The Stresemann Era: Domestic and Foreign Policy, 1924-1929. Flashcards
The DVP
Formed by Stresemann in 1919.
- Opposed TofV “death sentence”
- Supported a Constitutional Monarchy
- Opposed Communism
Erfullungspolitik
Fulfilment
-Strategy to comply with the terms of the Treaty of Versailles in order to improve European relations and therefore improve Germany’s standing on the world stage.
Dawes Plan- Date and Provisions
1924
- Allies had to leave Ruhr.
- 1 Billion Marks to be paid in 1st year. 2.5bn to paid every year after.
- All Allies decide sanctions upon failure to meet terms.
- loan of 800 million marks from US.
Dawes Plan- Advantages and Disadvantages
+ Reduced reparations & loans helped stabilise economy.
+ Eased tensions across Europe.
- Industry did not produce enough for Rep. payments AND itself.
- More imports than exports.
- Reliance on loans inextricably linked the economies of Germany and the US.
Dawes Plan- Motivations
“take advantage of the world economic situation as to conduct foreign policy by economic means, as this is the only respect in which we are still a great power.” -Stresemann.
(Erfullungspolitik)
Locarno Pact- Date and Provisions
October 1925 (Officially signed in December)
- Treaty between Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, and Italy.
- Agreed to maintaining Germany’s western borders (as in TofV)
- Eastern German borders undecided, to be settled through arbitration.
- Anyone who broke the treaty, apart from in self-defence, would be attacked by all other signatories.
Locarno Pact- Advantages and Disadvantages
+ Peace and stability
+ Lack of concrete promises in the East allowed opportunities for expansion.
- The removal of Allied troops in the Ruhr was slow meaning Locarno’s affects were not immediately obvious.
Locarno Pact- Motivations
At the time, generally seen as Good european.
CA- after WW2 evidence emerged showing that “Stresemann was also expressing strongly nationalist points of view over such questions as the future of Germany’s Eastern frontiers and the possible union with Austria.” A J Nicholls.
“Germany need feel no restriction on resorting to war in the east, if the occasion arose.” - A J Nicholls.
Treaty of Berlin- Date and Provisions
April 1926
Between Germany and USSR, built on Rapallo Pact of ‘22 w/ military and economic exchanges.
-Will not attack each other in next 5 years
-German banks would give credit to USSR businesses
-SECRET, German could rebuild its military in USSR.
Treaty of Berlin- Advantages and Disadvantages
+ Support from USSR (Big, strong)
+ Appeased Nationalists and Reichswehr
+ Strengthens Germany
- Little military rearmament achieved
- “Western observers were well aware that Germany had not fulfilled the Versailles disarmament clauses […] they realised also that the extent of Germany’s rearmament could not pose a real military threat.” -A J Nicholls
Treaty of Berlin- Motivations
- Used to pressure the west for peaceful relations as they did not want them to grow too strong.
- Lack of actual progress suggests that Stresemann realistically may have known his chances to improve Germany lay with Europe.
League of Nations- Date
September 1926
League of Nations- Advantages and Disadvantages
+ Raise matters that interested them
+ Veto proposals
- RW Nationalists saw this as capitulation to the Allies.
League of Nations- Motivations
Good German- Raise relevant/personal issues.
Good European- Political cooperation.
The Young Plan- Date and Provisions
1929
- Reparations reduced to 37 Million over 58 years.
- Germany able to participate in negotiations, Allies withdrew 5 yrs early.
- No more restrictions on foreign transfers or railways.
