To what extent were 1924-1929 the Golden Years?

Question 1

What does Erzberger mean?

Answer 1

Finance minister.

Question 2

What does Neue Sachlichkeit (New Practicality or new functionalism) mean?

Answer 2

A desire to show reality and objectivity.

Question 3

(4 points)

In 1923, what political challenges did Stresemann need to overcome?

Answer 3

• Opposition to Weimar - Red Bavaria, Red October and The Spartacist Uprising.
• ‘November Criminals’.
• ‘Stab in the back’ theory.
• The Weimar Constitution ~ unstable.

Question 4

(3 points)

In 1923, what social challenges did Stresemann need to overcome?

Answer 4

• Blame/’War Guilt’.
• Unemployment.
• Homelessness.

Question 5

(2 points)

In 1923, what economic challenges did Stresemann need to overcome?

Answer 5

• Reparations bill (£6.6 billion).
• Hyperinflation 1923.

Question 6

(2 points)

In 1923, what foreign policy challenges did Stresemann need to overcome?

Answer 6

• Treaty of Versailles 1919.
• Germany banned from joining the League of Nations ~ isolated and vulnerable.

Question 7

(3 points)

How did foreign policy recover?

Answer 7

• German industry = able to lower costs because of growing number of cartels ~ better purchasing power than smaller industries.
• 1925-1929 German exports rose by 40% ~ hourly rates rose up every year from 1924-1930 ~ as much as 5% to 10% in 1927-1928.
• Rentenmark and measures brought about by the Dawes Plan ~ five years of economic growth and affluence.

Question 8

(5 points - mainly agriculture/production)

How did foreign policy not recover?

Answer 8

• Economic growth = uneven.
• 1929 = production declined.
• 1.9 million unemployed workers.
• Grain production = three-quarters of its 1913 figure ~ farmers = in debt ~ faced falling incomes.
• By late 1920s = income per head in agriculture = 44% below national average.

Question 9

W = ‘World Policy’

What does Weltpolitik mean?

Answer 9

‘World Policy’. The imperial policy of Kaiser Wilhelm II to make Germany a great power by overseas expansion.

Question 10

(‘A peace through victory’).

What does Seigfriede mean?

Answer 10

Refers to Germany fighting the First World War to victory and making major land gains.

Question 11

(‘A rational/pragmatic republican’).

What does Vernunftrepublikaner mean?

Answer 11

People who really wanted Germany to have a constitutional monarchy but who, out of necessity, came to support the Weimar Republic.

Question 12

(3 points)

What did Stresemann do for the US to agree to the Dawes Plan and what did this lead to?

Answer 12

• Called off ‘passive resistance’ ~ agreed to resume payment of reparations ~ the US-backed Dawes Plan.
• Germany’s economic problems received international recognition.
• French = promised to evacuate the Ruhr during 1925.

Question 13

Table for more info:

Answer 13

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1e_yiRnUyejsmzb_YiV6DMWUYeenYMGfRBgCf46onthg/edit