1.3 The recovery of the Republic, 1924-29 Flashcards
Edexcel GCSE (9-1) - Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918-1939
When was Gustav Stresemann appointed chancellor, and by whom
August 1923, by President Ebert
When did Stresemann resign as chancellor
November 1923 (after about 3 months of chancellorship), but he remained as a foreign secretary until 1929
What was Stresemann’s goal
Make the political situation in Germany more stable.
- He hoped that by stabilising the economy and regaining respect for Germany in foreign affairs, Germans would feel more content with the Weimar Republic.
- He also wanted to lose support for extremist parties like the NSDAP and the KPD.
Rentenmark
Set up in November 1923 by Stresemann
- The Rentenbank, also new, a state-owned bank, would issue the Rentanmark as new currency to fight hyperinflation.
- The supply of this currency was strictly limited, and its value was linked to gold.
- Backed by German industrial plants and agricultural land.
- In August 1924, a new independent national bank, the Reichsbank, was given control of the currency, and it became known as the Reichsmark.
When was the Dawes Plan
Stresemann agreed to the terms in April 1924
The Dawes Plan
Plan by Charles G. Dawes, an American banker, who had been asked by the allies to resolve Germany’s non-payment of reparations.
- Agreed to in April 1924
- Reparations reduced to 50 million pounds per year
- US banks gave loans to German industry, total of $25 billion between 1924 and 1930
- After the French left the Ruhr, industrial output doubled between 1923 and 1928
- Employment, trade and taxation income increased
- Most Germans were reassured that the Weimar Republic was politically strengthened
- Extreme political parties furious
- Germany had agreed to pay reparations again, and the entire fragile economic recovery depended on US loans.
When was the Young Plan
The plan was put forward in August 1929
The Young Plan
Put forward in August 1929, set up by the allies, headed by American banker called Owen Young.
- Reduced total reparations from 6.6 billion pounds to just 2 billion
- Germany given further 59 years to pay
- Allowed the government to lower taxes on ordinary German people
- Released public spending power; boosted industry and made more jobs; ‘virtuous cycle’ of economic growth
- The French agreed to leave the Rhineland in 1930
- Increased confidence in the Weimar Republic
- Referendum in 1929 resulted in 35 million Germans voting in favour of the Young Plan; 85% of votes
- Extremist groups angered, Adolf Hitler said it was ‘passing on the penalty to the unborn’
When was the Locarno Pact
Stresemann signed the Locarno pact on 1 December 1925
The Locarno Pact
Signed in December 1925 between Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Belgium.
- Agreed upon by Germany, not imposed, for once!
- Germany accepted its new 1919 border with France and France promised peace with Germany
- Rhineland would be demilitarised
- Would discuss German membership in the League of Nations
- Made war in Europe less likely
- Germany was being treated as an equal, for once!
- Extremist parties still whining >:(
When did Stresemann earn the Nobel Peace Prize
1926, after the successes of the Locarno Pact.
German participation in the League of Nations
In September 1926, Stresemann persuaded the other great powers to accept Germany as a member in the LoN
- Boost to moderate parties, who supported Stresemann
- Boosted confidence in Weimar Republic
When was the Kellogg-Briand Pact signed
Signed in August 1928
The Kellogg-Briand Pact
Signed in August 1928 by Germany and 61 other countries which promised they wouldn’t use war to achieve foreign policy aims.
- USA was not in the League of Nations, so saw this as a way that the country could assist peace
- Showed that Germany was included amongst the main powers, not dictated by them
- The Weimar Republic got even more respected
- Increased confidence in moderate political parties
- Did nothing to remove the hated terms of the Treaty of Versailles, so people still angry >:(
Stresemann’s strategy’s impact on domestic politics
- Support for moderate parties rose from 50% in 1924 to 58% in 1928
- Support for extreme parties fell
- When Friedrich Ebert died in 1925 (who was seen as a ‘November criminal’) and was replaced by Hindenburg, the Republic was given a strong figurehead.
- Confidence really increased in the Republic and in moderate politics
