The extent of recovery in the late 1920s

L/O – To identify the achievements and underlying problems of the Weimar Republic and to make a judgement about the

extent of recovery

Starter – Name 4 things Stresemann did to help the German economy recover

The Role of Gustav Stresemann

Reason for Reform Achievements Result of Reform

New Currency, Nov 1923

Dawes Plan, 1924

French leave Ruhr, 1924

Locarno Treaty, 1925

League of Nations, 1926

Young Plan, 1929

←Copy and complete this table to show

what the reasons and

results were of Stresemann’s

reforms.

The Weimar Republic survived the crises of 1919-1923 by using the

right-wing army and Freikorps units to crush the Communists, and

getting the help of the left-wing unions to crush the Kapp Putsch.

The Weimar Republic then experienced a period of stability and growth. This was down to American Money and Gustav Stresemann, who was Chancellor in August 1923 and

Foreign Minister from 1924-1929. He was responsible for↓

The Role of Gustav Stresemann• The period of relative

prosperity and stability from 1923-1929 under Stresemann is often referred to as the ‘Golden Era’.

• But was Stresemann really responsible for this recovery?

1. Read the two sources. Was Stresemann responsible for the economic recovery?

‘Stresemann was no genius. He was not the difference between pre- and

post- 1924 Germany. What made the difference was the Dawes Plan, and the

economic prosperity that U.S. money created.’

Written by a modern historian.

‘Stresemann… worked hard to rebuild his shattered country and for peace

and co-operation abroad. Because of his leadership Germany is now

prospering and has an important place in the affairs of Europe.’

From The Times, 4 Oct 1929. An account of his life and achievements

which was written after his death.

The extent of recovery in the late 1920s - Politics• Politically, the Weimar Republic appeared stable.

In the Reichstag elections, extremist parties such as the Communists and the Nazis received less support than the more mainstream parties.

• Stresemann arranged a ‘Great Coalition’ of the moderate pro-democracy parties (SDP, the Centre Party and DVP).

• United together, they were able to resist the criticism from smaller extremist parties, and in this way, overcame the effects of proportional representation – the government had enough members of the Reichstag supporting it to pass the laws it needed.

The extent of recovery in the late 1920s - Economics• The economy appeared to be recovering.

Inflation came under control and German people found that they had more disposable income, meaning they could buy more products so the standard of living increased.

• American loans meant Germany could build infrastructure like roads, railways and factories. This provided jobs and boosted the economy.

• By 1928, industrial production was greater than pre-war levels. Germany was becoming a world leader as an exporter of manufactured goods.

The extent of recovery in the late 1920s - Culture• In the area of cultural activities Germany became

world famous. The strict censorship of pre-war Germany was removed. Berlin rivalled Paris as the cultural capital of Europe.

• Germans led the way in innovative painting, architecture and design. Some artists, like George Grosz, used art to criticise society. He was a communist but criticised the communist part as he hated any form of dictatorial authority.

• Architecture and design were heavily influenced by the Balhaus movement led by Walter Gropius. He used bold designs and unusual materials with distinctly odd results.

The extent of recovery in the late 1920s - Culture• Germany also became the centre for new

plays and operas. The most famous playwright was Bertolt Brecht.

• There were big advances in cinema technique with silent movies like Metropolis which was an early sci-fi film. Films stars like Marlene Dietrich became world famous.

• Even novelists began to be more critical of the establishment. All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Remarque described the horrors of the First World War and sold over 500,000 within 3 months in 1929.

Otto Dax, the artist, is a very good example of the changes taking place in the cultural life of Germany.

Have a look at the following slides – can his paintings highlight change?

German Politicians

Cafe dwellers

My family My friend

Reclining Woman on a Leopard Skin

Two street children Sunday family

Gas Attack

Despair in the trenches

Mealtime in the trenches

Conversation in the trenches

Uprisings in the streets of Berlin

Underlying Problems of the Weimar Republic - Politics• Politically, there were still opponents of the

Weimar Republic and its democratic system. Many wished for a return to rule by the Kaiser and many still hated the Republic as ‘November Criminals’.

• This was seen when President Ebert died suddenly in 1925. In his place Field Marshal Hindenburg, aged 78, was elected.

• He had been a critic of the new democracy, and in Berlin he was greeted by cheering crowds waving black, white and red flags, the colours of the old empire.

Underlying Problems of the Weimar Republic - Politics• Support for Communism increased

during this period, and the Nazis were making advances in some local elections.

• Stresemann’s ‘Great Coalition’ collapsed due to the moderate pro-democracy parties arguing.

• As the economic problems went away, they didn’t feel like they had to support the government out of duty in a crisis. Different groups wanted to take the credit for the rising prosperity.

Underlying Problems of the Weimar Republic - Economics• Economically, Germany relied heavily on

American loans, which could have been withdrawn at any time.

• Imports were rising faster than exports, which meant that Germany was trading at a loss.

• There was still substantial unemployment. As food prices fell rapidly worldwide in 1927, farmer’s income was greatly reduced and this increased their debts.

Underlying Problems of the Weimar Republic - Culture• Culturally, many people criticised the

new artistic developments as decadent and unpatriotic. There was also a perceived decline in moral standards, as shown in the number of cabaret shows and nightclubs in Berlin.

• The city became famous for its transvestite parties, where men and women shared each other’s clothes. Berlin was seen by many Germans in other areas of the country as corrupt and obsessed with sex.

Plenary

What does Source 1 suggest about the extent of recovery in Germany by 1929?

Did we meet our learning objective?L/O – To identify the achievements and underlying problems of

the Weimar Republic and to make a judgement about the extent of recovery

Source 1

‘The German economy is doing well only on the surface.  Germany is in fact dancing on a volcano.  If the short-term loans are called in by America, most of our economy will

collapse.’

A speech made by Gustav Stresemann shortly before his death on 3 October 1929