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H MOD - Ger > 1. Political, economic and social issues in the Weimer Republic to 1929 > Flashcards

1. Political, economic and social issues in the Weimer Republic to 1929 Flashcards

1
Q

By mid 1920s, after the hyper inflation and French occupation of 1923, what had Germany become ?

A

become a booming, modern economy which was quickly reasserting itself as dominant force in both European and World economy.

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2
Q

What was Political situation like?

A

settled down, violence rare and fears of Weimar Constitution seemed unsupported

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3
Q

But this story of success merely superficial as?

A

existed major fundamental flaws in entire socio-economic-political fabric of the Republic

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4
Q

What was Weimer republic greatest weakness?

A

its failure to establish lasting political stability

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5
Q

Quote by R. Evans to describe instability of political gov?

A

“the political situation was looking fragile… the Republic was as far away from achieving stability and legitimacy as ever”

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6
Q

Economic Issue: what did Stresemann’s end of passive resistance in August 1923 bring?

A

recovery to hyper inflation

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7
Q

Economic Issue: Dawes Plan when and who?

A

US banker Charles Dawes

1924

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8
Q

Economic Issue: result of Dawes Plan?

A

reduction of reparation payments, at the same time making loans of $800 million available from the USA. There would be 2-year moratorium on reparation payments. Would be adjusted to Germany’s ability to pay. Brought economic growth, affluence, confidence and creative determination to Germany

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9
Q

Economic Issue: Dawes Plan negative?

A

Germany in return lost control of its Central Bank = to ensure no repeat of excessive print of money and secure gov revenues. Also lost control of railways

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10
Q

Economic Issue: was Dawes Plan popular?

A

not popular at first but was eventually accepted, foreshadowed the start of a German economic boom.

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11
Q

Economic Issue: how was stability restored?

A

after introduction in November 1923 of new currency, the Rentenmark – value tied to that of gold, with tight restrictions being placed on the issuing of banknotes

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12
Q

Economic Issue: what was currency of Rentenmark based on?

A

value of land -> rapid growth in industry

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13
Q

Economic Issue: what happened to industries with intro of Rentenmark?

A

restructured and modernised, with coal, iron and steel production exceeding pre war figures and exports doubled. Modernised production methods

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14
Q

Economic Issue: why did Economy recover quickly ?

A

as German territory not affected by war destruction (no reconstruction needed)

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15
Q

Economic Issue: what did inflation help?

A

helped industrialists to expand and allow Germany to sell goods cheaply

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16
Q

Economic Issue Flaws: reliance almost entirely on flow of US loan money into country?

A

Any crisis in US would severely affect German economy. Although it did give support to have sound economy and financial footing at start

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17
Q

Economic Issue Flaws: what was never good in economics?

A

US loans lent on short term basis “Borrowing short and investing long”

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18
Q

Economic Issue Flaws: Quote by Gustav Stresemann about dangers of living in borrowed money?

A

Germany “lived on borrowed money… if a crisis every hit us… We are not only military disarmed, we are also financially disarmed”

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19
Q

Economic Issue Flaws: what did Economic modernisation cause?

A

high structural unemployment = 1926 -> 10%

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20
Q

Economic Issue Flaws: what happened to agriculture?

A

Agriculture stagnated – by 1926, farming sector experience agricultural depression (price of farm products decline)

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21
Q

Economic Issue Flaws: what did Nazi Party campaign strongly for?

A

The Nazi Party campaigned strongly at election times to win the votes of farmers, with promised to reduce taxes, cheaper electricity and favourable revision of inheritance laws

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22
Q

Economic Issue Flaws: why was reliance on international trade dangerous?

A

1920s period of growing protectionism -> worsened when depression hit and difficult to sell German exports. Costs of imports higher than the exports.

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23
Q

Economic Issue Flaws: what happened with intro. of Rentenmark?

A

came deflation, followed by shortages of basic commodities, which, in turn, produced a crime wave as the poor restored to stealing foods.

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24
Q

Economic Issue Flaws: evidence of theft and what this used for?

A

There were 365 000 convictions for theft in 1923 – sevenfold increase over 1913 -> used as evidence for conservative members as serious moral decline under democracy.

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25
Q

Economic Issue Flaws: What did these economic flaws lead to?

A

Served to questions the legitimacy of Weimer Republic and foster desire amongst many for a more authoritarian system.

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26
Q

Economic Issue Flaws: what was Currency stabilisation also accompanied by?

A

by gov cost cutting – contributed significantly to unemployment rate which remain quite high for the rest of 1920s.

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27
Q

Economic Issue Flaws: when and what did the economy start to experience serious problems?

A

In 1928, before the great depression: decline in flow of foreign investment as money moved out of Europe and into the New York stock market which was booming at the time

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28
Q

Economic Issue Flaws: why did interests rates rise?

A

an attempt to attract foreign investment

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29
Q

Economic Issue Flaws: impact of increase in interest rates?

A

contributed to a fall-off in the level of economic activity. As a consequence, production slowed and unemployment rose

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30
Q

Economic Issue Flaws: October 1929?

A

the New York stock market collapsed and the United States began its slide into economic depression.

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31
Q

Economic Issue Flaws: why did German economy begin to collapse with collapse of New York stock market?

A

American banks recalled their short term loans to Germany

32
Q

Economic Issue Flaws: what did the great depression trigger?

A

triggered large scale unemployment, severe social hardship and political instability. It affected all classes. Starvation was wide spread, living conditions deteriorated, social instability was common and business came to a stop

33
Q

Economic Issue Flaws: what was lost during Great Depression?

A

During this period support was lost for the Weimar Republic and the right wing Nazi Party emerged.

34
Q

Social Issues: Due to this success, the Weimer gov. had to impose….?

A

heavy taxation levels – resented by businessmen and middle class salary earners

35
Q

Social Issues: what did industrialists resent?

A

gains workers making and privileged position that trade unions (gained new importance) seemed to be enjoying under Weimer Gov

36
Q

Social Issues: what happened by 1929?

A

6 million workers were in trade unions

37
Q

Social Issues: what happened as economy improved?

A

more ppl required to work -> employment rise

38
Q

Social Issues: what was money being spent more on?

A

public works, housing, transport and social welfare - vast improvements in these areas

39
Q

Social Issues: what did the Stinnes-Legian agreement bring?

A

agreement gave unions legal recognition and brought in 8 hour working day

40
Q

Social Issues: what did workers also gain?

A

gained negotiation system which protected their rights.

41
Q

Social Issues: why did people go back to work in Ruhr?

A

due to Chancellor Stresemann ending dispute in the Ruhr.

42
Q

Social Issues: what happened with wages and trade unions?

A

Wages increased and trade unions gained a new importance and their memberships soared

43
Q

Social Issues: Article 161 of Weimer?

A

stated that, “the Reich shall organise a comprehensive system of social insurance.”

44
Q

Social Issues: what did article 161 lead to?

A

improved social welfare with more money being put into pensions for orphans and widows.

45
Q

Social Issues: with social welfare being taken care of what did it lead to?

A

confidence, creative determination and cultural renaissance was gained which lead to Germany becoming the European centre of music, film, art and literature.

46
Q

Social Issues: what was Germany during this period referred to as?

A

‘avant garde’ which represents the pushing of the boundaries of what is accepted as the status quo.

47
Q

Social Issues: cultural developments view by young and old ppl?

A

admired by the young people, older Germans living in regional and rural areas, those who treasured traditional values of old Germany, hated this cultural explosion that was taking place in Berlin.

48
Q

Social Issues: what was expressionism and modernism seen as?

A

as betrayal of Germany’s cultural traditions by some ppl

49
Q

Social Issues: what was used as evidence of moral decline under democracy?

A

risqué nightclub scene and thriving gay and lesbian sub-cultures, by those that resented these cultural developments

50
Q

Social Issues: what did these factors enable?

A

Germany to afloat financially in what can be known as the Golden era.

51
Q

Flaws of Social Stability: what was it built on?

A

on bad foundations

52
Q

Flaws of Social Stability: what happened to the social classes with large sums owed in borrowed money?

A

hit hard. All classes affected by Great Depression as it put strangle hold on gov and businesses came to a halt.

53
Q

Flaws of Social Stability: what happened to employment and living condition?

A

large scale unemployment levels and living conditions deteriorated as consequence

54
Q

Flaws of Social Stability:what happened since there was no money left to rebuilt economy?

A

unemployment continued to drop: beginning of 1929 – 2.5 million, by 1930-31, exceeded 5 milion, year later, peaked at 6 million

55
Q

Flaws of Social Stability: what did people begin to resent?

A

resent Weimer and several political groups emerged

56
Q

Flaws of Social Stability: what happened to prosperity of mid 1920s?

A

gone and it was in thee conditions that extremist parties like Nazis and communist prospered.

57
Q

Political issues: who was responsible for much of the political stability?

A

Gustav Stresemann was chancellor of a coalition government and was responsible for much of this stability

58
Q

Political issues: League of Nations when join and what did it prove?

A

in 1926 demonstrated its move out of economic depression and toward normal diplomatic status

59
Q

Political issues: what was the significance of joining league of nations?

A

Germany’s admission was a victory for Stresemann and the republic, and a step on the road to overcoming defeat in World War 1, and becoming once again a respected member of the world community.

60
Q

Political issues: what was another key factor in Germany’s stability during this period?

A

Stresemanns fulfilment policy

61
Q

Political issues: what was the fulfilment policy?

A

was a policy in support of German co-operation with the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. Ended passive resistance in the Ruhr and announced Germany will comply with treaty. With end of this, Germany could now seek to solve the hyperinflation.

62
Q

Political issues: what was another key factor in providing stability?

A

The Locarno Treaty 1925, was also a key factor in providing stability.

63
Q

Political issues: Lorcano Treaty when and purpose?

A

solidify Germany’s border with Belgium and France as permanent and guaranteed entry in League of Nations in 1926

64
Q

Political issues: what did Lorcano treaty allow for? what was the main idea of treaty with quote?

A

Allowed Germany to rebuild without threat to the French. Main idea of treaty was nations seeking “by common agreement means of peaceful settlement of disputes” (Locarno Treaty extract)

65
Q

Political issues: who won vast majority votes at beginning of Republic?

A

the Social Democrats, the Democrats and Catholic Centre Party, allowing for a successful democratic parliament.

66
Q

Political issues: decrease in?

A

political violence

67
Q

Political issues: Stresemanns diplomatic skills -> international gains:

A

Reduction in reparation payments in Dawes (1924) and Young Plans (1929)
The Locarno Agreement (1925)
entry in League of Nations in 1926
Fulfilment policy

68
Q

Political flaws: Political stability was partly due to ?

A

foreign loans which kept Germany afloat due to the large amounts of money owed in reparations.

69
Q

Political flaws: what was Weimar republic’s greatest weakness?

A

its failure to establish lasting political stability as R. Evans said “the political situation was looking extremely fragile.. the Republic was as far away from achieving stability and legitimacy as ever”

70
Q

Political flaws: political violence?

A

violence still remained with parties developing para-military groups that fought each other on occasions.

71
Q

Political flaws: army’s cooperation?

A

The army’s disdain for the Republic had not faded and its unreliability had been seen during the Kapp Putsch.

72
Q

Political flaws: what did army operate as?

A

Under von Seekt, the army operated a ‘state within a state’, free of government controls

73
Q

Political flaws: Article48?

A

There was also the potential misuse of Article 48 (the Weimar Constitution granted the president of the Weimar Republic “emergency decree powers to protect the republic from crises initiated by its opponents on either the left or the right [of the political spectrum”) by Hindenburg that may lead to the abuse of power.

74
Q

Political flaws: change in view/votes?

A

People increasingly changed to extremist views, voting and supporting the anti-democratic parties of the extreme left and right wings – the Communists and the Nazis. = polarisation of supporting parties that are extreme opposites

75
Q

Political flaws: coalition gov?

A

It made impossible to form coalition governments with the backing of a majority in the Reichstag due to polarisation.

76
Q

Political flaws: What happened due to the polarisation?

A

Support for the Weimar government was lost and several other political groups emerged such as the right wing Nazi’s who were now gaining support.

77
Q

Political flaws: Although successful, every diplomatic success provided right with anti-republican propaganda?

A

Accepting lower reparations = accepting war guilt

Signing Locarno = validate treaty of Versailles

H MOD - Ger (14 decks)

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