Germany 1871-1990
Breadth Essay Plans
,How far did the German economy change
1871-1990
Criteria: To what extent did the economy change across these 3
subperiods, while taking into account the existence of certain
continuations, which would not constitute change. Namely, 1871-
1914, 1914-45 and 1945-90.
Overall: Lots of change in the economy – overall trends remained
consistent 1871-1990 but a lot changed within individual sectors
of the German economy over the period. 1918-45 saw the most
change.
1871-1914:
- Agriculture:
o Semi-Continuity: Continued but intensified decline. Partly due
to Russian + American cheap imports -> political push for
tariffs
- Industry:
o Change: end of railway boom (1845 – 1870)
o Continuity: industry expanding still
o Change: Not just heavy industry (coal, steel, mining). Now a
‘second industrial revolution’ (chemicals, electricity, advanced
machinery)
AEG (electricity company) created
18% electrical output annual increase, 1890 – 1913
o Change: Due to the economic recession, many companies
were encouraged to merge forming big cartels of industry
such as Thyssen AG and Friedick Krupp AG
There was more stable employment due to this as it was
less likely that these large conglomerates would
collapse
Their stability encouraged confidence in the German
economy and so banks loaned more money, fueling
growth
o Change: By 1914, Germany produced 2/3 of Europe’s steel;
mined more than half of their coal; and led Europe in the
, production of chemicals, electrics, and cotton; and its currency
was almost as strong as the pound -> massive Change
- Trade and foreign relations:
o Change: Trade was able to increase due to Germany’s
improvements in its river and canal systems as well as due to
its increase in shipbuilding and thus its fleet
o Change: Chancellor Caprivi signed many commercial treaties
between 1890 – 94 and lowered tariffs on imports and
guaranteed an export market for German goods
Germany became a huge exporter and had the second
biggest world trade share (just behind Britain) by 1914
Their exports increased by £365 million
- Overall: Lots of Change
1914-1945:
- Agriculture:
o Change: Agricultural output plummeted during both World
Wars, especially in World War I due to the British naval
blockade, leading to severe food shortages and the "Turnip
Winter" (1916-1917). These shortages contributed to civilian
hardship and unrest. During the 1930s, Nazi policies
prioritized autarky, focusing on boosting agricultural self-
sufficiency to reduce reliance on imports.
o Continuity: Despite mechanization and modernization efforts,
agricultural productivity remained relatively low due to the
collapse of agricultural prices, diminishing labour force and
limited investment. Even in the Nazi era, Germany struggled
to achieve self-sufficiency in food production.
- Industry:
o Change: The industrial sector saw a massive reorientation
during World War I towards armaments and military supplies.
After a post-war collapse, the late 1920s marked a period of
recovery under the Weimar Republic. However, the Great
Depression (1929) caused industrial output to drop by almost
50%, leading to mass unemployment.
o Change (Nazi Era): From 1933 onward, under Nazi policies,
there was an aggressive rearmament program. The
government pushed for a "Four-Year Plan" in 1936 to prepare
the economy for war, which included heavy investment in
chemicals, armaments, and infrastructure (e.g., Autobahnen).
o Continuity: Despite Changes in output focus, industry
remained central to the economy. The trend towards heavy
industries, particularly coal, steel, and chemicals, continued
from the late 19th century. However, from 1933-1939, there
was also an expansion in consumer goods to gain popular
support
Breadth Essay Plans
,How far did the German economy change
1871-1990
Criteria: To what extent did the economy change across these 3
subperiods, while taking into account the existence of certain
continuations, which would not constitute change. Namely, 1871-
1914, 1914-45 and 1945-90.
Overall: Lots of change in the economy – overall trends remained
consistent 1871-1990 but a lot changed within individual sectors
of the German economy over the period. 1918-45 saw the most
change.
1871-1914:
- Agriculture:
o Semi-Continuity: Continued but intensified decline. Partly due
to Russian + American cheap imports -> political push for
tariffs
- Industry:
o Change: end of railway boom (1845 – 1870)
o Continuity: industry expanding still
o Change: Not just heavy industry (coal, steel, mining). Now a
‘second industrial revolution’ (chemicals, electricity, advanced
machinery)
AEG (electricity company) created
18% electrical output annual increase, 1890 – 1913
o Change: Due to the economic recession, many companies
were encouraged to merge forming big cartels of industry
such as Thyssen AG and Friedick Krupp AG
There was more stable employment due to this as it was
less likely that these large conglomerates would
collapse
Their stability encouraged confidence in the German
economy and so banks loaned more money, fueling
growth
o Change: By 1914, Germany produced 2/3 of Europe’s steel;
mined more than half of their coal; and led Europe in the
, production of chemicals, electrics, and cotton; and its currency
was almost as strong as the pound -> massive Change
- Trade and foreign relations:
o Change: Trade was able to increase due to Germany’s
improvements in its river and canal systems as well as due to
its increase in shipbuilding and thus its fleet
o Change: Chancellor Caprivi signed many commercial treaties
between 1890 – 94 and lowered tariffs on imports and
guaranteed an export market for German goods
Germany became a huge exporter and had the second
biggest world trade share (just behind Britain) by 1914
Their exports increased by £365 million
- Overall: Lots of Change
1914-1945:
- Agriculture:
o Change: Agricultural output plummeted during both World
Wars, especially in World War I due to the British naval
blockade, leading to severe food shortages and the "Turnip
Winter" (1916-1917). These shortages contributed to civilian
hardship and unrest. During the 1930s, Nazi policies
prioritized autarky, focusing on boosting agricultural self-
sufficiency to reduce reliance on imports.
o Continuity: Despite mechanization and modernization efforts,
agricultural productivity remained relatively low due to the
collapse of agricultural prices, diminishing labour force and
limited investment. Even in the Nazi era, Germany struggled
to achieve self-sufficiency in food production.
- Industry:
o Change: The industrial sector saw a massive reorientation
during World War I towards armaments and military supplies.
After a post-war collapse, the late 1920s marked a period of
recovery under the Weimar Republic. However, the Great
Depression (1929) caused industrial output to drop by almost
50%, leading to mass unemployment.
o Change (Nazi Era): From 1933 onward, under Nazi policies,
there was an aggressive rearmament program. The
government pushed for a "Four-Year Plan" in 1936 to prepare
the economy for war, which included heavy investment in
chemicals, armaments, and infrastructure (e.g., Autobahnen).
o Continuity: Despite Changes in output focus, industry
remained central to the economy. The trend towards heavy
industries, particularly coal, steel, and chemicals, continued
from the late 19th century. However, from 1933-1939, there
was also an expansion in consumer goods to gain popular
support
