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German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called on the countries of Europe to put their "national egotisms" aside to find a solution to the continent's ongoing debt crisis. Getty Images
Germany is no stranger to economic crises, having suffered from the effects of massive hyperinflation in the wake of World War I. Getty Images
In the 1920s, hyperinflation left the country's currency virtually worthless; the episode is widely viewed as one of the factors that led to the rise of the Nazi Party. Getty Images
Germany was left devastated at the end of World War II -- but was able to start over from scratch, thanks to support from the Marshall Plan. Getty Images
In 1951, Germany was one of the founders of the European Union. The following decades saw the country go from strength to strength, in what became known as the "Wirtschaftswunder" (Economic Miracle). Getty Images
But the country found itself in financial difficulties following the reunification of East and West Germany in 1990, and was forced to reform its economy. AFP/Getty Images
For many Germans, the Deutschmark was a symbol of the country's recovery and resurgence after WWII. Getty Images
And giving it up in favor of single European currency, the euro, was seen as a major sacrifice. Getty Images
But thanks to its strong manufacturing sector, the German economy has continued to thrive, compared to those of neighbouring countries reliant on financial services and property markets. DDP/Getty Images
