The Extent of change in Foreign & Economic Policy 1924-29

Question 1

Question 1
Which political party did Stresemann establish?

Answer 1

The German People’s Party - DVP - a moderate Conservative party.

Question 2

Question 2
How long did Stresemann serve as Chancellor?

Answer 2

100 days - August–November 1923.

Question 3

Question 3
What position did Stresemann hold after losing Reichstag support as Chancellor?

Answer 3

Foreign Minister from 1923 until his death in October 1929.

Question 4

Question 4
Why did Stresemann lose support in the Reichstag as Chancellor?

Answer 4

Despite his firm & realistic policies, he struggled to maintain political backing.

Question 5

Question 5
When did Stresemann become pro-Republic?

Answer 5

After the Kapp Putsch & early Weimar-era political assassinations.

Question 6

Question 6
What was Stresemann’s initial stance during the Weimar period?

Answer 6

Pro-constitutional monarchy before shifting toward Republican support.

Question 7

Question 7
What made Stresemann a strong leader?

Answer 7

• Excellent public speaker.
• Dynamic, vigorous personality attracted to both nationalism & liberalism.
• Studied economics, providing insight into Germany’s financial issues.

Question 8

Question 8
How did Stresemann’s background influence his leadership?

Answer 8

• Youngest Reichstag member in 1907 - experienced Germany under the Kaiser, WWI, & Weimar’s formation.
• Came from a modest background, understanding ordinary Germans’ struggles more than the political elite.

Question 9

Question 9
Why was Stresemann considered a skilled diplomat?

Answer 9

He recognized diplomacy as essential for Germany’s survival.

Question 10

Question 10
What shows Stresemann’s diplomatic respect & effectiveness?

Answer 10

Every Chancellor retained him as Foreign Minister for six years, indicating confidence in his abilities.

Question 11

Question 11
What was Stresemann’s main foreign policy goal?

Answer 11

Restore German power & prosperity while avoiding military confrontation with the Allies.

Question 12

Question 12
What was Erfüllungspolitik?

Answer 12

A strategy of fulfilling Treaty of Versailles terms to improve relations with Britain & France, encouraging future revisions.

Question 13

Question 13
What were Stresemann’s key foreign policy aims?

Answer 13

• Solve the reparations problem.
• End the 1923 occupations of the Ruhr & Rhineland.
• Terminate military control over Germany.
• Secure revisions to Germany’s eastern borders.

Question 14

Question 14
What tactics did Stresemann use to achieve his aims?

Answer 14

• Prioritized negotiation due to Germany’s lack of military power.
• Focused on gaining Western confidence & ending diplomatic isolation.
• Used economic strength rather than military force to push Treaty revisions.
• Strengthened ties with the USA for economic aid.
• Satisfy French security concerns to ease tensions.
• Built relations with USSR to pressure West & improve German diplomatic positioning.

Question 15

Question 15
What was the purpose of the Dawes Plan?

Answer 15

Solve Weimar Germany’s hyperinflation by stabilizing the economy while maintaining reparations payments.

Question 16

Question 16
What key provisions did it introduce?

Answer 16

• Germany received a loan of $800 million spread over 5 years.
• Reparations were reduced & extended over a longer period.
• The existing currency was scrapped & the US gained influence over German banks.
• The Ruhr was returned & French/Belgian troops withdrew.

Question 17

Question 17
What was the wider impact of the Dawes Plan?

Answer 17

• Germany could repay Britain & France, who in turn repaid the US.
• Required Germany to strengthen foreign trade relations for economic growth.
• Highly dependent on US economic support through loans.

Question 18

Question 18
What was the purpose of the Locarno Pact?

Answer 18

Improve European relations & prevent future conflicts.

Question 19

Question 19
What were the two main features of the Locarno Pact?

Answer 19

• Germany accepted its Western borders, reassuring France.
• Germany refused to accept its Eastern borders but proposed arbitration - neutral mediation.

Question 20

Question 20
Why was the Locarno Pact significant?

Answer 20

• Helped build trust with France.
• Allies saw Germany’s stance as useful in creating a buffer zone against Communism.
• France’s promise to de-occupy the Rhineland by 1930 never materialized.

Question 21

Question 21
What was the Treaty of Berlin?

Answer 21

A neutral agreement between Germany & the USSR, promising non-aggression for five years.

Question 22

Question 22
Why was the Treaty of Berlin important?

Answer 22

• Reaffirmed diplomatic relations between Germany & the USSR.
• Positioned Germany as a peace-focused nation.
• Provided diplomatic leverage in case Western relations soured.

Question 23

Question 23
Why was Germany originally excluded from the League of Nations?

Answer 23

Under Treaty of Versailles terms & seen as a potential threat to stability.

Question 24

Question 24
What changed in 1926 around Germany’s League of Nations membership?

Answer 24

• Germany was admitted but could not contribute soldiers due to Treaty restrictions.
• Germany gained a seat on the League’s decision-making council.

Question 25

Question 25 What was the Kellogg-Briand Pact?

Answer 25

An international agreement aiming to eliminate war.

Question 26

Question 26 Why was the Kellogg-Briand Pact significant?

Answer 26

* Signed by 65 nations, including Germany. * Symbolically reinforced Germany’s commitment to peace. * Had no enforcement mechanism to prevent militarization in the 1930s.

Question 27

Question 27 Why was the Young Plan introduced?

Answer 27

The Dawes Plan stabilized Germany, but reparations remained unsustainable.

Question 28

Question 28 What changes did the Young Plan introduce?

Answer 28

* Further reduced reparations & extended payment deadlines. * Acknowledged that reparations hindered Germany’s economic recovery.

Question 29

Question 29 What happened shortly after the Young Plan?

Answer 29

* Stock market crash - October 1929 - led to the Great Depression, ending foreign financial aid. * Hitler’s appointment as Chancellor - 1933 - ended reparations payments & changed European geopolitics.

Question 30

Question 30 When was the Dawes Plan?

Answer 30

April 1924.

Question 31

Question 31 When was the Locarno Pact?

Answer 31

October 1925.

Question 32

Question 32 When was the Treaty of Berlin?

Answer 32

April 1926.

Question 33

Question 33 When did Germany join the League of Nations?

Answer 33

September 1926.

Question 34

Question 34 When was the Kellogg-Briand Pact?

Answer 34

August 1928.

Question 35

Question 35 When was the Young Plan?

Answer 35

August 1929.

Question 36

Question 36 Why is 1924-1929 considered a period of economic recovery for Weimar Germany?

Answer 36

* Stresemann’s foreign policy improved both domestic & international confidence. * Allies supported Germany’s economic stability to ensure reparations payments. * Economic advancements were made, but underlying vulnerabilities remained.

Question 37

Question 37 What happened to *'Industry'* during the 1920s in Weimar?

Answer 37

* Economic growth occurred but remained unstable. * Germany lagged behind other global economies.

Question 38

Question 38 What happened to *'Foreign Capital'* during the 1920s in Weimar?

Answer 38

* Germany relied heavily on short-term US investment.

Question 39

Question 39 What happened to *'Trade'* during the 1920s in Weimar?

Answer 39

* A growing trade deficit weakened economic sustainability.

Question 40

Question 40 What happened to *'Prices'* during the 1920s in Weimar?

Answer 40

* More stable prices compared to hyperinflation. * Agricultural prices fell from 1927, hurting farmers.

Question 41

Question 41 What happened to *'Agriculture'* during the 1920s in Weimar?

Answer 41

* Entered a depression as prices continued to fall post-1927.

Question 42

Question 42 What happened to *'Unemployement'* during the 1920s in Weimar?

Answer 42

* Remained above 1 million throughout the period. * Began rising in 1928, even before the Wall Street Crash.

Question 43

Question 43 What happened to *'Social Welfare'* during the 1920s in Weimar?

Answer 43

* Welfare schemes were expanded. * Government costs increased significantly.

Question 44

Question 44 What happened to *'Government Finances'* during the 1920s in Weimar?

Answer 44

* Higher taxes introduced. * Despite taxes, the government still faced a budget deficit.

Question 45

Question 45 How did economic challenges affect different groups in Weimar Germany?

Answer 45

* Peasant farmers became hostile & gravitated toward the Nazis. * Junkers sought a more authoritarian system. * Workers made only modest economic gains. * Weimar’s economy remained dependent on US financial aid

Question 46

Question 46 What are some of the Strengths of Weimar's Welfare State?

Answer 46

* State investment improved public facilities like schools. * 17 million citizens gained unemployment protection through social insurance. * Some citizens saw welfare measures as signs of progress. * An 8-hour working day was introduced in November 1918.

Question 47

Question 47 What are some of the Weaknesses of Weimar's Welfare State?

Answer 47

* 40% of government expenditure went to war-related pensions. * Even before the 1929 Crash, welfare demands exceeded sustainable levels. * Economic strain made the Great Depression’s effects worse. * Elites & industrialists grew resentful of the system. * Described as "over-strained" due to excessive financial burdens. * Alienated business leaders who opposed increased welfare spending.