Stresemann

Question 1

Young Plan

Answer 1

August 1929
Reduced the total reparation debt from 6,6 billion to 2 billion
Payments could be made over time
Lower taxes for German people
Some political parties opposed (Nazi’s) saying that it was a burden for future generations.
February 1929 Stresemann persuaded USA to re-examine reparations
Reduced the amount
Reduced annual payments
59 years payback period
End of allied supervision on German banking and provision for ant disputed to be settled at the International Court of Justice at the Hague
Right wing opposed any reparations at all

Question 2

Dawes Plan

Answer 2

1924
US gave loans to Germany
Allies felt more confident that they would get their reparation payments
To reverse the reparations agreement by Stresemann
Supported by USA who wanted their loans to the Allies payed back
Amount stayed the same but new method of paying it back and that no actions would take place without joint consultation should they fail to make a payment
And a large US loan to boost the economy
Opposed by right-wing groups (DNVP and the Nazi party)
Agreed in July 1924
French withdrew from the Ruhr 1942-25
New currency reichsmark
Caused better relations with France

Question 3

Munich Putsch

Answer 3

Reasons: 
Stab in the back
Reparations
Loss of German colonies
Influenced by Italian Fascists (Mussolini)
Hyperinflation
French invasion of the Ruhr
Hitler thought he had support

Course:
Hitler
Marched on Berlin with 1000 SA + 2000 volunteers
Declared himself president
Forced government leaders to support him at gun point (betrayed and let go)
Hitler was found hiding at a friend’s and arrested
Sent to prison
Failed because of lack of support
Used his trail for publicity
Wrote Mein Kampf in prison
Decided to become a political party

Question 4

Locarno Treaties

Answer 4

1925
German, Britain, France, Italy and Belgium
The allies & Germany agreed to permanent demilitarisation of the Rhineland
German membership of the League was up for discussion
Improved relations with France
Not imposed on Germany (unlike the treaty)
Helped to boost confidence of moderate political parties
Stresemann wanted to precent France and Britain from forming an anti-German alliance since the French were beginning to feel threatened by Germany’s industrial recovery
Signed on 1 December 1925
Confirmed Germany’s acceptance of its western border
Meant that Britain would help France if ever attacked by Germany and that Germany would never face another Ruhr invasion
France promised to withdraw troops from the Rhineland
Established Germany’s position as an equal partner with France and Britain
Left Eastern European states feeling vulnerable
Joined League of Nations afterwards

Question 5

Passive resistance

Answer 5

Called off the passive resistance in the Ruhr, reduced government expenditure dismissing many civil servants and promised to start paying reparations again
Introduced new currency - Rentenmark (based on the gold standard)
Through stabilising economy bankrupted many businesses

Question 6

Golden age

Answer 6

1920s wave of new cultural achievements
New forms of expression spread across Europe and the USA in the aftermath of the First World War. However, in Germany after 1924, ‘modernism’ became linked with “liberty’ and the new republican values.
New media such as radio, gramophones and film made the arts more accessible to the general population
Erich Maria Remarque’s All Quiet on the Western Front, for example, questioned whether war was the heroic enterprise it had previously been depicted as.
A new youth culture reflected the Americanisation of society (more accepting)
Spectator sports, dance halls and Hollywood films, became popular
For some, this tide of cultural experimentation was exciting and liberating. For others, it was a sign of the decline of a once-great nation (caused a lot of opposition and censorship)
1929 wall street crash