Hitler

The Golden Age of Weimar
1924-29

After the turmoil of 1918-23, liberal constitutional democracy survived in Germany, that is until the disastrous Wall Street Crash of 1929. These years became known as the “Golden Years” of the Weimar Republic.

1924 – 1929 The Golden Age of Weimar?
PREP ESSAY QUESTION: What evidence is there that life improved for the majority of Germans between 1924-29?Politically Economically Culturally

The period between 1924 and 1929 is known as a ‘Golden Age’ or ‘The Years of Hope’ Economic and political stablility returned This was largely due to the policies of Gustav Stresemann He improved Germany’s situation both economically and politically

Gustav Stresemann
1878 – 1929 German liberal politician, leader of the German People’s Party (DVP)Served as Chancellor (Aug 1923-Nov 1923) Foreign Minister (1923-29) Credited with stabilising the Germany economy following “The Year of Crises in 1923, which included the invasion of the Ruhr by the French, hyperinflation, communist uprisings in Thuringia and Saxony, and the Beer Hall Putsch (started by Hitler in Munich)

Stresemann
Called off the passive resistance at the Ruhr Ended thehyperinflation crisis by introducing a new currency backed by US loans Reassured Germans that the democratic system was willing and able to solve urgent problems Restarted reparation payments, importantly, this led to assistance from the US and a greater willingness of other Western nations to negotiate with Germany Ended German diplomatic isolation

Dawes Plan (Economy)
Stresemann negotiated the DawesPlan in 1924 Helped secure US loans ($800 million) Reparations were renegotiated Aided German economic restructuring Aided normalisation of diplomatic relations, esp. with France

Dawes Plan
Charles Dawes, US Banker and Vice President

August 1924, the main points of The Dawes Plan were: 1. The Ruhr area was to be evacuated by Allied occupation troops (1925) 2. Reparation payments would beginat “one million marks the first year, increasing to two and a half million marks annually after five years" 3. The German Reichsbank would be reorganized under Allied supervision.

Dawes Plan - effects
The Dawes Plan provided short-term economic benefits to the German economy. It softened the burdens of war reparations Stabilized the currency Increased foreign investments and loans to the Germanmarket. However, it made the German economy dependent on foreign markets and economies, and therefore problems with the U.S. economy (e.g. the Great Depression) would later severely hurt Germany as it did the rest of the western world, which was subject to debt repayments for loans of US dollars.

Rentenmark
Stresemann introduced a new German Currency, the Rentenmark replaced the worthlessmark (backed by US Gold) This encouraged foreign investment in Germany’s economy This led to an increase in new factories, industry, infrastructure AND employment

Foreign Policy
Stresemann helped to end Germany’s isolation: Adhered to the Treaty of Versailles (policy of Fulfiment) Signing the Treaty of Locarno 1925 Germany was invited to join The League of Nations in 1926

Treaty of Locarno1925
Non-aggression pact between Germany, Belgium, Britain, France, Italy Pledge to recognise German, French and Belgium (western) borders Normalised relations

This policy of co-operation led to: 1926 the first of the three Rhineland zones which had been placed under Allied military occupation by the Treaty of Versailles were evacuated 1927 the Inter-Allied Control Commission to supervise Germandisarmament was withdrawn. 1928- Kellogg-Brian Pact 1929 - Young Plan reduced German reparations to a figure of £2 billion and Repayments were to be made over a period of 59 years.

Gustav Stresemann died of a stroke in October 1929 at the early age of fifty-one, and is remembered for restoring German economic and political stability and as an advocate of peaceful solutions to complex...