Summary Notes on the living standards in Germany and West Germany 19189-89
17 views 0 purchase
Course
Unit 1G - Germany and West Germany, 1918-89
Institution
PEARSON (PEARSON)
A* student notes on the living standards in Germany and West Germany 1918-89. Has all the key facts and figures you need to remember, condensed into a visual note format.
LIVING STANDARDS Middle class Working class farmers
Weimar Hit hard by inflation, which wiped out Earning increased significantly 1924-29. 1922-24, farmer food
their savings. 1932 wages were 30% higher than they had been 1924. became valuable, and
1924, income of a member of the middle Legal changes = max 8 hour working day. inflation let them pay off
class had dropped by 60%. Welfare was 60% higher than what it had been 1913. their debts.
A greater share of worker income and increased power of unions. 1924-29, cheap imports
(During first world war) one district in ruined farmer produce +
Berlin, 90% of all children aged 2-6 were prices were driven down
undernourished. HOWEVER, mass unemployment was threatening. due to mass
unemployment.
Agricultural products
dropped by 25% 1927 + 30
Nazi destruction of unions, however there was Destruction of trade unions. Reduction of profits and
a ban on textiles and people found Working week increased 43hours to 47hours not enough money to pay
textiles hard to compete with big firms. Hourly rates were 3% lower in 1933 than in 1932. workers, can’t fill their
Women – average wage was half of a mans and often employed in jobs with the land.
Wealthy industrialists – destruction of lowest pay and status
trade unions allowed them to pay workers
less + longer days. T4 programme – over 70,000 people died from it.
Strength thorough joy programme provided many extras even through wages were Volkswagen scheme –
Set up national socialist people’s welfare regulated because industry was geared to war population – provision of loans, 1939 270,000 people
(NSV) – for those who ‘deserved’ help. medical care and extra food and vitamins for ‘suitable mothers’ saved money in a state-run
NSV ran mother and child programmes account towards buying
(Creches and kindergartens) – 1938 one – in effect lending the
responsible for 10,800 of them. state RM110 million.
1939 NSV had over 1,000,000 voluntary
workers.
FRG Car ownership rose from 2 million 1950 to 1 kg butter 1950 have to work for 3.39 mins. 1 kg butter 1990 have to work for 0.23 Living space is 30 square
12.1 million 1965 mins. metres by 1980 compared
In context – after war: Pay rose, trade unions were aware of inflations and asked for increased wages. to 19 square meters 1950.
1/5th of all housing had been Cheap cost of living, cheaper than communist GDR coffee was 4x as expensive in 1952 no flats had central
bombed flat + 1/3rd of that still GDR, heating, 1971 96% did.
standing was damaged. On average 1980 real personal income FRG cost of living 1990 = 107, UK cost of living 1990 = 133.3
was 6x what it had been 1949 By 1980s 90% of all people were covered by benefits and healthcare.
However social inequality deepened: By 1971 only 27% of Germans lived in social housing compared to 69% 1949.
1973 the top percent of all households
owned 78% of wealth. 1985 Germans were able to spend 48% of their disposable income on luxuries like
cars and travel compared to 33% 1957.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller ellshp. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $3.86. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
