Economic Divergence: GDR Planned Economy vs. West German Wirtschaftswunder (1949–1989)

1. West German growth accelerates in Wirtschaftswunder

   Jun 20, 1948Labels: Wirtschaftswunder, Federal Republic

   • Britannica
   • Britannica

2. Comecon is founded; GDR later joins

   Jan 1, 1949Labels: Comecon, GDR

   • Britannica
   • Britannica

3. West German Basic Law takes effect

   May 23, 1949Labels: Basic Law, Federal Republic

   • Bundesregierung
   • Deutschlandmuseum

4. German Democratic Republic is proclaimed

   Oct 7, 1949Labels: German Democratic, Soviet zone

   • Britannica
   • Deutschlandmuseum

5. GDR launches first Five-Year Plan

   Jan 1, 1951Labels: Five-Year Plan, GDR

   • GHDI
   • Britannica

6. West Germany signs the Treaty of Rome

   Mar 25, 1957Labels: Treaty of, Federal Republic

   • Britannica
   • EuroParl

7. GDR completes forced farm collectivization drive

   Apr 14, 1960Labels: Collectivization, GDR

   • Deutschlandmuseum
   • Britannica

8. Berlin Wall construction begins, sealing labor flight

   Aug 13, 1961Labels: Berlin Wall, GDR

   • NATO
   • Britannica

9. GDR introduces the New Economic System reforms

   Jan 1, 1963Labels: New Economic, GDR

   • GHDI
   • Britannica

10. West Germany adopts Stability and Growth Law

    Jun 8, 1967Labels: Stability and, Federal Republic

    • GHDI
    • Bundestag

11. Honecker shifts GDR to “unity” social policy

    May 1, 1971Labels: Honecker, Unity Policy

    • Britannica
    • Britannica

12. Both German states join the United Nations

    Sep 18, 1973Labels: United Nations, FRG &

    • GHDI
    • UN

13. Schürer report warns of GDR economic insolvency risk

    Oct 30, 1989Labels: Sch rer, GDR

    • BStU
    • Britannica

14. Berlin Wall opens, accelerating economic reunification path

    Nov 9, 1989Labels: Berlin Wall, Reunification

    • GHDI
    • ArchivesEurope

15. Monetary, economic, and social union takes effect

    Jul 1, 1990Labels: Monetary Union, Reunification

    • GHDI
    • DW