1924-1929: Stresemann Era Flashcards
When was Gustav Stresemann appointed Chancellor and how long did he remain in this role for?
1923 - only 3 months
What role did Stresemann hold after Chancellor and until when?
Foreign Minister until his death in 1929
How did Stresemann end hyperinflation in his time as Chancellor?
- Ended the German workers’ strike in the Ruhr which increased production and boosted the economy
- Pledged to begin reparation payments again
- Introduced the Rentenmark which stabilised prices
- Government redundancies to reduce spending
What was the Dawes Plan?
Agreed Sept 1924, lowered the reparation payments to 1 billion Marks per year for the first five years - 2.5 billion after that - USA loaned Germany 800 million Marks
What was the Young Plan?
1929 - reduced the reparation amount by 20% to £2.2 billion - payments to end in 1988 - USA would provide further loans to help
What Treaties were agreed in 1925 where Germany promised to respect its existing borders with France and Belgium?
Locarno Treaties
What key event happened in 1926?
Germany was admitted into the League of Nations
What agreement was signed in 1928 by 62 countries whereby disputes would be settled peacefully?
Kellogg-Briand Pact
What was the Treaty of Berlin?
-Soviet-German agreement which renewed the Treaty of Rapallo (1922). Strengthened the countries’ economic and military ties - allowed Germany to secretly build up its armed forces on Soviet territory, so the Allies couldn’t find out about this breach of the Versailles treaty.
How did culture expand in this period?
Weimar Constitution removed strict censorship experienced under the Kaiser -Art, design and architecture all developed and influenced culture -1920’s a golden age for German cinema - Berlin famous for its nightlife
What did this period become known as?
The Golden Age
What were the signs of recovery during the Stresemann era?
By 1928 industrial production levels were higher than those of 1913 (before World War One)
Between 1925 and 1929 exports rose by 40 per cent
Hourly wages rose every year from 1924 to 1929 and by 10 per cent in 1928 alone
Generous pension, health and unemployment insurance schemes were introduced from 1927
What were the signs of continued weakness during the Stresemann era?
agricultural production did not recover to its pre-war levels
Germany spent more on imports than it earned from exports, so they were losing money
Unemployment did not fall below 1.3 million and in 1929 increased to 1.9 million
German industry became dependent upon loans from the USA
How was the Nazi party affected by the Stresemann era?
- in 1924, they held 32 seats in the Reichstag, dropped to 12 by 1928 -worked on improving the party to appeal to more voters - set up youth organisations and recruitment drives
What event happened in 1929 which shattered German recovery?
Wall Street Crash
