Changing living standards, 1945–89 Flashcards Preview

Creating a social market economy, 1945-89 > Changing living standards, 1945–89 > Flashcards

Flashcards in Changing living standards, 1945–89 Deck (10)
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1
Q

How did the war damage in 1945 affect the living standards?

A

War damage meant that families were torn apart, people were starving and many people were homeless.

2
Q

What were the most pressing issues of the late 40s?

A

Housing and food as one-fifth of all housing had been bombed flat.

3
Q

What changes were made in order to combat the housing issue?

A

A ministry of housing was set up to oversee rebuilding, rents were frozen and the building industry were given tax concessions to build.

4
Q

As the economy strengthened, what sort of consumer goods did people spend their money on?

A

By 1963, 63% of homes had a fridge, 42% had a TV and 36% had a washing machine.

5
Q

Throughout this change in living standards, how did the people cope financially?

A

All through the period, real wages kept ahead of prices and by the 1980s, about 90% of all people were covered by benefits and healthcare.

6
Q

What was the link between Pension reforms and life expectancy in the 1980s?

A

Pension reforms meant that most people received a state pension, which is just as well as people in the 1980s lived, on average, 12 years longer than people in the 50s.

7
Q

In this period of great change how had social inequality deepened?

A

Even in the 1960s when the economy was at its best, 1% of all households owned 35% of the wealth and in 1973 the top percent of all households owned 78% of the wealth.

8
Q

In this period of great change how had social inequality deepened?

A

The unions succeeded in acquiring higher pay rates, shorter working hours and increasingly long periods of holidays.

9
Q

What other financial assistance did the government give to families?

A

Tax cuts were given for families and financial assistance provided to enable families to buy their own homes.

10
Q

Unlike the Nazi era, how did the attitudes of the people change under the FRG?

A

People began to grow more comfortable in the new and stable government and to a certain extent can be seen to have sought to make up for the dark years of Nazi Germany by enjoying life and by embracing capitalist culture.