German Civilization: Adenauer and Post-War Germany - Essay Example

German Civilization (Adenauer and Post-War Germany) Marshall Plan was characterized by allowing economic recovery of Europe but specifically Germany. On the other hand, Morgenthau Plan involved coming up with measures that will dismantle Germany. It is the Morgenthau Plan that led to the partition of Germany into southern and northern region. Additionally, the Morgenthau Plan aimed at dismantling German industries complexes. Since the U.S. was interested in uniting Europe, she preferred the Marshall Plan to Morgenthau Plan. In connection with this, the paper aims at providing detailed information about the reasons as to why the U.S supported the Marshall Plan, as well as the repercussions for its support of the project (Turner 37). The paper will also expound on how the U.S benefitted from the support of Marshall Plan in the post-war period. The U.S. was not concerned only with uniting Europe; she also had some other issues that she believed will aid in meeting her objectives. For instance, it is evident that the U.S. wanted to win the battle for international supremacy in the majority of the industrialized states. She also wished to prevent the problems that had found their way into the American market. In addition to dealing with Soviet opposition, the U.S. also wanted to increase the productivity of the European nations. Additionally, it is evident that the U.S. wanted to involve itself into a socialist economy. During that time, the Western Europe was in destitute condition; the war had crippled most regions in the Western Europe. As a result of this, the U.S. wanted the Western Europe to reestablish itself (Turner 111). It is also evident that the U.S. believed that in supporting the Marshall Plan all projects undertaken will be signed by her. Apart from adding its gross domestic product, the U.S. wanted to access raw materials for her industries that were in Germany. In supporting Marshall Plan, the U.S. accepted the responsibility of carrying the debt of World War 1. The U.S. agreed to support the project by claiming that it will provide $10 billion. However, the cost of the project mushroomed to $17 billion; approximately 105 of the total cost involved in the support of World War 1. Among the things that the U.S. did in Germany as outlined in the project include replacement of rail tracks and locomotives. The U.S also rebuilt the entire infrastructure that was destroyed during the World War 1. It also revived the European coal industry which had crippled during the war in addition to boosting the Japanese economy. Additionally, the U.S was also forced to raise funds for the promotion of the communism stability. Despite all these efforts, denazification of Germany led to the destruction of many things that the U.S had managed to put together as well as bring back to existence. For instance, it is evident that over seven million people died in Germany despite the U.S.’s support of communism. The loss of the people greatly affected the economy of the U.S because it considered Germans as the potential market for its products. At the end of World War II, Germany was completely crippled. Most of its cities were destroyed extremely, with the absence of any civil government. The division of Germany into four different parts as per its colonials; the British, American as well as the French and Soviet-led to the loss of the resources the U.S had invested in uniting Germany as a state. Additionally, the division of Germany into portions resulted in isolation of Eastern Zone as well as the division of Berlin City into four sectors. This kind of division not resulted in the loss of the U.S. control of the Germany state, but also loss of the market for its products. Apart from splitting Germany into portions, the possession of Germany by different nations led to the dismantling of the Germany’s industry. This is evidenced by what France and Russia did; apart from dismantling Germany’s industry, the two nations also transported all the valuable things within their reach to their respective countries. As introduced above, the main reason for the U.S. supporting the Marshall Plan was to prevent other nations from taking its investments in Germany (Fulbrook 207). From this assertion and what happened in Germany during denazification, one can deduce that the U.S suffered a significant loss for supporting the project. Majority of the materials and other investments it had introduced to Germany were taken by other European nations. Many people were also convicted during the denazification of Germany, a practice that the U.S. was opposing. In other words, the U.S failed to become a superpower to other nations as it had anticipated during the support of the project. As it was introduced above, it is evident that the U.S aimed at promoting the economic development of Germany. Thus, the failure of the growth of Germany’s economy as a result of denazification made the U.S. fail significantly; it did not achieve its primary objective associated with its support of the Marshall Plan project. Despite making an involving decision, it is evident that the U.S. benefitted after the post-war period. For instance, it is clear that the domination of the U.S. in Europe became very significant as it had expected when it supported the Marshall Plan. The decision also made the U.S create a condition that would enhance effective control of many things from home. Additionally, it is evident that the war rejuvenated American capitalism; majority of the farmers benefitted from the decision because they sold their products at a magnificent price. It is also evident that the U.S profited economically from the recovery of Europe (Fulbrook 223). In conclusion, Marshall Plan and Morgenthau Plan were the plans of early 1940s that were interested in Germany. Morgenthau Plan advocated the split of Germany into four portions as well as dismantling of industries. Marshall Plan, on the other hand, supported rebuilding of Germany as well as enhancement of communism. The U.S supported Marshall Plan because it had an interest in Germany as well as it wanted to become a superpower of the nations. The support of the Marshall Plan led to the loss of resources in the U.S. because the investments were destroyed. Works Cited Fulbrook, Mary. A Concise History of Germany. pp. 205–235 Turner, Henry. Germany from Partition to Reunification. pp. 1–54 and 104–147 Read More