(2) The Recovery of Weimar Flashcards
What was the Dawes Plan?
. Germany couldn’t afford the reparation payments.
. The Dawes Plan was made to make the payments much
easier.
. Gustav Stresemann was responsible for this.
When was the Dawes Plan agreed?
. August 1924
What were the main points of the Dawes Plan?
. Reparation payments would begin at 1 billion marks for
the first year and would increase over a period of four
years to 2.5 billion marks. These were much more
sensible.
. The Ruhr area was to be evacuated. This happened in
1925.
. The USA would give loans to Germany to help its
recovery.
What was the Rentenmark?
. To restore confidence in German people, Gustav made a temporary currency.
. It gradually reduced hyperinflation.
What was the Young Plan?
. Although Germany could pay the reparations, many
argued it was too much to pay.
. In 1929, Owen Young came up with a new plan for
payments.
. The length of time Germany had to pay was extended to
59 years.
Describe the reactions to the young plan
. An achievement for Stresemann and the Weimar
Government.
. It was criticised by right-wing politicians such as Adolf
Hitler who objected further payments.
What was the vicious circle of payments?
. The USA lent money to Germany.
. Germany lent money to France and Britain.
. France and Britain lent money the USA to repay war
loans.
How did the constitution strengthen Germany?
. The economy was starting to recover due to successes
abroad.
. Public works provided new opera houses and apartment
blocks.
. Unemployment fell from 9 million to 6 million over several
years.
. Better relations between employers and workers - fewer
strikes.
. Germany was beginning to be accepted by other
countries.
How did the constitution weaken Germany?
. Germany was over-dependent on loans from the USA.
. Farmers experienced agricultural problems with the
depression.
. The lower classes’ wage wasn’t much above the cost of
living.
. Lower class citizens didn’t fully recover from the 1923
hyperinflation.
When was the Locarno Pact signed?
1925
What was the Locarno Pact?
. The countries agreed to keep existing borders between
Germany, Belgium and France.
. Began a period of co-operation between Germany,
France and Britain.
Which countries signed the Locarno Pact?
. Britain, France, Belgium, Italy and Germany.
When did Germany become a part of the League of Nations?
September 1926
Why was joining the League of Nations important to Stresemann?
. Germany had to be in the League of Nations for the
Locarno Pact to come into operation.
. It confirmed Germany’s return to Great Power.
. Stresemann used Germany’s position in the League of
Nations to bring about the Young Plan.
When was the Kellogg-Briand Pact signed?
1928
What was the purpose of the Kellog-Briand Pact?
. All countries would solve arguments by ‘peaceful means.’
. Armies were only for self-defence.
. It showed further improved relations between Germany
and the USA and the leading European nations.
Why was Gustav Stresemann the most popular leader of the Weimar Government?
. In 1925, France withdrew from the Ruhr
. The allies agreed to Dawes Plan and the Young plan
. In 1927, allied troops withdrew from the west bank of the
Rhine.
. Had many successes abroad - Locarno Pact and Kellog-
Briand Pact.
. Improved relations with USA and rest of Europe.
Describe the Political developments under the control of the Weimar Government
. The period 1924-29 saw greater political stability
. There was greater support for the parties that supported
the Weimar Government.
. Less support for extremist parties like the Nazis.
. In 1928, Social Democrats had 153 seats where as the
Nazis had 12.
What were the Social developments under the control of the Weimar Government?
. Standard of living
. Position of Women
. Cultural Changes.
How did the standard of living improve?
. Wages for many Germans had increased by 10%
. Housing - between 1924 and 1931, more than two million
news houses were renovated or expanded.
. Unemployment insurance - Workers and employees had
to make contributions to the national scheme of
unemployment.
How did the position of women improve?
. 1919, women over 20 were given the vote and they took
an increasing interest in politics.
. There was also equality in education for the sexes and
equal pay in professions.
. More women had roles in the civil service and teaching.
. They went out unescorted, drank and smoked in public
and were fashion conscious.
Describe the cultural changes in the 1920s
. Pre-war censorship was removed.
. Artists commented on the society of the time.
. Architecture flourished greatly.
. Golden age for the German cinema - for example the
movie Metropolis was one of the most technical films of
the decade.
. It was a strong period of literature also.
