In early 1947 four million German soldiers were still being used as forced labor in the UK, France, and the Soviet Union.[12][13]
In 1951 West Germany agreed to join the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) the following year. This meant that some of the economic restrictions on production capacity and on actual production that were imposed by the International Authority for the Ruhr were lifted, and that its role was taken over by the ECSC.[14]
Although dismantling of West German industry ended in 1951, "industrial disarmament" lingered in restrictions on actual German Steel production, and production capacity, as well as on restriction on key industries. All remaining restrictions were finally rescinded on May 5, 1955. According to Frederick Gareau, noting that although U.S. policy had changed well before that; "the last act of the Morgenthau drama occurred on that date [May 5, 1955] or when the Saar was returned to Germany [January 1, 1957]."[7]