Federal Republic of Germany and the Economic Miracle

Living Conditions in the 1950's

The affluent Republic soon began to take shape – not only visible in the increasing size of clothes. A "wave of gluttony", a "wave of clothing" and a "wave of housing" rolled across the country. Music and Heimat films accompanied the first "travel wave" into the mountains as far as Italy. The Rhine and the Moselle also attracted tourists. However, the dream destination was America. Its lifestyle set the standards, awakened desires: for a refrigerator and a television, chewing gum and limousines, Mickey Mouse and Tupper parties, nylon stockings and leather jackets, petticoats and Rock-and-Roll, neat "misses" and brylcreemed "teddy boys". Germany developed into "Old Germany".