'Freie Bahn dem Marshallplan'?

The West German reaction to the european recovery program 1947-1952

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science
Cover of the book 'Freie Bahn dem Marshallplan'? by Franziska Gerhardt, GRIN Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Franziska Gerhardt ISBN: 9783638031714
Publisher: GRIN Publishing Publication: April 4, 2008
Imprint: GRIN Publishing Language: English
Author: Franziska Gerhardt
ISBN: 9783638031714
Publisher: GRIN Publishing
Publication: April 4, 2008
Imprint: GRIN Publishing
Language: English

Seminar paper from the year 2004 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Region: Western Europe, grade: 1,0, Humboldt-University of Berlin (Institut für Sozialwissenschaften), course: Die USA und die Modernisierung Europas, 17 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: On 5 June 1947, the US-Secretary of State, George C. Marshall, in his later famous speech at Harvard University proposed a reconstruction program for Europe. Ten months later, on 2 April 1948, the Foreign Aid Act was passed by the US Congress. Thus, the European Recovery Program (ERP), more commonly called the 'Marshall Plan', came into effect. It was the biggest ever project of international economic cooperation in times of peace. Between 1948 and 1952, the goods and services provided for Europe by the U.S. amounted to 13 billion dollars . Sixteen European nations took part in the program, and West Germany, after Great Britain, France, and Italy, was the fourth biggest receiver of American support . This money played a crucial role in creating the West German 'Wirtschaftswunder' and integrating the country into the West. Much has been written about the Marshall Plan, also from a German perspective. Its development, the institutions organising it and its consequences have all been described in detail by political scientists and historians alike. This paper sets a different focus and concentrates on the West German reception of the Marshall Plan. How did the West Germans react to the European Recovery Program, only three years after their ultimate defeat, with their economy destroyed, their cities bombed to rubble and their collective conscience having by no means confronted the guilt of Fascism? Was it really all 'Freie Bahn dem Marshallplan '? Up to now, this very aspect has been nearly unexplored, so there is not much literature about it. In any case, I have tried to base my essay on as many sources as possible to be able to offer a balanced analysis, my main sources for the German perspective being the books and articles by Berghahn, Foschepoth, Pommerin, and Wagner . The essay is structured in such a way that, after a brief introduction to the subject, the German reception of the Marshall Plan will be overviewed in three different areas: The reactions in the press, the reactions in the opinion surveys that were conducted by the American occupation forces from 1946 onwards, and finally the viewpoints of the political parties. Subsequently, an attempt to explain the German reception will be provided by taking a closer look at the situation in Germany before the Marshall Plan and by analysing the different German fears and concerns about American economic policy, before coming to a conclusion. The time frame of the essay spans from 1947 to 1952.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Seminar paper from the year 2004 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Region: Western Europe, grade: 1,0, Humboldt-University of Berlin (Institut für Sozialwissenschaften), course: Die USA und die Modernisierung Europas, 17 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: On 5 June 1947, the US-Secretary of State, George C. Marshall, in his later famous speech at Harvard University proposed a reconstruction program for Europe. Ten months later, on 2 April 1948, the Foreign Aid Act was passed by the US Congress. Thus, the European Recovery Program (ERP), more commonly called the 'Marshall Plan', came into effect. It was the biggest ever project of international economic cooperation in times of peace. Between 1948 and 1952, the goods and services provided for Europe by the U.S. amounted to 13 billion dollars . Sixteen European nations took part in the program, and West Germany, after Great Britain, France, and Italy, was the fourth biggest receiver of American support . This money played a crucial role in creating the West German 'Wirtschaftswunder' and integrating the country into the West. Much has been written about the Marshall Plan, also from a German perspective. Its development, the institutions organising it and its consequences have all been described in detail by political scientists and historians alike. This paper sets a different focus and concentrates on the West German reception of the Marshall Plan. How did the West Germans react to the European Recovery Program, only three years after their ultimate defeat, with their economy destroyed, their cities bombed to rubble and their collective conscience having by no means confronted the guilt of Fascism? Was it really all 'Freie Bahn dem Marshallplan '? Up to now, this very aspect has been nearly unexplored, so there is not much literature about it. In any case, I have tried to base my essay on as many sources as possible to be able to offer a balanced analysis, my main sources for the German perspective being the books and articles by Berghahn, Foschepoth, Pommerin, and Wagner . The essay is structured in such a way that, after a brief introduction to the subject, the German reception of the Marshall Plan will be overviewed in three different areas: The reactions in the press, the reactions in the opinion surveys that were conducted by the American occupation forces from 1946 onwards, and finally the viewpoints of the political parties. Subsequently, an attempt to explain the German reception will be provided by taking a closer look at the situation in Germany before the Marshall Plan and by analysing the different German fears and concerns about American economic policy, before coming to a conclusion. The time frame of the essay spans from 1947 to 1952.

More books from GRIN Publishing

Cover of the book US foreign policy in 21st century by Franziska Gerhardt
Cover of the book International Celebrity Endorsement in the case of l'Oréal by Franziska Gerhardt
Cover of the book Diritto internazionale per filosofi by Franziska Gerhardt
Cover of the book Preconditions for Contingency Fee Agreements in Australia and Germany by Franziska Gerhardt
Cover of the book Functional food: health care or profitable business? by Franziska Gerhardt
Cover of the book A Study of Sharpe's asymmetric beta model by Franziska Gerhardt
Cover of the book Entry strategies in the Chinese market by Franziska Gerhardt
Cover of the book State, cartels and growth: The German Chemical Industry by Franziska Gerhardt
Cover of the book Review of Human Behavior Research by Franziska Gerhardt
Cover of the book Marvell's 'Horatian Ode' as a Political Poem by Franziska Gerhardt
Cover of the book The Easter Enlargement of the European Union - a successful story? by Franziska Gerhardt
Cover of the book The Success of Amiri Baraka's Play Dutchman by Franziska Gerhardt
Cover of the book Aid and conditionality: Enhancing good governance in sub-Saharan Africa by Franziska Gerhardt
Cover of the book Lester Burnham's pursuit of happiness: the film 'American Beauty' and its socio-cultural and spiritual dimensions by Franziska Gerhardt
Cover of the book Die religiösen Einflüsse in Rembrandts Selbstbildnissen by Franziska Gerhardt
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy