The Role of German Economy in Europe

Abstract

This paper details the role that Germany and the German economy have played in Europe over time. The timeline is divided into three parts, namely the period of World War II, the period before and after German reunification, and the German economy today, and each timeline is analyzed in the context of Germany, Europes overall history, and the world situation at the time, with different examples and comparative analyses of individual country situations. The main reason why this article was able to get at what kind of role Germany plays in Europe is because of the gradual conclusions drawn through comparisons with the economic development of different but contemporaneous countries and Germanys own GDP growth. In every period of Europes development, the German economy has had a greater influence and guidance on Europe as a whole and on some countries, and in most cases has played a dominant, leading role, despite the blows and impacts of World War II on the development of the economy.