Morgenthau's plan, proposed at the end of planet War II, was intended to reduce Germany to a pastoral state, preventing future aggression. Although the plan was yet rejected by the Harry Truman administration, modern Germany seems to have implemented its assumptions voluntarily.
History of the Morgenthau plan
In 1944, then U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau proposed a strict program for postwar Germany. The plan was to liquidate German industry, dismantle infrastructure and full disarm. The main economical centres, specified as the Ruhr Basin, were to be completely devoid of natural materials and energy.
Germany's borders were to be importantly reduced for its neighbours, including the russian Union, Poland and France. German safety was to depend solely on the goodwill of the victorious Allies.
The plan initially met with public approval, but after it leaked to the press caused controversy. Critics, including General George Marshall and erstwhile president Herbert Hoover, warned against possible effects specified as mass famine and obstruction of the demobilization of German armed forces.
Germany after the war: rejection of the plan
After the war, seeing the magnitude of the demolition and the increasing ambitions of the russian Union, the United States withdrew from the implementation of the Morgenthau plan. Germany, alternatively of being reduced to a pastoral state, has become 1 of the key elements of Europe's reconstruction.
However, the current policy of Germany seems to mention to the assumptions of Morgenthau, although this time by the will of the Germans themselves.
Modern echo of the Morgenthau plan
Germany has voluntarily taken steps that match the assumptions of the 80-year-old plan. Decisions to shut down atomic power plants, coal and gas for unstable renewable energy sources have led to drastic increases in energy prices. The industry, erstwhile the engine of the European economy, is losing its competitiveness in the global market, and brands specified as Volkswagen and BMW are facing increasing problems.
The German army, erstwhile powerful, is presently insufficiently equipped and incapable to defend the country. The shortages in human resources, weapons and military infrastructure make Germany dependent on NATO and the United States.
In addition, the country is facing a migration crisis. Over 1 million immigrants, mainly from the mediate East, have come to Germany in fresh years, leading to social tensions. The advanced proportion of the population born abroad and the low birth rate (1.4%) indicate deep demographic change.
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History Paradox
The irony of destiny is that after the war the Allies rejected Morgenthau's plan as besides harsh. present Germany, by its own political decisions, seems to carry out its assumptions. Deindustrialisation, disarmament and social crisis lead the country towards stagnation and weakening.
Maciej Nadrąt
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