The Golden Era Flashcards
How did the Dawes plan come about?
In 1923, the allied reparations commission tasked an American banker, Dawes with finding a solution Germany’s economic problems. Dawes set out his plan in 1924, which allowed reparations payments to be more manageable.
What were the statistics on reparations? (3)
Germany only paid 1/8 of the total reparations
After 1923, they were never more than 3% of GDP
18,000 mil marks given in loans but only 11,000 mil paid in reparations.
What was many German’s reactions to the Dawes plan?
They were unhappy at being dependant on America.
What were some of the non-repreation terms of the Dawes plan? (4)
Allied troops would leave the Ruhr
All allies, not just France, would decide on sanctions if Germany did not pay its debt.
The allies would reorganise the Reichbank
The USA would give Germany a loan of 800 million Reichmarks to stabilise the economy
What did the Dawes plan do to reparations? (2)
They would be 1 billion marks in the 1st year and rise to 2.5 billion a year from 1928
Reparations would come from many different sources including customs and farm animals.
What happened to unemployment in the golden era?
From 1924-29 it increased, was the highest in 1926 when 10% of the working population were unemployed.
Dipped after 1926 so may have continued if the WSC had not happened
How was Germany’s economic growth?
Behind that of the UK, USA and France
What happened to farmers? (3)
They struggled to buy new equipment, or got into debt, after the modernisation of farmers across Europe created competition
Also struggled after an outbreak of foot and mouth disease, and due to poor harvests.
Agriculture prices fell by 35% and many farmers became unemployed.
What did the middle classes not like?
The welfare benefits that were introduced caused taxes to rise.
What did the RW/LW blame for economic problems?
RW blamed versailles and the republic
LW blamed elite for not investing more in companies
What happened to international trade?
Germany was in a trade deficit, (exports < imports) but much less than the 1923 deficit
What happened to wages?
Increased by 9% in 1927 and a further 12% in 1928
What was improved during this era?
Public services improved hospitals, electricity supplies, schools and roads.
What were the statistics on strike days
33mil strike days in 1919, only 3 mil in 1925
What happened to industrial production? (2)
Both iron and coal production doubled from 1923- 1928, industrial production overall doubled.
However steel and coal production still below 1913 level
How do we know the government felt economically secure?
They introduced welfare benefits.
When did the allies leave the Rhineland?
Left zone 1 near Cologne in December 1925, after Locarno, completely left in June 1930 (after Stresemann threatened to not ratify young unless it happened)
On what terms could Germany join the LoN? (2)
They were allowed to join after Locarno, and were given ‘great power status’ so they were on the council and could veto (reject a decision).
Could not take part in military action however
What was the treaty of Berlin? (3)
Between Germany and USSR
Publicly, neither side would attack each other for 5 years, and German banks would give loans to Soviet businesses.
Secretly, German troops began to train in the USSR
What happened to Germany in 1926?
Stresemann got the inter-allied military commission to leave Germany.
What was the Kellogg-Briand pact? (2)
Signed by 15 countries in Paris 1928, including Germany, they agreed not to use violence to settle disputes.
Eventually signed by 70 counties
What did Kolb say about Stresemann?
he was a cooly calculating Nationalist
What was the idea of fulfilment?
Erfullungspolitik
Continue to comply with Versailles as well as improve relations with the allies to gain trust and negotiate better terms.
What is the evidence for Stresemann being a good German? (6)
Treaty of Berlin Crown Prince letter Inter-Allied military commission LoN Locarno treaty Dawes/Young (Dawes made it more manageable- 1 billion a year)
What is the evidence for Stresemann being a good European? (5)
Locarno treaty Kellog-Briand pact LoN Kept paying reparations Hague conference
How was Stresemann successful? (5)
He won the Nobel peace prize for Locarno Given a seat on the LoN Berlin treaty Reparations more manageable, Rhineland Eastern borders up for debate
How was Stresemann not successful? (4)
Germany became reliant on American finance
Young plan mean reparations paid for long time (decided as The Hague conference)
Germany’s army well below UK/ France
ToV not destroyed
How did Sir Horace Rumbold describe Stresemann?
The ‘greatest statesman’
How was housing improved in Weimar? (3)
2 million houses built, 200,000 renovated
Homelessness reduced by 60% by 1928
By 1929 the state was spending 33x more on housing than it had in 1913
How was health improved in the welfare system? (3)
Hospital beds increased by 50% compared to pre-war years
In 1910, there was 4.8 doctors per 100,000, by 1930 there was 7.4
What was wrong with the health system?
There was an increasing belief that mental/physical illnesses were hereditary, which led to a scrutiny of people’s lives to decide whether or not they were entitled to aid.
This was against the constitution where everyone was equal.
By 1926 how many people was the gov supporting? (3)
360,000 war widows
900,000 fatherless children
2.5 million people total
What percentage of government expenditure was spent on pensions?
40%
How much were the working days increased by?
2 hours- 8hr day to 10hr day
