The Transformation of Germany

Paper Summary:

This paper examines Germany's economic and political development throughout the world wars and up until the twenty first century. The paper explains that what was formerly West Germany, now part of the re-unified Germany, achieved a major period of development after World War II to become the economic powerhouse in Europe. The paper looks at how after the first World War, the victorious Allies sought both to punish Germany and to assure that Germany would not be able to attack her neighbors again. The effort failed and, in fact, backfired giving Germany more reason to try to reassert her power. The paper points out that after World War II, the victors handled the situation differently, dividing Germany in two and imposing various means of monitoring the situation. The paper then discusses how Germany remained divided until the fall of the Soviet Union, after which East and West Germany re-united. In conclusion, the paper shows that the nation clearly made a major shift after World War II and continues to benefit from that shift to this day.

Outline:
The Unified German State
Germany After World War II
West Germany
Germany and Europe
Germany Recovery
Reunification

From the Paper:

"At the end of World War I, curtailing German power and punishing her for her transgressions was coupled with direct efforts to eliminate the German problem. The war had taken its toll on Germany, which is why the other European powers were able to force her to sue for peace. World War I was seen as the triumph of Western liberalism represented by the British, American, and French traditions, over the German Bismarckian tradition. The changing of the borders of Germany and the accompanying creation of new national states that also adopted the liberal traditions showed which tradition had won."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Eglin, D.R. (1991). Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany): Chapter 4A. Character and structure of the economy. Countries of the World. Retrieved May 2, 2007 from http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-28386863.html.
• Europa World Yearbook 1993 (1993). London: Europa Press.
• Germany (2007, April 17). CIA World Fact Book. Retrieved May 3, 2007 from https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/gm.html.
• Judt, T. (2005). Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945. New York: Penguin.
• Kettenacker, L. (1997). Germany since 1945. Oxford: Oxford University Press

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