Streseman's 100 Days Flashcards
Streseman’s broad coalition
DVP, DDP, ZP AND SPD and aimed to resolve Germany’s economic plight and also tackle the problem of her weakness internationally.
What crucial initiatives did Streseman make?
1) He called off passive resistance in the Ruhr and promised reparation payments.
2) Country’s expenditure was sharply cut in order to reduce the deficit. Over 700,000 public employees were sacked.
3) Appointed Schacht to oversee the new currency - rentenmark.
4) Evoked sympathy from the allies - for the miracle of the rentenmark.
5) Left and Right wing extremists defeated.
Why did the Weimar not collapse before Streseman?
1) Popular anger directed towards the French and allies than towards the Weimar.
2) Despite inflation, workers did not suffer as much as they do in unemployment in the 30s.
3) Some businesses did very well out of inflation which made them tolerant of the Republic.
No alternative to Weimar?
No obvious alternative to the Weimar Republic in 1923. The extreme left had not really recovered from its divisions and suppression in the years 1918-1921 and in its isolated position did not enjoy enough support to overthrow Weimar. The extreme right was not yet strong enough, it was similarly divided and had no clear plan.
What problems was the Weimar Republic facing?
1) currency had collapsed and hyper-inflation had set in.
2) French and Belgian occupation of the Ruhr.
3) German government had no clear policy on the occupation.
4) Various left wing political disturbances across the country.
5) ultra-conservative state government in Bavaria was defying the national government.
