German Economic and Industrial History: 60s, 70s, 80s

1. German HistoryThe first division of Germany(1945-1949)

2. The 60's,70's& 80's: • 1961: construction of the Berlin wall • 1969: in 1969, the Chancellor Brandt announced that West Germany would remain firmly anchored to the Atlantic Alliance, but would have stepped up efforts to improve relations with Eastern Europe and the former East Germany. • 1972: the parliaments of the West and East, the German Democratic Republic, approve of the Basic Treaty that establishes the mutual recognition • 1989: The collapse of Berlin Wall

3. Current Germany 1990: German reunification took place on October 3 when the territories of the German Democratic Republic were incorporated in the then West Germany and then create five new Länder ("States"): Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. The status of West Germany reunified retained the name which was and still is the “Federal Republic of Germany”. • 2005: Angela Merkel became the Chancellor of Germany.

4. GERMAN ECONOMY Germany’s economic freedom score is 73.8, making its economy the 16th freest in the 2015 Index. Its overall score is up by 0.4 point from last year, with improvements in the management of public spending and labor freedom outweighing declines in freedom from corruption and business freedom. Germany is ranked 7th out of 43 countries in the Europe region, and its score exceeds the world and regional averages. Germany has achieved its highest score ever in the 2015 Index. Since 2011, a 2.0-point increase in economic freedom has been led by marked improvements in labor freedom and in policy areas related to market openness. Overall, economic freedom has increased in five of the 10 measured categories. Germany’s judicial system, independent and free of corruption, enforces contracts reliably. Openness to global trade and investment has enabled Germany to become one of the world’s most competitive and flexible economies. The government has held firm to policies emphasizing sound public finance, keeping spending under control through deficit-cutting measures. In response to changing economic conditions, employers and workers have worked to adjust wages and work hours.

5. GERMAN INDUSTRIES OF EXCELLENCE -AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY -FOOD INDUSTRY -BEVERAGE INDUSTRY

6. FOOD AND BEVERAGE INDUSTRY Germany’s food industry is not only driven by the commitment to deliver the very best, but also by a desire to actively respond to changing consumer wants and needs. Increasing health awareness, an aging population, and the resulting demand for health and wellness products have helped a number of previously niche market actors to become significant industry players. The demand for functional foods has established Germany as a European leader in the business. Within the past decade alone, the organic food segment experienced a threefold increase in sales. Germany stands at the forefront of food and beverage market development as it rises to meet the international challenge of increased demand for safe and healthy food. Germany’s food and beverage industry is the fourth largest industry sector in Germany – generating production value of EUR 150 billion each year. The industry is characterised by its small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector of about 6000 companies employing 550,000 people. The largest industry segments by production value are meat and sausage products (23%), dairy products (15%), confectionery (10%), and alcoholic beverages (9%). International Trade Exports of processed foods and agricultural commodities generate an approximate EUR 50 billion in sales each year. More than a quarter of all processed foods made in Germany are exported, with about 80% of all exports going to other EU member states. Although exports of Germany’s food industry reached an all-time high, the country is a net importer of food and beverage products and thereby the most important European market for foreign producers. Processed foods and agricultural commodities to the value of round about EUR 60 billion are imported each year.

7. AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY Germany and cars are connected by a long history. At the end of the 19th century, Carl Benz produced the first automobile. Today, Germany is the fourth-largest producer of automobiles worldwide, after Japan, the US and China. The automotive industry is considered the driving force of the German economy. The industry, which places a strong focus on qualifications, employed around 775,000 people in 2014 – including a high percentage of university. The number one export The industry serves as an instigator for many other industrial sectors. A large network of suppliers from the fields of mechanical engineering, metalworking, and the textile and chemical industries supply materials for the automotive industry and benefit from its large order volumes. The industry experienced a record year in 2011. According to the industry association VDA, Germany’s annual car production reached a figure of some 5.87 million cars that year – the highest number recorded in the industry’s 125-year history. With a number of 5.6 million produced cars this level could even be maintained in 2014. In 2014, the automotive industry’s annual revenues reached a new peak with €368 billion, an increase of 2 percent over the previous year. A large percentage of the revenues is attributable to foreign demand. Cars and car parts were the principal exports in the year 2014, with three-fourths of the German-produced cars being exported. Demand has particularly increased in countries such as China.

8. THE POLICY… WHO GOVERNS GERMANY??

9. THE FIRTS ROOM OF THE PARLIAMENT "BUNDESTAG" The parliament, the " Bundestag " , currently has 630 deputies ( the number can vary from one election to the next) who are elected by the people every four years . Here are proposed , developed , discussed and approved ( or not ) all laws . The Bundestag elects the Chancellor who in turn chooses the ministers . The Bundestag, whose sessions are open to the public, may also impeach the chancellor and his government, but only if at the same time there is a majority for a new Chancellor . In the history of the Federal Republic , that is, since 1949 , it has happened only twice , in 1972 and 1982.

10. GERMAN POLITICAL PARTIES • In the German parliament , after the last election in 2013 , five political parties are represented : • CDU/CSU - Christlich Demokratische Union and Christlich Soziale Union, • SPD - Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands • Die Linke -Socialist Party • Grüne - Bündnis90 / Die Grünen, Greens Party (Ecologists' Party).

11. Angela Dorothea Merkel Elected to the German parliament in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, is President of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) since 9 April 2000 and Chairman of the CDU-CSU parliamentary group since 2002 to 2005. Appointed for the first time Chancellor following the federal elections in 2005, led a grand coalition with the sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), and the Social Democratic party (SPD) until the end of the legislature (2009). In 2007, Merkel was also President of the European Council and President of the G8. She played a key role in negotiating the Treaty of Lisbon and in the 2007 Berlin Declaration in domestic policy, the main issues discussed were the reform of the health system and the future of energy development. Angela Merkel is the first woman to hold the office of Chancellor of Germany and the second to chair the G8, after Margaret Thatcher. It is considered by Forbes Magazine as "the most powerful woman in the world."

12. German’s Traditions& Festivity The historic town in Germany have preserved over time their customs and traditions including folk festivals called " Volksfeste " often closely linked to the history of the respective cities . The period with more festivities is to spring and summer from March to October.

13. TraditionalDrink The beer is the national drink of Germany , part of German culture . The Germans follow only the Czechs in beer consumption statistics , but the "world record for beer drinkers" is the Bavarians with an annual average of 240 liters per person. In Kneipen generally it serves beer , but in the Frankfurt area, where apple production has a long tradition , the " official drink " is the Apfelwein , apple cider . Many of these features taverns , craftsmen produce their own Apfelwein , and are marked by a wreath of evergreen branches hanging or painted on the front door.

14. TraditionalFood In Germany the principally traditional food are Brezel and Bratwurst (Sausage). The Thuringian sausage is a sausage to roast produced in the geographical area of the federal state of Thuringia , Germany. From 15 to 20 cm long , is composed of partially defatted pork meat , pork cheek of scalped , with the possible addition of veal or beef. The pretzel is a very popular type of bread among the German speaking populations , and then spread especially in Germany , Austria , Switzerland and South Tyrol . Depending on the region , is also said Laugenbrezel , Pretzel , Pretzl , Breze or pretzels . In Monaco of Bavaria traditionally accompanies Weißwurst along with sweet mustard .

15. Oktoberfest Oktoberfest is the german's largest Volksfest. Held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, it is a 16-day folk festival running from mid or late September to the first weekend in October, with more than 6 million people from around the world attending the event every year. The Oktoberfest is an important part of Bavarian culture, having been held since 1810. It prepares a large amusement park and mount the stands where I served six historic beer brands of Monaco of Bavaria (Paulaner , Spaten , Hofbräu , Hacker - Pschorr , Augustiner and Löwenbräu) . Each of the 14 greatest stand is able to accommodate between 5,000 and 10,000 people ; each stand there is a central stage on which bands perform in the traditional schlager style.

16. GEOuOUROUThE GROUP • Group Leader: Filippo Ballestrazzi for German History • Alessandro Loconte for German Politics • Riccardo Malighetti for German Economy • Pierluigi Martufi for German Traditions Class of Mrs. Antonelli