How Accurate Is It To Describe Years 1924-1929 As A Period of Deceptive Stability Flashcards
Introduction
On whole appeared stable, but were key issues which made stability false.
Key issues were loans from abroad & lack cooperation.
What is the Acronym?
RELFSCH (rentenmark/reischsbank, employers loss of control, loans [24/28], freedom law, SPD/Stresseman, Condition [social]).
Economy Stability
Rentenmark introduced and ended crisis. Reichbank reorganisation. Literal growth from 1913-1928 economy up 12%. Indicates stability.
Economic Stability (Counter Argument)
Smaller issues, Reliance on foreign loans
Smaller issues
Employers felt loss of control due to centralisation. Change in working laws from 8-10 hours pushed for by factory owners.
TU growth. 1924-1932=76,000 cases brought to arbitration.
Reduced productivity= 210,000 iron workers locked out over disputes. Shows clear cracks and instability.
Reliance On Foreign Loans
Dawes plan 1924. Caused French to leave, longer and less reparations.
Youngs plan 1928. Reduced rates further, French leaves sooner.
All fell through in 1929 with wall st. crash. Shows devastating long term instability.
Political Instability (Counter Argument)
Struggle to pass Dawes plan due to implication of accepting ToV.
Young plan opposition of freedom law referendum (but this failed).
Shows furthering of partisan politics and highlights economic worries.
Parties As Interest Groups (Counter Argument)
No stable government during this time. Stressemans government (period known as “Stressemans golden years”) collapsed over petty issues of a flag (ironic).
SPD resistance to cooperate so broken coalitions. Shows political instability.
Political Stability
Hindenburg generally a well liked leader (war hero). Little done to upset status quo. No huge attempts to overthrow.
BUT THIS IS DECEPTIVE AS ALTHOUGH NO MAJOR CHANGES, STILL CLEAR INSTABILITY.
Social Stability
Religious freedom, female vote, employment protection independent benefit. Rebuilding of bad housing. Living conditions improved, death rate reduced.
UNEMPLOYMENT WAS STILL HIGH. BENEFITS HARD TO APPLY FOR. SLIPPED EASILY INTO DEPRESSION. CRISIS IN COUNTRYSIDE.
Conclusion
Socially, economically and politically has elements of stability.
Built on an unstable economic basis leaving it weak, a political situation with no mass opposition but a growing partisan politics system which undermined any key decisions. A stronger social situation but one which was built upon a weak economy and without real reforms needed.
Was deceptive stability.
Between which years did the economy grow up 12%?
1913 and 1928
Between which years were 76,000 cases brought to arbitration
1924 and 1932
Youngs plan
1928
When did it all fall through with wall st. crash?
1929
