THE WEIMAR REPUBLIC UNDER GUSTAV STRESEMANN

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GCSE
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The period 1924-28 is sometimes referred to as
the Stresemann Era or the Golden years of the
Weimar Republic. Stresemanns policies had
seemed to have worked!. By 1928 Germany seemed
PROSPEROUS and PEACEFUL. However, some people
think that Stresemanns policies only gave the
appearance of recovery and that many of the
earlier problems still existed. What is the
evidence for both sides?
GCSE
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GCSE

• Go to PAGE 13 14 of text book
• Read VERY CAREFULLY
• Write in as many reasons as you can into the
  table under the right sections

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GCSE

• The Economy was improving.
• Heavy industry had recovered to pre war levels
  and new roads and hospitals were being built with
  American money
• Exports and wages were up
• Social Welfare had improved
• Economy grew faster than GB or France.
• Companies like FORD and GILLETTE built factories
  in Germany

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GCSE

• There were no more putsches after 1924.
• 1928 election showed people supported moderates
  not extremist parties
• Communists and Nazis seemed to be losing support
• A stable Grand Coalition started under HERMANN
  MULLER
• Germany had signed the Locarno Treaty and had
  rejoined the League of Nations
• Germany seemed accepted again by the world

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GCSE

• Industry was growing unsteadily.
• Small businesses were under pressure from larger
  companies
• Agriculture was depressed
• Unemployment was increasing and welfare costs
  were up
• Germany was OVER RELIANT on American loans from
  the Dawes plan

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GCSE

• HINDENBURG was made President he was not
  enthusiastic about democracy.
• Even though there was less to argue over, no
  government lasted longer than 2 years
• Angry Germans still wanted an end to Versailles
• Many still remembered the humiliation of
  hyperinflation and blamed this on the democrats

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GCSE
STRESEMANN'S
Successes
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ECONOMIC POSITIVES
1.

• The Economy was improving
• Factories used American money and methods to
  succeed.
• Economy grew faster than GB or France.
• By 1929 Germany was producing 33 more than in
  1913.
• Companies like FORD and GILLETTE built factories
  in Germany

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CULTURAL POSITIVES
2.

• This became known as the Golden age.
• Night life and cabaret hugely popular.
• New artists like George GROSZ and playwrights
  like BRECHT were famous

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POLITICAL POSITIVES
3.

• Germany accepted as world power again
• Allowed more time to pay REPARATIONS
• Signs up to peace treaties
• French left the Ruhr

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GCSE
STRESEMANN'S
Weaknesses
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Economic weakness?
1.

• Unemployment and poverty still high
• Growing prosperity based on USA loans
• What would happen if USA wanted the money back ?

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Political weakness?
2.

• Stresemann wasnt popular with either the Nazis
  or with Communists
• Many people also were still angry over
  hyperinflation and lost savings
• BUT both the Nazis and the Communists made little
  progress in these years because people were much
  better off and their EXTREME ideas did not appeal
  to people

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TASK

• Weimar and Nazi Germany book
• Read pages 14-17
• Answer Questions 1-3 with Detailed answers