Economic Recovery of Germany
The United States rushed to aid Western Germany to prove favorable to the Soviet-ruled East Germany. Western Germany was rebuilt and soon had a booming economy, continually funded by the U.S, and was called an “economic miracle.”
The reconstruction of Germany was a long process. After World War II,Germany had suffered heavy losses, both in lives and industrial power. 7.5 million Germans had been killed, roughly 11 percent of the population. The country's cities were severely damaged from heavy bombing in the closing chapters of the War and agricultural production was only 35 per cent of what it was before the war.
As soon as 1945, the Allied forces worked heavily on removing Nazi symbolism from Germany in a process dubbed as "denazifictaion ."
By mid-1947, the start of the Cold War had led to a re-consideration of policy, as the Germans were seen as possible allies in the conflict and the dawning realization that the economic recovery of Europe was dependent on the reactivation of German industry.
By mid-1947, the start of the Cold War had led to a re-consideration of policy, as the Germans were seen as possible allies in the conflict and the dawning realization that the economic recovery of Europe was dependent on the reactivation of German industry.