The recovery of the Weimar Republic

By the end of this lesson you will:Understand how the Weimar Republic appeared to recover from the disasters of 1923.

Was 1923 a year of disaster for the Weimar

Republic?EXPLAIN

Re-cap

• What is hyper – inflation?• Why did Germany suffer from hyper-

inflation in the early 1920’s?• What happened when Germany

stopped paying reparations?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18WlSbVja-g&feature=related

Learning objectivesBy the end of this lesson:I will be able to describe the

problems Germany faced in 1923I should be able to explain the

solutions to these problemsI could also be able to evaluate how

effective each of the solutions were

Gustav Stresemann became Chancellor of Germany in 1923 at the height of the hyperinflation crisis

Does Gustav Stresemann

put Germany back on it’s

feet?

Tasks

Think back over all the problems Germany has faced since 1918 NOT just 19231.Decide what Stresemann’s problems are.2.Find solutions for the problems.3.Assess the potential success of these solutions.

Germans fall behind with reparations

French occupy the Ruhr

German workers in Ruhr strike.

Government continues to pay workers.

August 1923Stresemann becomes

Chancellor

Inflation rises

Hyperinflation

Sept 1923Strike is called off.

Germans agreeto pay

French leave Ruhr

Inflation at its peak

Munich PutschNov 1923

Problem 1: Hyperinflation

Solution: Scrap old currency

and introduce the Rentenmark

Problem 2: French troops in the RuhrSolution: Persuade French to Leave andagree to start paying reparations again(Dawes Plan)

Problem 3: No one trusted

the Germans

Solution: Improve Germany’s

relationship with other countries

Problem 4: Economy and industry were in TroubleSolution: Arrange loans (Dawes Plan) to rebuild German industry.

The Dawes Plan1924

LOANS

Germany

Britain and France

USA

War loansrepaid

Reparations

StresemannHe was Chancellor for only 100 days in 1923

and then became Foreign Minister.He restored German pride by:1. Putting Germans back to work and

stabilising the economy.2. Arranging loans (Dawes Plan) to rebuild

industry and the economy3. Doing a deal to extend reparation

payments. (Young Plan)4. Making Germany trusted in Europe again.

The Dawes Plan 1924 The Dawes Plan reduced Germany’s reparation

payments and provided huge loans from the USA. After the Great War Germany’s factories were run

down, there were few jobs and poor schools, housing and hospitals.

The Dawes Plan meant Germany could begin to rebuild it’s economy and invest in new businesses, hospitals, schools etc. This also created more jobs.

In all Germany borrowed 3,000 million dollars from US banks.

The new currency

Stresemann introduced a new currency called the Rentenmark which ended hyperinflation.

Locarno Treaty- 1925• Stresemann formally argued that

Alsace-Lorraine should return to France.

• He was saying this land was French and belonged to them and so lets be friends again.

• Many Germans didn’t like this.

• 1926- Germany allowed to join the League of Nations.

Evidence of recovery Support for extremist parties like the Nazis

decreased. They won only 12 seats in the 1928 elections.

There was increased support for parties such as the Social Democrats who supported the Republic.

Germany was accepted again as an important power in Europe.

New factories were built. Unemployment went down. New roads, railways and homes were built. Foreign banks lent to German borrowers.

To what extent did the Weimar Republic recover?

‘The economic position is only flourishing on the surface. Germany is dancing on a volcano. If America calls in their loans, a large section of our economy would collapse’Gustav Stresemann in 1928

Was Germany now stable?

Stresemann referred to Germany as‘Dancing on a volcano’ after he had secured the Dawes Plan.What do you think he meant by this?

Learning objectivesBy the end of this lesson:I will be able to describe the

problems Germany faced in 1923I should be able to explain the

solutions to these problemsI could also be able to evaluate how

effective each of the solutions were

The Stresemann YearsPlus points

• Economy strongest in Europe (unemployment low)

• Democracy is being shown to work (Nazis only have 12 seats in Reichstag)

• Germany is respected again eg. League of Nations

Minus points• Economy based on loans – if US economy goes

wrong so does Germany’s• Anti-democratic groups (Nazis and Communists)

still there• Who else is there apart from Stresemann?

After 1924 there were no more revolts (putsch) in Germany for five years.In the 1928 elections the Nazis got 2% of the vote

Why do you think this was?

Summary In 1923 the WR suffered its worst year. The

French occupied the Ruhr in order to force reparation payments from the Germany. This triggered hyperinflation.

Hitler set up the Nazi Party in 1920 in order to overthrow the WR. By 1923 it had it’s own private army known as the SA and was ready to seize power.

The Munich Putsch of 1923 was a failure. Hitler was arrested and put in prison. However, his trial had gained publicity.

The WR seemed to recover in the years 1924 to 1929 mainly as a result of the work of Stresemann.

TASKSUsing pages 25 -29:1.Answer questions 4 and 5 on page 272.Answer question 8 on page 293. Complete resource sheet 1.2d

Home workThe boxes below show actions taken by Stresemann.Choose ONE and EXPLAIN how it helped Germany to recover in the 1920’s (9 marks)

The introduction of a new currency (Rentenmark) in

1923

The Dawes Plan (1924) and the Young Plan (1929)

HOMEWORK

‘As a result of the work of Stresemann between 1924 and 1929 the Weimar Republic fully recovered from the problems it had faced in it’s first four years.’Do you agree? Explain your answer.12 marks

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WilPoLV1r5Y&feature=related

Learning objectivesBy the end of this lesson:I will be able to describe the

problems Germany faced in 1923I should be able to explain the

solutions to these problemsI could also be able to evaluate how

effective each of the solutions were