Did the Republic Recover after 1923

• Importance of Stresemann to the Recovery of the Weimar Republic - Summary

  When President Ebert chose Gustav Stresemann as chancellor in August 1923, the German economy had crashed. French invasion of the Ruhr had caused hyperinflation+the German currency, the mark, was worthless.

  Stresemann was chancellor from August-November 1923. He made many decisions in attempt to save Germany's economy. He brought inflation under control by implementing a new currency, the Rentenmark. Stresemann negotiated the Dawes (1924) and Young (1929) plans. This reduced Germany's reparations payments to the Allies
• How Important was Stresemann to the Recovery of the Weimar Republic? - Summary


  By November 1923, Stresemann had lost his position as chancellor. The coalition government broke down when the SPD decided they no longer wanted to work with Stresemann’s party, the DVP. The next chancellor, Wilhelm Marx from the Centre Party, formed a coalition with the DVP and the DDP. Stresemann was appointed foreign minister by Marx.
• How Important was Stresemann to the Recovery of the Weimar Republic? - Summary


  As foreign minister, Stresemann pursued several treaties like Locarno and Kellogg-Briand. He aimed to build better relations with Europe and restore Germany’s reputation as a world power. Stresemann succeeded in his ambitions. In 1926, the League of Nations accepted Germany as a permanent member. In the same year, Stresemann won theNobel Peace Prize. Stresemann died in office on 3rd October 1929.
• Importanance of Stresemann to Recovery of Weimar Republic? - Summary


  Historians debate success of Stresemann’s policies on recovery of Weimar Republic. Some argue Stresemann saved the Republic+state his policies facilitated a ‘Golden Age' from 1923-1929. Between 1924-1929, public’s support of moderate parties increased. Others highlight Stresemann delayed failure of the Republic. Dawes+Young plans meant Germany was reliant on US economic success. If US economy failed, it would trigger a depression in Germany. Wall Street Crash in US in 1929 ultimately caused downfall of Weimar Republic. 
• Who was Gustav Stresemann?

  • Gustav Stresemann became chancellor in August 1923
  • Stresemann was a nationalist
  • Initially, he did not like the Weimar Republic
  • After the assassination of Rathenau, Germany’s foreign minister, Stresemann’s opinion of the government changed
  • He established the DVP (People’s Party), a moderate right political group
  • As chancellor, Stresemann had three aims for Germany:
  • Bring inflation under control
  • Regain Europe’s respect
  • Minimise the support for extremist parties
• The Creation of the Rentenmark

  • Germany’s currency, the mark, was beyond saving:
  • The largest note was 100,000,000,000,000 (100 trillion) marks
  • The government believed there were 400.3 billion trillion marks in circulation
  • In November 1923, Stresemann created a new currencycalled the Rentenmark
  • One Rentenmark was the equivalent of a trillion marks
  • Stresemann established a new state-owned bankcalled the Rentenbank
  • The German public brought marks into the Rentenbank to transfer them into Rentenmarks
• The Creation of the Rentenmark

  • The Rentenmark was a gold standard currency
  • This means that the value of the Rentenmark matched the price of gold
  • European countries trusted gold standard currencies
  • In August 1924, the government created the Reichsbank to control the Rentenmark
  • The government renamed the Rentenmark the Reichsmark
  • The new currency allowed German businesses to trade with foreign countries
• Dawes Plan

  • The agreement of the Dawes Plan helped Germany to economically recover

  
• Young Plan

  • The Young Plan further improved Germany's economic position

  
• Successes of Stresemann

  • Stresemann ended the passive resistance (act of showing in a peaceful way that you oppose something, rather than using violence) in the Ruhr which increased Germany’s production capability
  • The Rentenmark meant that businesses could trade again with other countries
  • The Young plan lowered reparation payments, which helped recover the economy. This increased the Allies’ confidence in Germany’s ability to pay the reparations bill
  • The Dawes Plan brought foreign investment into German industry. This eased tensions between Germany and the Allies
• Weaknesses of Stresemann

  • Germany’s economy was dependent on the US economy. In 1929, Stresemann stated that Germany was “dancing on a volcano”. If the USA recalled the loans or experienced a depression, the ‘volcano’ would erupt and destroy the stability of Weimar Germany
  • Rich and poor remained divided. Farmers particularly struggled with low prices
  • Unemployment remained at one million
• Foreign policy achievements of Gustav Stresemann


  :

  • Locarno Treaties
  • Germany joining LON
  • Kellogg-Briand Pact, 1928

  
• Economic Achievements of Gustav Stresemann

  • Creation of the Rentenmark
  • Dawes Plan- reduction of reparations
  • Young Plan- reduction of reparations
• Foreign Policy Achievements of Gustav Stresemann: Locarno Treaties 


  These treaties helped Germany’s relationship with other countries
• Foreign Policy Achievements of Gustav Stresemann: Germany joins LON

  • Lon was a forum where countries could discuss problems before resorting to armed conflict
  • Due to Clemenceau’s anger, the Tov banned Germany from joining the League of Nations 
  • As a result of the Locarno Treaties, the Lon met with Stresemann to discuss membership
  • In September 1926, Stresemann obtained German membership of the League
  • League permitted Germany to sit on the Lon Council
• The Impacts of Joining the League of Nations

  Positive Impacts

  • Boosted German citizens’ confidence in the Weimar Republic
  • Gained support for moderate parties

  Negative Impacts

  • Some people did not want anything to do with the League of Nations. It was associated with the hated Treaty of Versailles
  • Created anger among extremist parties
• The Kellogg-Briand Pact, 1928- background

  • French foreign minister Aristide Briand met with US Secretary of State Frank B. Kellogg to discuss further steps towards world peace
  • The USA was not in the League of Nations due to focusing on their own affairs
  • Some US politicians were idealists and wanted world peace
  • On 27th August 1928, they assembled Germany and 61 other countries to sign the Kellogg-Briand Pact
  • The Kellogg-Briand Pact stated that war should never be used as a means for resolving disputes between countries
• Impacts of the Kellogg-Briand Pact on Germany

  positive:

  • Boosted German citizens’confidence in the Weimar Republic
  • The world saw Germany as a respectable and trustworthy state. They could enter into treaties as an equal to the other signatories (others who’ve signed an agreement)

  negative:

  • The Kellogg-Briand Pact did not remove the military restrictions imposed by the Treaty of Versailles. This angered extremist parties
  • Many Germans thought other countries would move towards disarmament. Disappointingly, the pact did not promise this
• Impact of Stresemann and his foreign policy achievements on the Reichstag- background

  • When Stresemann became chancellor in August 1923, he aimed to reduce support for extremist parties
  • His success in financial and political affairs achieved this aim
• Impact of Stresemann+his foreign policy achievements on Reichstag

  October 1929:political atmosphere in Germany had radically changed

  • There were no political assassinations between period of 1924-1929
  • There were 6 coalition governments in 1924-1929- fewer than pre-1924
  • Ebert died in 1925
  • Throughout his presidency, Ebert couldn’t detach his reputation from the TOV
  • Paul von Hindenburg replaced Ebert as president
  • Hindenburg was army chief of staff under the Kaiser
  • 3rd October 1929: Stresemann died of heart attack
  • The Wall Street Crash occurred at the end of October
• Foreign Policy Achievements of Gustav Stresemann- successes

  • The French and Belgian soldiers left the Ruhr in 1925. Stresemann’s approach helped created a stronger relationship between Germany and France
  • Politics in Germany stabilised. Moderate parties received more votes. In 1925, Paul von Hindenburg was elected president. This increased confidence in the Weimar Republic
  • The Locarno Treaties, the Young Plan and Germany’s entrance into the League showed that countries accepted Germany back into European affairs
• Foreign Policy achievements of Stresemann- weaknesses

  • This was not enough for nationalists. They believed that the Alliesgot away with unacceptable actions
  • Extremist parties still had 13% of the vote. Hindenburg was a right-wing nationalist who initially did not support the Weimar Republic
  • Nationalists criticised these actions. They were unhappy that the German government continued to follow the Treaty of Versailles
• why Stresemann’s policies helped Germany to recover

  • The end of passive resistance in the Ruhr
  • The reduction of reparations due to the Dawes and Young plans
  • Securing investment from the USA
  • Helping Germany to recover its international reputation