The Marshall plan (1 Viewer)

[Poppo]

The US after ww2 decided to help Germany, Italy and other european countries to restart their economy and at the same time to fight the communism threatening Europe at that time.
What is amazing is that the destroyed Germany( half of it!), became after few years the richest and most developped country of Europe and even the weak Italy had a great economic boom.
While the winner UK stayed for long years bankrupted and in a great economic difficulty, even with "food rationing". History is wierd.

 

[Mitch]

Quite simply I would say that it was down to the fact that we fought for the entire war from start to finish. Not many countries on the allied side did that. We actually gave everything and, we were bombed and nearly starved to death by the u-boats. bombing of this country went on until very very late in the war with V weapons and some Luftwaffe units doing quick hit and run attacks.

It took britain longer to get back on its feet as we gave more to end the nazi cause. Germany it was realised by the US was a vital hub against the Russians in the cold war. Thats why their priorities changed and why so many germans were used by them to assist in the fight against the russian threat and the communist way. Read the works done by german generals like Halder on the russians and the way they fought and how to deal with them. Many senior US offices commissioned such works and actively forgot german war crimes on mass or by individuals to gain their ''expert'' knowledge of how to deal with the russians.
Mitch

 

[VIRIATO]

I think this speaks volumes about the German national character, I do admire the way they rebuilt after the war, and I do admire their work ethic. There are no perfect countries but I do admire what the Germans managed to build after WW2. Apparently they are now having a hard time dealing with countries that are quite different from them...^&grin.


Paulo

 

[The Military Workshop]

"Quite simply I would say that it was down to the fact that we fought for the entire war from start to finish. Not many countries on the allied side did that. We actually gave everything and, we were bombed and nearly starved to death by the u-boats. bombing of this country went on until very very late in the war with V weapons and some Luftwaffe units doing quick hit and run attacks"".

Totally agree on this point.

It was only a few years ago that UK paid off their WWII financial debt to the USA.

 

[Rob]

Quite simply I would say that it was down to the fact that we fought for the entire war from start to finish. Not many countries on the allied side did that. We actually gave everything and, we were bombed and nearly starved to death by the u-boats. bombing of this country went on until very very late in the war with V weapons and some Luftwaffe units doing quick hit and run attacks.

It took britain longer to get back on its feet as we gave more to end the nazi cause. Germany it was realised by the US was a vital hub against the Russians in the cold war. Thats why their priorities changed and why so many germans were used by them to assist in the fight against the russian threat and the communist way. Read the works done by german generals like Halder on the russians and the way they fought and how to deal with them. Many senior US offices commissioned such works and actively forgot german war crimes on mass or by individuals to gain their ''expert'' knowledge of how to deal with the russians.
Mitch

Very much agree here, being on the front line for years this country suffered greatly from uboat blockade and when Hitler switched to the robot bombing of civilians great damage was done, its a tribute to that generation of Britons who despite all the threats and privations held on and helped inflict the first and pivotal defeat on Hitler, very proud of every one of them.

I think this speaks volumes about the German national character, I do admire the way they rebuilt after the war, and I do admire their work ethic. There are no perfect countries but I do admire what the Germans managed to build after WW2. Apparently they are now having a hard time dealing with countries that are quite different from them...^&grin.


Paulo

Yeah lets not get carried away mate, they did fall in love with Hitler, they couldn't have been that savvy!^&grin

Rob

 

[Mitch]

Not so sure I would say that I admire the work ethic. They had the backing of the US in the western part of germany for a good while and, were able to prosper substantially through this aid. the western part of germany was lucky if one looks at the eastern part of germany who sat in the shadows through russian rule. Both germany and Japan both aggressors did and have done very well from starting many wars. Thats probably a topic in its own right.

I totally admire the way that we in britain built ourselves back up after the second world war. There was no great big hand out and prop up's we just got on and did what had to be done in true brit fashion.
Mitch

 

[damian]

Just as the Spanish Empire ultimately enerveated Spain and caused her to lag behind the rest of Europe in the 18-20 Century so I feel the remnants of the British Empire did the same for Britain. By 1945 the British Empire was an anacronism and and was in fact a drain on British resources and development. Italy and Germany did not have to fight any protratcted police actions and try and prop up any emerging new countries. Thye simpy could get on with developing themselves. The British had to try and police the remnants of an Empire. I think that is why in a number of ways Germany and Italy who were the aggressors in WWII have overtaken the UK in terms of modern industry. As far as I am aware Germnay, Italy, France and the Swedes still manufacture motor vehicles. I think the British motor industry which used to be a major player is now pretty much defunct.

 

[Poppo]

Just as the Spanish Empire ultimately enerveated Spain and caused her to lag behind the rest of Europe in the 18-20 Century so I feel the remnants of the British Empire did the same for Britain. By 1945 the British Empire was an anacronism and and was in fact a drain on British resources and development. Italy and Germany did not have to fight any protratcted police actions and try and prop up any emerging new countries. Thye simpy could get on with developing themselves. The British had to try and police the remnants of an Empire. I think that is why in a number of ways Germany and Italy who were the aggressors in WWII have overtaken the UK in terms of modern industry. As far as I am aware Germnay, Italy, France and the Swedes still manufacture motor vehicles. I think the British motor industry which used to be a major player is now pretty much defunct.

Damian, I advice you not to lose your time in writing in "historical discussions" anymore. The administrator of this forum only admits the thesis of his few friends and arbitrarily censors all the others...

 

[VIRIATO]

Well, when I spoke of the German national character I meant the post war period. I have an adoptive member of my family who is Austrian, he was adopted by my father's uncles during WWII, here in Portugal (people were receiving war refugees back then), and grew here, frankly he is a good example of what I admire in post war Germany and Austria, and of the way they not just rebuilt but got to grips with their past. Concerning the war period, I feel it happened with the Germans because of the historical circunstances that brought it on them, it might also have happened with others under the right (or should I say wrong) circunstances.No people are crime proof I guess...
Eastern Germany, well, under the USSR's commie paws not such a surprise a complete failure was brewing up...:redface2:.
Now I have to get to bed:tomorrow I need to wake up early and get my breakfast from my AEG fridge and then get driving my son to school and myself to work on my 9 year old but robust and dependable BMW (I've had 2 Volkswagen Golfs before), taking a look at the Audis, Volkswagens, Porsches and BMWs part of the morning traffic just next to the Deutsche Bank agency... Hmmm, and then maybe some Bockwurst sausages for lunch and a look at the Hadriansvilla website in the evening.^&grin
And then a few nightly thoughts on the lovely Viennaand Munich, such nice memories...^&grin

Paulo