Starter
 What was the Golden Twenties?
 Why were they called this?
Did the government manage to address the problems it faced?
Aim: To explain (B) or evaluate (A) the extent to which Stresemann was able to deal
with Germany’s problems
The League of Nations
Locarno Pact
Kellogg Briand Pact
Young Plan
How successful was the recovery of the
Weimar Republic under Stresemann 1924–29
Dawes Plan
Dealing with hyperinflation
Underlying problems
Stresemann’s role
4
The Golden twenties
Gustav Stresemann was the leader of the German People’s Party (DVP).
During a short spell as chancellor in 1923, Stresemann:
 replaced the worthless Mark with the Rentenmark.
 ordered the striking workers in the Ruhr back to work.
 agreed that Germany should start repaying reparations again.
 These moves made Stresemann unpopular, and he was forced to give up
the post of chancellor in November 1923. But he created a basis for
economic and political stability, and the Weimar republic had a chance to
re-establish itself.
Aim: To explain (B) or evaluate (A) the extent to which Stresemann was able to deal with
Germany’s problems
Economic recovery
 The introduction of the Rentenmark ended hyperinflation and stabilised the German currency.
 The government took other measures to prevent another financial collapse:
 In 1924: the Dawes Plan was agreed.
Under this plan, the USA lent Germany 800 million gold marks.
- Germany used this to build new factories in order to kick-start the economy.
- It also spread the load of the reparations: Germany was given longer to pay the Allies.
- The Dawes Plan restored confidence in the German economy: investment poured in from abroad.
German industry produced more goods, exports rose, unemployment fell and most Germans were
better off.
 In 1929: the Young Plan was agreed.
It reduced the total amount of reparations and extended the deadline for payments by a further 59 years.
Aim: To explain (B) or evaluate (A) the extent to which Stresemann was able to deal with
Germany’s problems
International relations
 From 1923 – 1929, Stresemann was Germany’s foreign secretary. During this period Germany once again
gained acceptance among European powers.
 When Stresemann started paying reparations the French and Belgians withdrew their forces out of the
Ruhr. By 1925 all troops had left.
Other successes:
 In 1925, the Locarno Pact: Series of treaties where countries promised not to invade one another.
 In 1926 Germany was allowed to join the League of Nations.
Germany was at its most stable since 1919: support for extremist parties had declined, and support for the
Social Democrats grew.
However...
 the German economy was still very dependent on US loans.
 after 1927 industrial growth started to slow down and there was a depression in the farming sector.
Aim: To explain (B) or evaluate (A) the extent to which Stresemann was able to deal with
Germany’s problems
Evaluation technique
 Ranks the problems that Stresemann faced in order of importance.
 How important were his solutions to these problems?
 Were his solutions to these policies the right ones?
Aim: To explain (B) or evaluate (A) the extent to which Stresemann was able to deal with
Germany’s problems
Examination technique
 Why was Stresemann important? (4)
 How important was the Dawes Plan, amongst other factors in making the
Weimar government a success? (12)
Aim: To explain (B) or evaluate (A) the extent to which Stresemann was able to deal with
Germany’s problems
Sourcework
Source B
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.
from a speech made by Gustav Stresemann shortly
before his death on 3 October 1929
Using Source G and your own knowledge, explain why Adolf Hitler was
personally important to the growth of the Nazi Party before 1933 (8)
Aim: To explain (B) or evaluate (A) the extent to which Stresemann was able to deal with
Germany’s problems