2.2: The Golden Age (1924-1928)

Question 1

Why in the Summer of 1923 was The WR on the verge of collapse

Answer 1

The collapsed currency, hyperinflation, French and Belgian troops’ occupying of Ruhr, lack of clear German government policies, left-wing political disturbances, and an ultra-conservative government in Bavaria contributed to deep-rooted economic and social problems.

Question 2

Who was Gustav Stresemann

Answer 2

His 100 days as Chancellor turned Germany around with Three key ingredients: Nov: Temporary Rentenmark used to stabilise the economy then the Reichsmark replaced it due to it being backed by gold, also Hjalmer Schacht helped significantly

Question 3

What was The Reparations Issue

Answer 3

1919: No fixed sum then in 1921: fixed sum at £222,600 million with 42 years payment then in April 1921 - reduced to £6,600 million – 50,000 million marks p/a over 50 years and finally The1924 Dawes plan + 1929 Young plan reorganised reparations

Question 4

What was the extent of industrial recovery

Answer 4

Industrial output grew after 1924 but didn’t reach 1913 levels till 1929 but growth rates were unsteady and by 1928-29 investment in new machinery was falling. The inflation rate was close to 0 + wages increased from 1924. The number of strikes in German industry declined due to compulsory arbitration

Question 5

What was the extent of Agricultural recovery

Answer 5

Famers gained little – a worldwide agricultural depression kept food prices low thus few farmers could profit then there was a global grain surplus meant prices slumped again in 1925-6 and finally by 1929 German agricultural production was less than ¾ of pre-war levels.

Question 6

What was The Dawes Plan

Answer 6

Set reparations at 132 million, over 5 years annual pay would increase from 1000 million to 2500 million with an 800 million loan from US and was monitored by all not just France

Question 7

What was the Short-Term Impact of The Dawes Plan

Answer 7

Received 2x Capita, France evacuated the Ruhr in 1925 and French-German relations were improving

Question 8

What was the Long-Term Impact of The Dawes Plan

Answer 8

It was floored it relied heavily on the US and its own economy being stable it was unit The Wall Street Crash

Question 9

What was The Young Plan

Answer 9

Was setup by The Inter-Allied Reparations Commission they agreed that the total sum should be reduced to 37,000 million, lower annual payments to be made over 58 years and allied supervision was discontinued

Question 10

What was The Impact of The Young Plan

Answer 10

Right wing saw it as a betrayal and they mounted a huge amount of support for example the Nazi Party grew to 130000 members through Hugenberg use of media propaganda

Question 11

What were The Developments in Art

Answer 11

The new objectivity movement in the 20th century shifted from traditional nostalgia and aimed to make art accessible to ordinary people, introducing new media like collage and photomontage, exemplified by Otto Dix and Georg Grosz, who created aggressive, political, and social messages.

Question 12

What were The Developments in Architecture

Answer 12

The Bauhaus movement, led by Walter Gropius, was a ground-breaking cultural shift that emphasized functionalism and the connection between technology and art. It influenced all aspects of design, particularly furniture, and used familiar materials in innovative ways.

Question 13

What were the Developments in Film

Answer 13

In the 1920s, European cinema became the most advanced, with over 500 films. It shifted from expressionism to social reality, with Marlene Dietrich being the first big German ‘talkie’. Right-wing filmmakers exploited Dietrich for patriotic films like Frederick the Great. The German film market was dominated by Alfred Hugenberg’s UFA,

Question 14

What Social Welfare Reforms were there

Answer 14

1924 – public assistance system was modernised
1925 – state accident insurance system was extended to occupational disease.
1927- national unemployment insurance system was introduced financed by workers + employers

Question 15

What were the Reforms in Living Standards

Answer 15

State subsidies were used to build local amenities like parks, schools, and council houses. Wealth increased, allowing people to indulge in luxury items. German workers, supported by trade unions, saw improved living standards as real wages increased by 9% in 1927.

Question 16

What was the myth of the new women compared to the reality in Employment

Answer 16

The myth was they were given greater rights, by 1925 they made up 36% of the workforce and by 1933-100000 teachers and 3000 doctors were as in reality there were demobilization laws, no equal pay and double earners

Question 17

What was the myth of the new women compared to the reality in Politics and public Life

Answer 17

The myth was that they Gained equal voting rights + could be
Reichstag deputies – 1919 41 women were elected but in reality there were no female Reichsrat members, party leaders or cabinet members

Question 18

What was the position of young people

Answer 18

Concerns arise over youth transitioning from education to crime, particularly from working-class families who didn’t attend gymnasium schools and were meant to get apprenticeships. Rising youth unemployment and a baby boom from 1900-1910 led to 17% of unemployed individuals aged 14-21 in 1925-6 even though Germany had one of the best state education systems in Europe

Question 19

Who were the 3 main Youth groups

Answer 19

Wandervogel, a non-political youth group, was predominantly middle-class boys, expressing nationalistic sentiments and a romanticized view of the past. Church youth groups, both Catholic and Protestant, promoted religious observance and respect. Political youth groups, including the SPD, KPD, and DVNP, appealed to middle and upper-class youths.

Question 20

What was The Position of Jews (Industry)

Answer 20

½ million + Jews living in Germany – 80% lived in cities and were well educated with many being patriotic. Had considerable wealth + industry influence. E.g. Rathenau family controlled huge electrical firm AEG. Jewish banking families (Rothschilds) owned 18% of private banks. Jews made up: 16% of lawyers – especially high in Berlin 1835/3400 lawyers Jews ,11% doctors + won 9/38 Nobel peace prizes + owned ½ of cloth trade.

Question 21

What was The position of Jews (Politics)

Answer 21

Jewish publishing firms had powerful stance in media – 2 large Jewish run newspapers (the Berliner Tageblatt + Frankfurter Zeitung) which promoted liberal views. Theodor Wolff (editor of BT) was driving force of liberal DDP creation. Barmat Scandal 1925 – 3 Jewish brothers were convicted of bribing officials to get loans from Prussian state bank – this fuelled anti-Semitic attacks.

Question 22

Who was President Hindenburg

Answer 22

In 1925, Ebert’s sudden death caused political problems as there was no clear successor, leading to Hindenburg winning by 2%. He was a symbol of the past (with military uniform + war medals) and viewed as a step away from parliamentary democracy. He upheld loyalty to the constitution and did not immediately swing to the right.

Question 23

Who was involved in Coalition Politics

Answer 23

The 1928 election saw the formation of a ‘grand co-coalition’ comprising SPD, DDP, DVNP, and ZP, led by Hermann Müller, gaining 60% Reichstag support and establishing democracy. Müller’s strong working relationship with Stresemann significantly influenced survival in the Reichstag, with only 2 governments having majorities and the longest surviving 21 months, despite disagreements on foreign policies and budget.

Question 24

What were the 2 1924 Election results

Answer 24

Two elections in 1924 – May 61% voted for pro republican parties, Dec 67%. DVNP peaked in 1924 with 103 seats but fell in May 1928.
Extremist parties; both left and right, polled less than 30% of the votes. The Nazis lost ground from 6% in May and to 3% in December 1924 – and were reduced further to 12 seats (2.6%) in 1928. The KPD remained below their performance of May 1924 and well below June 1920 but saw revival of electoral support in 1928. The SPD made big gains in 1928 winning 153 seats.

Question 25

Was there political stability

Answer 25

The SPD’s reluctance to participate in coalition governments between 1924 and 1928 weakened the Republic’s political system, as it contradicted the process of representation. President Hindenburg’s attempt to exclude the SPD from government made political consensus unlikely. Even when coalitions were included, they were not successful due to the DVP and Centre Party’s reluctance to allow SPD domination. Hindenburg also insisted on the inclusion of the DNVP, limiting the possibility of a ‘grand coalition’. The May 1928 election saw the left gain significant seats, making the SPD prepared to form coalitions. However, political polarization made forming a stable majority government impossible, leading to splinter parties.

Question 26

What were Stresemann’s Foreign Policy aims

Answer 26

His broad aim was to restore Germanys power prosperity whilst still recognising Germany wasn’t in the position to challenge the Allies military. His strategy called ‘fulfilment’ entailed: Negotiation, Gaining western powers confidence + ending Germanys diplomatic isolation,
Using Germanys economic potential, Close cooperation with the USA to gain economic aid, Satisfying French demand for military and Building links with the USSR to put slight pressure on the West

Question 27

What were his main achievements

Answer 27

Main achievements include: reorganised reparations, the Locarno Pact, joining the League of nations, treaty of berlin, allied occupation ending and disarmament.

Question 28

What was The Treaty of Rapallo (Apr 1922)

Answer 28

Soviet-German Treaty establishing a friendship between each other both wanting military action against Poland due to TOV, but it was to put pressure on the West who called it an ‘Unholy alliance’

Question 29

What was The Locarno Pact (Oct 1925)

Answer 29

It was signed by Britain, France, Belgium, and Italy it assured Franco-German and Belgian-German borders, Permanent demilitarisation of the Rhineland and the arbitration treaties between Germany, Poland and Czechoslovakia

Question 30

What was The League of Nations

Answer 30

Stresemann sought diplomatic success after Locarno, including restoration of Saar + Rhineland, reduction of reparations, and eastern frontier revision. Limited diplomatic success from 1926-30, with Germany joining LON in 1926.

Question 31

What was The Kellogg Briand Pact

Answer 31

The Kellogg Briand Pact was a declaration that outlawed ‘war as an
instrument of national policy’. – had no practical effect but showed Germany was working with 68 nations.

Question 32

What was The Treaty of Berlin (1926)

Answer 32

Stresemann prioritized friendship with the west while maintaining good relations with the USSR. The treaty, signed by Germany and the USSR, reduced strategic fears, placed pressure on Poland, opened a large commercial market, and increased military cooperation, while also putting minor pressure on the west.

Question 33

When was the end of Allied Occupation

Answer 33

Calling of passive resistance persuaded France to leave from the Ruhr 1924-25. After Locarno pact allies left Zone 1 (cologne) by December 1925.

Question 34

State 3 reasons for stability resulting from foreign policy

Answer 34

Stresemann achieved a greater understanding with France as reflected in the Locarno Treaties of 1925. Stresemann’s policies resulted in Germany regaining diplomatic influence over the Allies and helped achieve a seat on the League of Nations’ permanent council which boosted Germanys reputation. Germany worked towards agreement with the Soviet Union (Treaty of Berlin) which
prompted the Western Powers into a more systematic approach with Germany

Question 35

State a reason against stability from foreign policy

Answer 35

The issue of the Versailles Treaty plagued politics and caused disagreements between the DNVP and DVP/DDP – causing their 1925 coalition to collapse