golden years of stresemann Flashcards
Stresemann became chancellor when and what did he stay on as
Became chancellor in 1923 for a few months but stayed on as foreign minister until his death 1929
Stresemann believed that
policies that increased the German people’s confidence and that of the international community were the way forward.
What did stresemann do
solved the currency crisis by introducing the Rentenmark (basically a new currency).
called off the passive resistance to the Ruhr occupation.
The Dawes Plan to boost investment and help with reparations.
Successes of stresemann’s tenure domestically
There were fewer strikes, increased productivity, more construction, increased production in coal, steel, chemicals.
Why did the right hate stresemann
Welfare budget - resentment at paying for something that they didn’t benefit from.
Businesses/employers attitudes - they didn’t like the more socialist nature of some of Weimar’s policies.
Dangers of Dawes - some businesses and political parties saw Dawes as enslaving Germany to American creditors.
Resentment at the increased power of the unions.
Right wing views on the young plan 1929
Criticised by right wing nationalists.
Hugenberg (leader of the DNVP, the right wing nationalist party) organised anti-Young Plan campaign.
Although it failed it did attract a lot of support.
Exposed the anti-republican forces still at work in Germany.
What was the Dawes Plan?
It was a American’s investors plan to find a way for the German’s to continue to pay reparations. This will work for about 5 years till Hitler comes to rule.
What was the Young Plan of 1929?
It extended the period of reparation payments by 60 years and reduced the payments to promote economic growth in Germany. Additionally, France withdrew from the Rhineland 5 years earlier.
Traditional viewpoint on stresemann
He was a good german who sought to work with other european countries and improved germany’s economic standing and made the country stable
Revisionist viewpoint on stresemann
There was still struggles with the economy and many of the underlying issues like political polarisation where still there
Revisionist viewpoint on streseman
There was still struggles with the economy and many of the underlying issues like political polarisation where still there
How to did stresemann end hyperinflation
Called off passive resistance
Began paying reparations again
Introduced the rentenmark
Reduce government spending
Other areas of progression during the golden years
Women had far more economic and social freedom
Standard of living improved
Improved its standaning in the international community - Locarno Treaties (1925), League of Nations (1926) and Kellogg Briand (1928)
Cultural changes - Liberal in terms of entertainment
Reasons arguing that there was a golden age from 1925-29
Industrial production levels were higher than 1913 in 1928
1925-1929 exports rose by 40%
Hourly wages rose every year 1924-1929
Generous welfare schemes from 1927
IG Farben became the largest industrial company in Europe
Reasons arguing that there was a golden age from 1925-29
Industrial production levels were higher than 1913 in 1928
1925-1929 exports rose by 40%
Hourly wages rose every year 1924-1929
Generous welfare schemes from 1927
IG Farben became the largest industrial company in Europe
