The Stresemann Era 1924-29

Question 1

Between what years was the Stresemann era?

Answer 1

1924-29

Question 2

What 4 issues did Stresemann fix or improve for Germany?

Answer 2

1. Hyperinflation crisis
2. French and Belgian troops in the Ruhr
3. Economic recovery
4. Foreign relations

Question 3

How did Stresemann fix the hyperinflation crisis?

Answer 3

• he stopped the printing of bank notes
• introduced a temporary new currency - the Rentenmark
• this was replaced by the Reichsmark

Question 4

To what extent did Stresemann fix the hyperinflation crisis?

Answer 4

• hyperinflation ended
• people who had lost their savings never got their money back and blamed Stresemann

Question 5

How did Stresemann deal with the French and Belgian troops in the Ruhr?

Answer 5

• arranged for the USA to lend 800 million gold marks to Germany
• Germany’s then re-started its reparation payments

Question 6

What was the Dawes Plan?

Answer 6

• USA lent money to Germany (800 million gold marks)
• a new payment schedule was implemented to allow Germany to pay the reparations

Question 7

To what extent did Stresemann solve the issue of French and Belgian troops in the Ruhr?

Answer 7

• the French and Belgian troops left the Ruhr
• some Germans felt Stresemann should have a demanded a complete end to the reparations

Question 8

What was the Young Plan?

Answer 8

reduced the total payment of reparations

Question 9

How did Stresemann aid Germany in its economic recovery?

Answer 9

he used American borrowed money to build new factories, houses, schools and roads

Question 10

To what extent did Germany’s economy recover from 1924-29?

Answer 10

• there were more jobs so Germans earned more money
• Germany became more prosperous
• some feared that Germany relied too much on American loans

Question 11

In what ways did Stresemann improve Germany’s foreign relations?

Answer 11

• signed the Locarno Pact
• joined the League of Nations
• signed the Kellogg-Briand Pact

Question 12

What was the Locarno Pact?

Answer 12

• signed by Germany, Britain, France and Belgium
• they promised never to invade one another

Question 13

What was the League of Nations and why was Germany joining it significant?

Answer 13

• international peacekeeping organisation
• Germany had been banned from it when it was set up in 1919

Question 14

What was the Kellogg-Briand Pact?

Answer 14

The participating countries agreed never to go to war, unless in defence.

Question 15

To what extent did Stresemann improve Germany’s relationships with other nations?

Answer 15

• Germany regained its international status and became and important part in the League of Nations
• some Germans criticised Stresemann for not demanding back some of the land taken in the ToV

Question 16

What problems were still ongoing in Germany by 1929?

Answer 16

• there were many political parties and they wasted time arguing over decisions
• extreme political parties (eg. Nazis, communists) did not support the Weimar system
• large groups of Germans were poor, eg farmer and middle classes who lost their savings in the hyperinflation crisis
• Germany prosperity was build on American loans who could demand it back

Question 17

Describe cinema in the Stresemann era.

Answer 17

• cinema became very popular
• Metropolis was the most technically advanced film of the decade
• German actress Marlene Dietrich became a global star playing glamorous and strong-willed women

Question 18

Describe nightlife in the Stresemann era.

Answer 18

• Germany became a centre for new plays operas and shows
• musicians performed vulgar songs about politicians that would have been banned under the Kaiser
• Berlin was famous for its nightclubs with live bands that played American Jazz

Question 19

Describe literature in the Stresemann era.

Answer 19

• people had 120 newspapers to choose from
• German anti-war novel, All Quiet on the Western Front became a bestseller

Question 20

Describe art and design during the Stresemann era.

Answer 20

• avant-garde artists such as Otto Dix believed art should show reality
• a new group of designers known as Bauhaus believed in modern, practical designs

Question 21

How did Germans react to the changes in culture during the 20s?

Answer 21

• some embraced the changes
• other hated them and wanted culture to celebrate traditional German values
• they believed the new nightclubs, shows and painting were leading Germany into a moral decline