Political, economic and social condition of reunified Germany by 1991: Kohl and drive to reunification; strengths and problems
In 1990, Chancellor Helmut Kohl led the reunification of East and West Germany into a single state. The new Germany had real strengths but also faced serious political, economic, and social problems.
Real World
The 1:1 exchange rate converting Ostmarks to Deutschmarks in July 1990 — championed by Kohl for political reasons against economic advice — immediately made East German factories uncompetitive and triggered mass unemployment across the former GDR.
Exam Focus
Balance strengths (democratic legitimacy, economic power) against problems (Ossi–Wessi tensions, costs); unbalanced answers are capped at Level 2.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
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