The recovery of Germany 1923-29 Flashcards
What were the main aims of Streseman in government?
Restore control over the German economy and tame the hyperinflation.
Improve Germany’s international relationships
Prevent any uprisings against the Weimar Republic
Why was Germany joining the League of Nations so important to their international relationships?
By joining the League of Nations, Germany was able to put forward proposials which would benefit Germany, Furthermore, Germany was also given the power to veto which meant that they could disagree with anything that might affect Germany in a negative way. Within the League of Nations, Germany could build relationships which were once broken from the war and hopefully improve things like trade.
Did the League of Nations have any limitations?
Yes, at the point that Germany joined the League of Nations, neither USA or USSR were part of the organisations. These two great international powers not being in the League of Nations meant that it did not have the support or recognition from other international countries as Germany hoped. However, it was the right step forward for Germany in improving her foreign diplomacy. In addition, the majority of the League of Nation’s powers- arbitration and condemnation- were moral arguments anad could therefore be ignored by the determined country. This meant that the aim of the League of Nations, to avoid conflict between nations, was useless as a country’s moral perspective is subjectve and therefore cannot be determined by the League of Nations.
What were the social steps that Streseman made in improving Germany?
Germany became one of the first welfare states in the world. They also increased the income tax from 4% to 60%, this meant that the wealthier people paid more tax. Streseman created the Youth Welfare Act after the hyperinflation to reduce poverty. In this act, every child has the right to education, spiritual, physical and social fitness.
Article 155- attempt in addressing the housing situation in Germany.
His aims in social were focused primarily on children and the future
Where were the problems in the steps put in place in improving Germany in a social aspect?
The increase in tax faced opposition as the middle class were the hardest hit by the hyperinflation and were now being heavily taxed. Big businesses and the middle and upper classes felt like the government were favouring the lower classes.
What the social steps successful?
The social positive steps allowed many Germans an escape from their bland lives of poverty and unemployment. However, this did not change the situation that they battled every single day. Education improved as more schools were opened, thus improving the education of the future of Germany. However the resentment towards the Weimar Government increased amongst the middle and upper classes as they felt like they were being treated unfairly.
What the steps led by Streseman to tackle the financial problems that Germany faced?
Streseman called off passive resistance in the Ruhr
Replaced the old German currency with the a new one.
Dawes Plan 1924 allowed Germany a longer period of time for them to pay back the reparations
The Young Plan- USA lent Germany 800 million marks in order to rebuild itself after the war
What were the issues with the financial steps?
Many people were angry with the calling off of passive resistance as they thought they did not have to pay the reparation bill
Increased anti-semititic attitudes
Germany was now heavily dependent on the USA economy
Dawes Plan- people thought that they should not have to pay the bill anyway
Were the financial steps sucesssful?
In the short term, yes, as the money loaned to Germany allowed it to rebuild its destroyed infrastructure
Calling off passive resistance put Germany in a more stable position as it did not have the French or Belgian troops occupied in Germany anymore
The Dawes Plan allowed Germany some thinking time and created a space for it to breathe and rebuild.
Long term- if USA economy were to fall, Germany would also feel the effects of it drastically
How was the Great Coalition beneficial to German government?
Made parties which would of normally opposed one another to work together for once. Eradicated the problem of proportional representation.
