1. Economic Push Factors:
- Unemployement and poverty in Turkey: Turkey was facing a period of economic stagnation and high unemployment rates in the 1950s and 1960s. Many Turks, especially from rural areas, were struggling to make ends meet.
- Lack of job opportunities: There was a shortage of jobs in various sectors in Turkey, leading many people to seek better prospects abroad.
2. German Economic Growth:
- Germany's "Wirtschaftswunder" (economic miracle): In contrast to Turkey's economic situation, Germany was experiencing a period of rapid economic growth and prosperity in the post-war era. This created a high demand for labor in various industries, such as manufacturing, construction, and services.
- Labor shortages: Germany had a shortage of skilled and unskilled workers to fuel its expanding industries. To fill this gap, the German government actively recruited foreign workers from countries like Turkey, Italy, Spain, and Greece.
3. Bilateral Agreement and Recruitment Programs:
- In 1961, Germany and Turkey signed a recruitment agreement that facilitated the migration of Turkish workers to Germany. This agreement regulated the conditions of employment, social security, and repatriation of workers.
- The German government implemented various recruitment programs to attract workers, including the Anwerbeabkommen (recruitment agreements), which provided transportation, housing, and language courses for Turkish migrants.
4. Positive Image of Germany:
- Many Turks had a positive perception of Germany due to its economic success and reputation for technological advancement and social welfare. This perception was reinforced by the influx of Turkish citizens who returned from Germany sharing stories of their improved living standards and financial success.
5. Chain Migration:
- Early Turkish migrants to Germany often brought their family members and friends through the process of chain migration. As more Turks established themselves in Germany, they sponsored their relatives to join them, further contributing to the flow of migrants.
6. Cultural and Linguistic Similarities:
- Germany's proximity to Turkey and the presence of a sizable Turkish community in Germany made it a more familiar and less daunting destination for Turkish migrants.
As a result of these factors, more than a million Turkish citizens migrated to Germany in the 1950s and 1960s, forming the largest ethnic minority group in the country. Many of them settled permanently, contributing to the cultural diversity of Germany and establishing strong connections between the two nations.