become an influential figure in Europe, given its tarnished post-war image. At the same time, the US would have lost ground in Europe against the USSR had
The American policy of Marshall Aid sparked both huge appraisal and significant opposition, and to this day it is debated whether it was purely a policy of self-interest and an imposition of America’s political and economic views on a weak and vulnerable Europe, or alternatively one of the greatest acts of altruism and generosity in modern history. It was enormously successful, ‘It was the most unambiguously and triumphantly successful of all America’s post-war policies’ , and helped to create a foundation on which Europe could become an economic power. While there were benefits to America which may have been interpreted as attempts to increase American power and inflamed opposition to the Marshall Plan, the administering of economic aid
First and foremost, a great deal of Europe’s success would not have happened without its initial aid from the United States. After helping destroy so much of the continent, the U.S. pumped billions and billions of dollars back into the European economy through The Marshall Plan. It was named after Secretary of State George C. Marshall, who said “The world of suffering people looks to us for leadership. Their thoughts, however, are not concentrated alone on this problem. They have more immediate and terribly pressing concerns where the mouthful of food will come from, where they will find shelter tonight, and where they will find warmth. Along with the great problem of maintaining the peace we must solve the
In addition to the damaging consequences of the First World War with the requirements of the Treaty of Versailles, certain features of Germany caused the state to be susceptible to the influence of this dangerous ideology. Along with the damage to the national ego as a result of the First World War, Germany had co-existing and conflicting highly modern strands of development forced to integrate with powerful remnants of archaic values and social structures, and had a deeply fractured parliamentary political system, and the weaknesses of this system reflected the social and political differences within the population. This shame and failure after World War I was superimposed onto a modern country which once had an advanced economy, a sophisticated state
To a large extent the failure of the Schlieffen plan was the most significant reason for
Western Germany was to be remilitarized. The United States and other members of NATO decided to make Western Germany a member of NATO. The Soviets saw this to be a direct threat and responded with the Warsaw Pact. America saw the Warsaw Pact as a way of the Soviets spreading communism. The United States felt by including Western Germany in the Pact it would put them in danger of a new war and create a threat. Document 3 shows how NATO responded to the creation of the Warsaw Pact. This document outlines the conditions under which Western Germany agrees to ally with the members of NATO. By the United States uniting with Western Germany the Soviets felt they needed to make alliances. Document 4 is important in relation to the Warsaw Pact because it details the event. The United States admittance of Western Germany was a strategy in dealing with the USSR. The Soviets would use Western Germany in terms of promoting themselves with use of propaganda. Also indebting them and reminding of the Soviets role in liberating them. The United States no longer wanted this influence to take place. The purpose of this document was to inform people about why the Warsaw Pact was such a controversial
Between the years of 1930 and 1941 american foreign policy changed how it worked and its goals. They changed because of the threats in the outside world and because of all the absolute need for us to get involved in the war. During this time the world war was restarting in Europe and was leaving no choice except for the United States to get involved in the war. People were dissolving treaties and fighting and the united states could not remain neutral if they hoped to avoid losing their allies. The united states foreign policy changed because of threats and because of the need in Europe.
American's involvement in World War I was greatly influenced by the Zimmerman Telegram that was received from London. Prior to receiving it, the United States proceeded to be neutral, however, their stance changed. As proposed in the telegram, the Alliance Germany had with Mexico and Japan was intended to creat a new front which would distract the U.S.; this would aid in Germany's favor (document 2). Germany needed this advantage as depicted in document 3. It shows how the German u-boats we're sinking and were being defeated. Another factor that played in the change of involvement was the right of democracy. It was portrayed in Woodrow Wilson's speech that he believed the United States shouldn't be selfish
The "Marshall Plan" created by United States Secretary of State George Marshall and the "Molotov Plan" created by Soviet Foreign Minister Molotov were
Continuing to act as police of the world and leader of capitalism, Truman drafted the Marshall Plan. The Marshall Plan, which complemented the Truman Doctrine, "was a program of large scale economic and military aid to Europe." Considered by some, this was the most "innovative piece of foreign policy in American History. Where over the next four years the United States contributed over $12 billion to a highly successful recovery effort." The Soviet Union stilled commanded a blockade on highway, rail, and river traffic to West Berlin. As a result, the United States responded by entering into a peacetime military alliance; this being the first time since the American Revolution.
In 1948 the Soviet Union established a land blockade of any nations bringing supplies into certain sections of Berlin. After this the U.S and its allies decided that it would drop airlifted supplies directly into Berlin. This movement by The Soviets was in response to failed joint agreement to stabilize Germany’s economy, government and way of life after its razing after World War II. After the talks failed the U.S felt as though its Marshall Plan must be enacted even if the Soviets did not wish to participate. This plan offered help to all Eastern European Nations including the Soviet Union for anyone that would participate with America. (Marshall PLan)
With over 13 billion dollars in aid being delivered to Europe under the Marshall Plan, from 1948 to 1952 many European economies grew at an unprecedented rate. The mutual assistance of the aid led to softening of national competition between many countries in Europe, and served the dual purposes of modernization and cooperation for European countries. At the same time as the Marshal plan was being implemented, the Soviet Union enacted what was know as the, “Cominform” that sought to counter the American influence in post war Europe. This program organized by the Kremlin would work with communist parties in European countries through propaganda efforts to
Next, we had to have had some allies, right? Our policy was to maintain balance of power in Europe. Germany’s growing power made us become allies with traditional
When looking into the history of Germany and determining what led to the startling rise in Nazism in Germany and its detrimental effects on the social outcasts in Europe, it can be easy to deduce that the Nazi regime was one where Hitler walked in with his officials and took office by force. The truth is that, while the Nazi party is responsible for the atrocities that occurred before and during WWII, they would have not gotten far if it hadn’t been for the cooperation of the German people themselves. Life in the Third Reich provides proof through voting, youth programs and village life that the Nazi party rose into power with German support.
Three factors include Germany’s chancellor, Konrad Adenauer, the Marshall Plan as well as the belief of anti-fascism by the British and the United States.
However, the other remaining two-thirds only had to be paid if Germany could afford to do so in a manner that would not harm Germany’s economic development. UK’s representatives thought that the terms were too generous towards Germany, but the committee still presented the plan in June 1929 then were formally adopted in January 1930. Prior to the Wall Street Crash and America’s reversion to isolationism, there had been a desire by the US to see Weimar Germany develop as an economic powerhouse. Businessmen in America saw two benefits in this. Firstly, Weimar Germany could have become a valuable trading partner with the USA. Secondly, there was the constant fear that communism might spread from the USSR into Germany. Although the Young plan had effectively reduced Germany's obligations, it was opposed by parts of the political spectrum in Germany. Conservative groups had been most outspoken in opposition to reparations and seized on opposition to the Young Plan as an issue. A coalition was formed of various conservative groups under the leadership of Alfred Hugenberg, the head of the German National People's