Foreign Policy: Erfullungspolitik (Fulfilment) Flashcards
Fulfilment
Background Fact 1 - What did the Weimar government do during 1924-1929?
During 1924-1929, the Weimar government followed a foreign policy of fulfillment, meaning that they fully complied to all conditions of the Treaty of Versailles to gain Germany better treatment through negotiation.
Fulfilment
Background Fact 2 - Stresemann
Stresemenn, a foreign minster at the time, supported this policy as he believed that Germany was too weak and vulnerable to do otherwise.
Fulfilment
Reparation Changes - Charles Dawes
- in 1923 Charles Dawes was asked to think of solutions for the hyperinflation crisis of that year. He managed to gain 800 million marks worth of US funding as a result.
✓ US loans supported Weimar financially and helped with Germany’s budget deficit, benefiting Germany.
x However, overtime Germany became over-reliant on US funding which became an issue during The Great Depression after the Wall Street Crash.
Fulfilment
Reparation Changes - Owen Young
- Similarly in 1929, Owen Young, an american industrialist was asked to draft another reparation plan which resulted in him reducing the amount of reparations that Germany had to pay from 132 billion marks to 37 billion.
✓ This greatly helped Germany, lowering the amount it owed all together, benefiting Germany.
x However, much of the Right-wing population in Germany were still unhappy, as they did not want to pay any of the reparations, even if the sum was lowered.
Fulfilment
The Locarno Pact - European Borders
- In October 1925, major European powers met in Swiss town of Locarno to discuss European borders of new states in Central and Eastern Europe.
✓ The Locarno Pact prevented any attack from France on Germany.
x Any country that broke the agreements of the Treaty would be attacked by others, posing threat on Germany.
Fulfilment
The Locarno Pact - 7 Agreements
- The 7 agreements through The Locarno Treaty agreed that Western Europe’s borders would not change, however, that arbitration would take place over disputed land in Poland and Czechoslovakia.
✓ This gave Germany the chance to gain back land in Eastern Europe.
x However, The treaty meant that Germany would not get French land back.
Fulfilment
League of Nations - Germany Excluded
- The League of Nations, which was set up in 1920 as part of the Treaty of Versailles, originally excluded Germany, however, eventually allowed Germany’s inclusion in 1926.
✓ Stresemann used Germany’s membership to bring up areas of concern, benefiting Germany.
x However, Germany joining the League improved global relations, meaning it would be hard to fight against those within the League, benefiting Europe.
Fulfilment
League of Nations - Military Actions
- Germany was given a great power status in joining the League, including the right to ‘veto’, however, was still excluded from joint military action.
✓ Germany only joined the League to promote German interests and gain support, benefiting Germany.
x However, Germany was still excluded from joint military action due to military restrictions through the Treaty of Versailles, benefiting Europe.
Fulfilment
Treaty of Berlin - Rapallo Treaty
- To build better links with the Soviet Union, Germany signed the Treaty of Berlin in April 1926, building on the ‘Treaty of Rapallo’
✓ This prevented Germany from being attacked by a military powerhouse like the USSR
x However, many anti-communists within the German population opposed the signing of the treaty, casuing resentment for the Weimar Government.
Fulfilment
Treaty of Berlin - Public/Secret
- The treaty included public and secret deals including: a public deal, that neither side would attack the other for 5 years; and a secret deal, allowing German troops to secretly train in the USSR.
✓ This allowed Germany to strenghen its army, despite the military restrictions posed by the Treaty of Versailles.
x However, secretly training their military went against the treaty, posing threat onto Germany.
Fulfilment
Allied Occupation - Control
- Germany wanted to put an end to allied occupation, where various countries held control over parts of Germany, for reasons of security and national pride.
✓ Killings as a result of allied troops in Germany would be put to an end, benefiting Germany.
x
Fulfilment
Allied Occupation - Dawes Plan
- As part of Dawes plan, Stresemann ended passive resistance, leading French and Belgian troops to leave the Ruhr during 1924-1925.
✓ This only benefits Germany, as threat of attack is reduced.
x However, allied troops leave Germany at cost of Germany doing something they don’t want in return.
Fulfilment
Disarmament - Treaty of Versailles
- Stresemann aimed to end disarmament which was part of the conditions of the Treaty of Versailles, however did not manage this. Instead he managed to withdraw the Inter-Allied Military Commission in 1926.
✓ The withdrawing of forces within Germany meant that the secret USSR training of the German military went unnoticed.
x However, many Germans were still opposed to this, as they did not want Stresemann to comply to the conditions of the Treaty of Versailles.
Fulfilment
Disarmament - Nobel Peace Prize
In 1926, Stresemann won the Nobel Peace Price for the Locarno Pact, which gave Germany a stronger global influence.
✓ This also reduced reparations and gave Germany the possibility to win back land.
x However many still critisised Stresemann, claiming he was undeserving of the prize.
Fulfilment
Historians - Sally Marks
Sally Marks takes the view that Stresemann was a superlative liar.
