Weimar 1923 - 29 (Age of Recovery) Flashcards
The Nazi Party in 1928.
12 seats in the Reichstag.
Described as being on the ‘lunatic fringe of German politics.’
How did the Republic survive the crisis of hyper-inflation?
Stresemann formed a broad based Government.
Called off passive resistance - France and Belgium left the Ruhr.
Collected in old worthless currency and replaced it with the Rentenmark.
Negotiated a load of 800 million gold marks with America. (Dawes Plan- 1924)
What were the political ‘achievements’ of the Weimar Republic under Stresemann?
An end to the political extremism seen between 1919 & 1923.
Improved relations with neighbours - Germany admitted into the League of Nations in 1926.
Why did the Republic remain politically ‘fragile’?
Frequent changes of Government (25 in 14 years)!
Nationalists remained mistrustful (esp. Of foreign policy)
Governments failed to pass any ‘major’ legislation - German people ‘unconvinced’
30% of the national vote still went to parties opposed to the Republic.
Election of Hindenburg (Nationalist) in 1925 - suggested democracy was failing to embed itself in German political culture.
What were the economic achievements in the period 24-29?
Dawes Plan - significant investment.
Reduced burden of reparations payments.
Inflation brought under control.
Wages rose - cost of living fell - overall standard of living improved.
New public works programmes were begun. (Schools and roads)
Industrial output reached pre war levels in 1923 and doubled by 1929.
The Young Plan brought further economic relief / optimism.
What were the economic concerns in this ‘so-called’ Age of Recovery?
The recovery was based on US investment - in the form of short term loans. If the loans were withdrawn the recovery would be threatened.
Small ‘peasant farmers’ not enjoying any economic recovery.
Smaller businesses felt they were losing out to big business.
Did a cultural revival help democracy in Weimar Germany?
Yes - cultural developments such as the Bauhaus movement gave the impression of a progressive and ‘flourishing’ society - ordinary Germans enjoying freedom of speech / expression and good for German ‘morale’.
No - Culture is a divisive issue - right wingers only saw decadence (nightclubs and Cabernet) and a decline in morale values.
What was the Young Plan of 1929?
Negotiated by Stresemann - made further progress with reparations.
The Young Plan reduced the total reparations debt from £6.6 million to £2 million.
Germany was given another 59 years to pay.
It reduced the annual amount the government had to pay
This made it possible to lower taxes
This, in turn, released spending power, which boosted German industry and employment
