Question

After World War II, Germany was divided into East Germany, controlled by the Soviet Union, and West Germany, influenced by the allied western nations. However, from the very beginning, West Germany grew in leaps and bounds while East Germany remained far behind. Which of the following accounts for these results:

a) Culture

b) Education

c) Geography

d) None of the above

e) All of the above

Answer 1

Culture, education, and geography are the main factors contributing to the economic growth disparity between East and West Germany after World War II.

Step-by-step explanation:

The rapid growth of West Germany after World War II as compared to the stagnation of East Germany can be attributed to a combination of factors including culture, education, and geography.

Culture: The cultural differences between the two regions played a significant role in their economic development. West Germany embraced a capitalist system and focused on industrialization, free market policies, and innovation. In contrast, East Germany followed a communist ideology which hindered economic growth and limited individual freedoms.

Education: West Germany invested heavily in education, emphasizing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. This focus on education and skills development contributed to their economic success. In contrast, East Germany's education system was often limited to indoctrination and lacked the same focus on practical skills.

Geography: West Germany had access to key natural resources, such as coal and iron ore, which fueled its industrial growth. Its location also made it more accessible to international trade and investment. East Germany, on the other hand, faced resource shortages and was less integrated into global markets.

In conclusion, a combination of culture, education, and geography are responsible for the differences in economic growth between East and West Germany after World War II.