Ludwig Erhard was a German economist and politician who served as the second Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) from 1963 to 1966. He is widely regarded as the "father of the German economic miracle", the period of rapid economic growth in West Germany after the Second World War.
Erhard was a strong advocate of free-market economics and free trade. He implemented a number of policies that promoted economic growth, including tax cuts, deregulation, and the removal of trade barriers. These policies helped to create a favorable environment for businesses to invest and expand, which led to high levels of economic growth and job creation.
During Erhard's tenure as Chancellor, the West German economy grew at an average annual rate of 9.5%. This was a period of unprecedented growth that transformed West Germany from a war-ravaged country into one of the most prosperous economies in the world.