Recovery of Weimar Flashcards
Who was Gustav Stresemann?
1923 Aug-Sep he becomes chancellor to recover economy.
After that remains as foreign minister.
Survives because centre moderate parties form coalition
How did Stresemann prevent hyperinflation?
Stopped passive resistance in Ruhr = more goods production
Promised to pay reparations = France left Ruhr
Introduced new currency rentenmark = tied to the value of gold
More sympathy from allies = willing to discuss plans to help Germany
Dawes Plan
Same total amount of reparations but stretched over a longer period (lowered annual payment)
USA banks loaned 3000 million dollars to Germany who would pay them back
Young Plan
Total Payments reduced by 3/4
Deadline extended to 59 years
Yearly payment
Annual payment was only 1/3 of what was normally required
Other 2/3 only paid if they could afford it
Locarno treaties
Germany, France and Belgium agreed to respect their post-treaty borders
Germany agreed with Poland and Czechoslovakia to settle any border disputes peacefully
Because Germany previously complained about territory loss
Joining the League of Nations
When it was set up Germany was excluded by TOV
After signing Locarno Treaties Germany showed it accepted TOV
Now accepted as a permanent member of the Council of League
Kellogg-Briand Pact
Signed which agreed with 15 Nations to only use army in self defence and be peaceful
Changes in living from 1924-1929
Hourly wages rose
Pensions and sickness benefits schemes introduced
Government money provided for the building of public facilities
Cultural shifts: more modern forms of art and entertainment rather than traditional forms
More modern ideals
Progress for women in politics
Could now vote
Voting turnout in the elections Jan 1919 was the same as men’s at 82 per cent.
Women started becoming politicians
Other politicians acknowledged women were now voters and promised benefits for them to increase favour
Progress for women in work
The number of women in work 1925 was 1.7 million higher than it had been in 1907
Women were increasingly taking on professional jobs
Changes in art
Dada movement, challenged traditional art from pre WW1
New objectivity, challenged expressionism to show the real world
Abstract and modern art began to increase in popularity due to lack of censorship
Bauhaus
Examples of new leisure
Cinema in the 20s and 30s boomed in popularity in Germany
Who was the new president in 1925?
Hindenburg
What did the new Presidency of Hindenburg show?
That the older generation accepted the new Republic
When was the Rentenmark introduced?
Nov 1923
Why was the Rentenmark good?
Tied to value of gold
Only a certain amount can be printed
= kept its value
New objectivity artists
Otto Dix
George Grosz
Changes in politics 1924-29
Less political instability
Less support for extremist groups such as communists and Nazis
Neue Sachlichkeit
Means ‘New objectivity’
Modern art movement
Shows everyday life
1927 unemployment insurance law
Workers and employees made money contributions to unemployment welfare
What year were the Kellogg Briand treaties?
1928
What year was the Locarno treaties?
1925
What year did Germany join the League of Nations?
1926
Daws plan year
1924
Young plan year
1930
What treaties did Stresemann agree on?
Dawes plan
Locarno treaties
Joined League of Nations
NOT YOUNG PLAN
How did Stresemann’s plans affect the political tensions?
Extreme parties lessened in success as more supported the Weimar
How did Stresemann’s plans affect employment?
Higher factory production = less unemployment
Unemployment insurance law = workers made contributions to welfare scheme
But half didn’t qualify for this
And still low for lawyers + civil servants
How did Stresemann’s plans affect the army?
Number of troops and weapons still limited = felt defenceless
Army still didn’t feel convinced about Weimar
How did Stresemann’s plans affect standard of living?
Workers had higher wage so better standard of living
Built more homes
More benefits however many didn’t qualify for this
Higher morale
How did Stresemann’s plans affect the overall economy of Germany?
Had a boost from USA loans so could pay workers
And higher production of goods as industry had a boost
Yet they were reliant on USA loans so if there was a problem = bad
What pacts aimed to boost Germany’s position among other European countries?
Kellog Briand pact
Locarno treaties
Joined league of nations
Why did Stresemann introduce treaties that improved Germany’s position in Europe?
Because Germany was on no power to challenge the allies by force
So attempted to use a policy of compliance to improve foreign policy
What was Stresemann’s foreign policy called in dealing with the allies?
Erfüllungspolitik = fulfilment
Complying with treaty of Versailles in order to improve relations with allies thus a better position to improve prosperity
Spirit of Locarno
The relief that all boarder disputes would be settled peacefully
Further strengthened when joined League of Nations
How did Stresemann’s foreign policy impact the allies?
They left Cologne, Germany which had been previously occupied
What was Germany’s position like in League of Nations
Member of the council of the league
Couldn’t decide on decisions gains aggressors as based on TOV
But could raise German interest
League of Nations relationship with USA
Loans from USA gov + private investors into League
Raised money for different spending programmes ie housing
Problem with Germany getting loans from America?
They became reliant on these
Not only from the Dawes plan but also from investments in League of Nations
So damage to USA economy would cause them to withdraw loans = boost to economy gone
