1.3 The recovery of the Republic, 1924-29

Question 1

When was Gustav Stresemann appointed chancellor, and by whom

Answer 1

August 1923, by President Ebert

Question 2

When did Stresemann resign as chancellor

Answer 2

November 1923 (after about 3 months of chancellorship), but he remained as a foreign secretary until 1929

Question 3

What was Stresemann’s goal

Answer 3

Make the political situation in Germany more stable.

• He hoped that by stabilising the economy and regaining respect for Germany in foreign affairs, Germans would feel more content with the Weimar Republic.
• He also wanted to lose support for extremist parties like the NSDAP and the KPD.

Question 4

Rentenmark

Answer 4

Set up in November 1923 by Stresemann

• The Rentenbank, also new, a state-owned bank, would issue the Rentanmark as new currency to fight hyperinflation.
• The supply of this currency was strictly limited, and its value was linked to gold.
• Backed by German industrial plants and agricultural land.
• In August 1924, a new independent national bank, the Reichsbank, was given control of the currency, and it became known as the Reichsmark.

Question 5

When was the Dawes Plan

Answer 5

Stresemann agreed to the terms in April 1924

Question 6

The Dawes Plan

Answer 6

Plan by Charles G. Dawes, an American banker, who had been asked by the allies to resolve Germany’s non-payment of reparations.

• Agreed to in April 1924
• Reparations reduced to 50 million pounds per year
• US banks gave loans to German industry, total of $25 billion between 1924 and 1930
• After the French left the Ruhr, industrial output doubled between 1923 and 1928
• Employment, trade and taxation income increased
• Most Germans were reassured that the Weimar Republic was politically strengthened
• Extreme political parties furious
• Germany had agreed to pay reparations again, and the entire fragile economic recovery depended on US loans.

Question 7

When was the Young Plan

Answer 7

The plan was put forward in August 1929

Question 8

The Young Plan

Answer 8

Put forward in August 1929, set up by the allies, headed by American banker called Owen Young.

• Reduced total reparations from 6.6 billion pounds to just 2 billion
• Germany given further 59 years to pay
• Allowed the government to lower taxes on ordinary German people
• Released public spending power; boosted industry and made more jobs; ‘virtuous cycle’ of economic growth
• The French agreed to leave the Rhineland in 1930
• Increased confidence in the Weimar Republic
• Referendum in 1929 resulted in 35 million Germans voting in favour of the Young Plan; 85% of votes
• Extremist groups angered, Adolf Hitler said it was ‘passing on the penalty to the unborn’

Question 9

When was the Locarno Pact

Answer 9

Stresemann signed the Locarno pact on 1 December 1925

Question 10

The Locarno Pact

Answer 10

Signed in December 1925 between Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Belgium.

• Agreed upon by Germany, not imposed, for once!
• Germany accepted its new 1919 border with France and France promised peace with Germany
• Rhineland would be demilitarised
• Would discuss German membership in the League of Nations
• Made war in Europe less likely
• Germany was being treated as an equal, for once!
• Extremist parties still whining >:(

Question 11

When did Stresemann earn the Nobel Peace Prize

Answer 11

1926, after the successes of the Locarno Pact.

Question 12

German participation in the League of Nations

Answer 12

In September 1926, Stresemann persuaded the other great powers to accept Germany as a member in the LoN

• Boost to moderate parties, who supported Stresemann
• Boosted confidence in Weimar Republic

Question 13

When was the Kellogg-Briand Pact signed

Answer 13

Signed in August 1928

Question 14

The Kellogg-Briand Pact

Answer 14

Signed in August 1928 by Germany and 61 other countries which promised they wouldn’t use war to achieve foreign policy aims.

• USA was not in the League of Nations, so saw this as a way that the country could assist peace
• Showed that Germany was included amongst the main powers, not dictated by them
• The Weimar Republic got even more respected
• Increased confidence in moderate political parties
• Did nothing to remove the hated terms of the Treaty of Versailles, so people still angry >:(

Question 15

Stresemann’s strategy’s impact on domestic politics

Answer 15

• Support for moderate parties rose from 50% in 1924 to 58% in 1928
• Support for extreme parties fell
• When Friedrich Ebert died in 1925 (who was seen as a ‘November criminal’) and was replaced by Hindenburg, the Republic was given a strong figurehead.
• Confidence really increased in the Republic and in moderate politics

Question 16

Stresemann’s death

Answer 16

October 3rd 1929 after six years as foreign minister with a heart attack.

• The loss of his moderate policies had a severe blow to the Weimar Republic
• World economic crisis followed soon after
• Unleashed new wave of extreme economic and political pressures on the Weimar Republic

Question 17

When did Friedrich Ebert die, and who replaced him

Answer 17

He died in 1925, and was replaced by Paul von Hindenburg, the former field marshal of the Kaiser’s army. He gave the Republic a strong figurehead.