Part 3/10:
Historical Context: The Legacy of Division
The roots of this division can be traced back to the end of World War II. The devastation wrought upon Germany was unevenly distributed; cities in the future West Germany suffered tremendous damage due to Allied bombing, while many in the East remained relatively intact. This unevenness set the stage for two distinct political and economic systems. West Germany, with its capitalist market economy, benefitted from significant investment through programs like the Marshall Plan, while East Germany's communist regime imposed stringent reparations and nationalized significant portions of industry.