Week 18 HIS Booklet Germany 1924-1929 PDF

The Recovery of Germany, 1924-1929 Lesson Resources for Week 18 1  How to use this booklet The information and tasks should follow your lessons. The idea here is that you ‘use the notes; don’t make the notes.’ This means that we would rather you engage in...

The Recovery of Germany, 1924-1929 Lesson Resources for Week 18 1  How to use this booklet The information and tasks should follow your lessons. The idea here is that you ‘use the notes; don’t make the notes.’ This means that we would rather you engage in the lessons, ask and answer questions, highlight key bits of information, complete tasks rather than copying down the information from the ppts. In the Discovery sessions we ask you to watch a video and read some new information and complete some tasks based on this. This should prepare you for the Explore lessons and make them less overwhelming. The booklet also contains additional questions related to the Discovery content that you can use for Cycle Test, Summative and final exam revision This way of learning should help to make sure that you have a firm understanding of the content before we move onto the Explore lessons. It is crucial that the Discovery tasks are completed. The textbook that we have asked you to buy will still be a valuable aide. It will offer further detail to extend your understanding of the subject. Please make sure that you have this booklet with you for each lesson and then you can follow the lessons seamlessly. You can print it out and write on it or save it to your computer, whichever works best for you. 2  Week 18 Discovery: How did Stresemann attempt to solve Germany’s economic and political problems? Key Words Diplomacy - The use of negotiations and agreements to reach decisions and resolve differences between countries League of Nations - International organisation set up as part of the Treaty of Versailles. It was hoped that this would help to prevent future wars. The idea of Woodrow Wilson (American President) unpopular in USA so America didn’t join. Defeated countries of WW1 not allowed to join. Germany 1924-1929 From Crisis to Stability and Prosperity The years 1919-1923 were years of turmoil for Germany. The young Republic had to contend with the impact of defeat in WW1, the Treaty of Versailles as well as numerous revolts and political assassinations. Throughout 1923 Germany was in crisis due to the French occupation of the Ruhr and the effects of hyperinflation. However, within the next few years the Weimar Republic overcame its economic problems, social unrest and political revolts and entered an age of stability and prosperity 1924-1929 are therefore often known as the ‘Golden Years of the Weimar Republic’ or the ‘Stresemann Era’ after the politician who is responsible for many of these improvements. 3  Who was Gustav Stresemann? Leader of the DVP (The German People’s Party - moderate right), Stresemann was appointed Chancellor by President Ebert in August 1923. At first, he had opposed the Weimar Republic, but changed when he realised the alternative was anarchy (chaos - no law and order). Only Chancellor for four months but continued to be the most influential politician in Germany until his death in 1929. He was foreign minister throughout this time. Stresemann faced many challenges in 1923. Relations between Germany and the rest of the world were strained, French and Belgian troops were occupying the Ruhr, and the German economy was crippled by hyperinflation. By 1929 Stresemann had improved political stability, contributed to economic recovery and improved relations with other countries. Economic Recovery: Hyperinflation As a result of hyperinflation, the German mark was worthless. Stresemann needed to stabilise the economy. Stresemann tackled this by abolishing (getting rid of) the old currency and replacing it with a new temporary one, the Rentenmark. The amount of printed money was tightly controlled. The new notes were trusted because, if the currency failed, the government had promised to exchange them for shares in German land or industry. Confidence in the German economy returned. Stresemann also called off the passive resistance in the Ruhr. By 1924 Stresemann was able to replace the Rentenmark with a new permanent currency. This was called the Reichsmark, and it was controlled by an independent national bank, the Reichsbank. 4  Effects of the new currency Positive Negative Helped the stabilise the economy Did not heal all divisions. Some people People trusted it. were still unhappy It stopped hyperinflation and The people who were affected by prices began to go down. hyperinflation were never compensated. People from abroad could trust The middle classes were angry as they it therefore they would invest lost the most. in Germany. It improved German business and the employment rate went up. Reparations Next Stresemann tackled reparations. These were so high that Germany had been unable to pay. Stresemann believed that Germany would never be able to recover unless this issue was solved. Stresemann argued that Germany should accept the Treaty of Versailles to improve foreign relations with Britain and France. This was VERY unpopular with many Germans as they hated the Treaty. However, Stresemann also believed that better relations would mean that it would be possible to negotiate better terms on the reparations. He also knew that Britain and France had a lot to gain from allowing the German economy to recover. The USA had lent millions of dollars to France and Britain during WW1. If the German economy improved, then Germany would be able to make its reparations payments. This would provide Britain and France with the money they needed to repay the USA. 5  The Dawes Plan In 1924 Germany, the USA, Britain and France agreed to the Dawes Plan. Germany loaned 800 million marks from America. This gave a massive boost to German industry. Annual reparation payments were lowered, and the Allies agreed to review the payments rate overtime, to take account of Germany’s ability to pay The French agreed to withdraw troops from the Ruhr and agreed that any missing payments in the future would be dealt with by the Allies together. Also led to further loans from the USA over the next 6 years, Germany received more than 25 billion marks in loans. 6  Effects of the Dawes Plan Positive Negative Sparked the recovery of the German economy Increased resentment from extreme right. The French agreed to leave the Ruhr. The industrial output doubled between Extreme political parties were furious 1923-28. that Germany had again agreed to pay reparations. They felt that Germany Wages rose, cost of living went down and was accepting blame for the war by standard of living improved. agreeing to continue with reparations. Government was able to build new roads, schools and public buildings. Left the German Economy Vulnerable Helped to repair relations with other The economy depended fully on countries American loans. If something went Accepting the terms of the Treaty meant wrong with the American economy, then other countries began to trust them. Germany would be in serious trouble. That couldn’t happen, could it…? 7  The Young Plan, 1929 Despite the Dawes Plan and the American loans, the German government still did not find it easy to make reparation payments. The Young Plan was agreed in 1929. Reparations reduced from £6.6 billion to £2 billion. Germany was given an extra 59 years to pay in small instalments. Effects of the Young Plan Negative Positive Increased resentment from right wing Contributed to economic recovery groups ◦ Extreme parties were angry about Lower reparations payments would the payments being stretched out mean that the government could over more time. lower taxes. ◦ Adolf Hitler (Leader of the Nazi Lower taxes would mean that Party) said they were ‘Passing on the government could spend more on the penalty to the unborn.’ industry and economic growth. 8 Revision questions: Question Answer 1 What do historians sometimes call the years 1924-1929 in Germany? 2 When did Stresemann become Chancellor? 3 What two things did Stresemann abolish when he came to power? 4 What was the temporary currency called that Stresemann introduced? 5 What was the Reichsbank? 6 Under the Dawes Plan which country agreed to load Germany 800 million marks? 7 What did the French now agree to do? 8 The Young Plan reduced the reparations from £6.6 billion to what? 9 Give one criticism of Stresemann’s economic policy 9  Stresemann Abroad: improving relations Stresemann was determined to strengthen Germany’s power and wealth. However, he realised that Germany could not fight the Allies on military terms. He therefore used diplomacy to improve Germanys’ position. For example, he improved Germanys’ relationship with other countries, including Britain and France by ending passive resistance in the Ruhr in 1923 What else did he do to improve Germany’s relationship with other countries? The Locarno Pact, 1925 In 1925 Stresemann signed the Locarno Pact with Britain France, Italy and Belgium. ◦ It was written ON EQUAL TERMS (Unlike the T.O.V) Germany accepted new 1919 western borders with France (not eastern ones though) Germany agreed that Alsace Lorraine would be French. In return the French agree not to occupy the Ruhr again All countries agreed to avoid the use of military force except in self-defence. ◦ The Rhineland would be free from all allied troops by 1930. ◦ The 5 powers opened talks about German membership of the League of Nations. 10  Effects of The Locarno Pact, 1925 Positive Negative Improved Germany’s relations Increased resentment from right with other countries wing groups The Pact reassured France about Some parties disagreed and hated that its borders and Germany about the Versailles agreements were put in any French invasion/occupation, as place. had happened in 1923. Extreme parties hated that the Made war less likely again. Weimar was working with the enemy. Stresemann given Nobel Peace Prize in 1926. Germany was being treated more equally. 11  The League of Nations, 1926 Germany join League of Nations (1926) – Germany joined the international body in which powerful countries talked about solving the world’s problems without going to war. Significantly, Germany was given a place on the League of Nation’s Council - members of this council were the ones who made the most important decisions. Germany was once again regarded as a ‘Great Power’ Effects of Germany’s acceptance into the League Positive Negative Increased the confidence that people Increased resentment from right wing had in the Weimar Government groups Boosted confidence of Germans in the Weimar. Not all political parties liked it, some Germany was once more accepted say it was a symbol of the hated T.O.V. into the ‘international family’ Germany got the equal power to ‘veto (disagree)’ with other countries about certain topics. 12  The Kellogg- Briand Pact 1928 Germany and 61 countries signed it It promised not to use war to solve problems Positive Negative Increased the confidence that people Increased resentment from right wing had in the Weimar Government groups Did nothing to end/alter the It showed Germany was a part of hated Treaty of Versailles a new wave of solutions. The Weimar continued to grow in support. 13  Revision questions Question Answer 10 What Treaty did Germany sign with Britain, France, Italy and Belgium in 1925? 11 This Treaty led to Germany being accepted as a member of which organisation in 1926? 12 What did this show? 13 Give one criticism of Stresemann’s foreign policy made by right wing extremists 14  Week 18 Explore Lesson 1: Was Germany more Politically Stable by 1929? Starter Task Find the mistake Fill in the blanks Answer the True or false (S) question The Treaty of The German Reichstag Who were the The Kapp Putsch was Versailles limited used P________ Freikorps? a Communist uprising the German army to R__________ against the new 10,000 men and the Weimar Government air force to six planes only To elect members. This led to a series of weak c________ governments. 15  How did Stresemann try to bring political stability to Germany? Stresemann believed that politicians should collaborate (work together) to help Germany to recover. He wanted to reduce the threat of political extremism. Throughout this period Stresemann used his political skills to help the Chancellors of the time to keep the coalitions together. Was he successful? Look at the evidence below. What does it suggest? Did Stresemann bring political stability to Germany? Source B From a history textbook for schools, published in 2015 As the economy improved, so social conditions stabilised, and political violence died down. Between 1924 and 1929, no major political figures were assassinated. Coalition governments were still the norm, although they changed less often: between 1924 and 1929, there were just six different coalitions. 16  Political Stability? Yes No 1924-29 saw more stable Still extremists in Germany who did governments. not want the Weimar Republic to No riots, revolutions or political crises succeed. between 1925-1929 Around 30 % of the vote regularly The Nazi Party saw a decline in went to parties opposed to the popularity. May 1924 it won 32 seats, Republic December 1924 it won 14 seats and in Even during these stable years, there 1928 it won 12 seats. were six different coalitions. The The moderate Social Democrats longest government lasted for only increased their support after 1924 two years. In 1925 the German people elected Hindenburg wrote to the Kaiser in Hindenburg as President a general exile to ask approval before accepting from WW1. Showed that the old the post. Is this accepting the new conservative order now accepted the way? Republic 17  Question A - The impression question! What impression does the author of Extract A give about the extent of Germany’s recovery by 1929? Extract A From Weimar and Nazi Germany, F. Reynolds, published in 1996 From 1924 to 1929 the Weimar Republic was much stronger than it had been just after the war. Led by Stresemann in the Reichstag, the different parties managed to work together. The extreme parties such as the Nazis gained fewer seats in the elections. The German people were better off and more contented. The Weimar Republic looked safe. Think about What impression does the author give? What is he saying about German recovery? Use your own words How do you know this? What words or phrases has the writer used to give this impression? How do you know this? What information/content has the writer chosen to include which helps to give this impression? What has the writer left out? Suggested writing frame This is a 6-mark question. You will be looking at 9 minutes to answer this question before moving on, so you need to get stuck in straight away. The exam board want to see that you recognise that this is an historian’s view and that they have chosen certain words and phrases, certain information to help to convey this viewpoint to you the reader. A good way of doing this is to use the steps and sentence starters below 18  Sentence Starters Begin by summarising the impression given. Use your own words here not any from the extract ‘The impression given is that…… Now prove your idea, pick out words and phrases that support this ‘The author does this by using language such as ‘…….’ ‘The tone of the writing is…. For example, the author uses the word ‘…’ Also look at content. What has the author included/not included ‘Another way that the author gives this impression is due to his/her choice of content. The author has chosen to include…../ the author has made no mention of… 19 Example Question/Answer a) Study Extract A What impression does the author of Extract A give about the extent of Germany’s recovery by 1929? You must use Extract A to explain your answer. (6 marks) Extract A From Weimar and Nazi Germany, F. Reynolds, published in 1996 From 1924 to 1929 the Weimar Republic was much stronger than it had been just after the war. Led by Stresemann in the Reichstag, the different parties managed to work together. The extreme parties such as the Nazis gained fewer seats in the elections. The German people were better off and more contented. The Weimar Republic looked safe. The impression given here is that Germany had recovered very well by 1929 and that it was much more politically stable. The writer’s tone is very positive about the progress made. The writer creates this impression by using language such as ‘much stronger than it had been just after the war’ suggesting that there had been a great amount of progress. The phrase ‘different parties managed to work together’ implies co-operation and collaboration. Another way that the author gives this impression is through choice of content. The author does not include any reference to the fact that coalition governments still broke down during this period with Germany having six coalition governments between 1924-29. Neither does the writer include any information on the weaknesses of the economy such as the dependence on American loans. 20 Plenary: Match Stresemann’s solution with the outcome Stopped the printing of paper Slowly Germany became more prosperous. Some money and replaced all old called it a ‘Golden Age.’ A night out in Berlin in money with a new currency the late 1920’s (cinemas, music halls, night clubs, called the Rentenmark. One and beer halls) was meant to be one of the Rentenmark replaced 1000 greatest experiences in the world. However, billion marks even Stresemann felt Germany relied on American money too much. What if they wanted their money back? 1924 he attended a meeting Germans quickly accepted their new currency with the French, British and and hyperinflation ended. However, people who American leaders. The result had lost all their savings never got their money was the Dawes Plan, which back... And forever blamed Stresemann and his allowed the Germans to only government. pay the reparations that they could afford. Organised big loans from Germany became a major European power again America. The Germans built under Stresemann. The League of Nations even new factories, housing, gave Germany ‘great power status’. Which meant hospitals and schools. This they took part in major decisions. However, meant more jobs and more some Germans criticised Stresemann for not Germans earning money. demanding some of the land back from countries that had taken it at the end of WWI Improve Germany’s The French troops left the Ruhr. However, some relationship with other Germans thought Stresemann had given in to the countries. 1925 Locarno French by not demanding a complete end to all Treaty, 1926 joined the reparations – many thought Germany shouldn’t be League of Nations. paying anything at all. 21  Week 18 Explore Lesson 2: How far had Germany recovered by 1929? How far had Germany recovered by 1929? Some historians have called Stresemann a ‘Superman’ who was able to help Germany recover and rebuild between the years 1924-29 Other historians have argued the recovery was not as secure as it may have appeared on the surface - that there were major weaknesses that had not been resolved. Therefore, we must ask how far had Germany really recovered by 1929? Let’s look at the evidence. Sort the statements out into strengths and weakness of the Weimar Republic in 1929 Stresemann successful ended the Ruhr Crisis Unemployment remained a problem; it peaked and Hyperinflation - Germany’s most serious at 10% in 1927 crises in 1923 The ending of hyperinflation meant that people Farmers continued to struggle in the 1920s. could buy goods again, workers could be paid Farmers found it difficult to compete with and families no longer risked starvation the prices of foreign imports. This meant that people were buying cheaper products from abroad rather than from German farmers As a result of the loans and ending Germany was very reliant on the loans from hyperinflation, industry grew between 1924-29 America – if they were to go, Germany would by 40% fall into crisis The middle classes never recovered from Stresemann had hugely improved Germanys hyperinflation and the economic crises, they international reputation with the Locarno felt they were ignored by the Weimar Republic Treaty, entry to the League of Nations and and hated them. Kellogg Briand Pact. 22  Wages increased, working hours did not Hatred towards the Weimar Republic never increase and as a result workers were happier. went away, some like the Nazis thought that There was less striking. Stresemann had given in to the French in the Ruhr. What did Stresemann think? Source C 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 23  Plenary: Did Stresemann achieve political and economic stability in Germany? On the one hand… Even during these stable years, there were six 1924-29 saw more stable governments different coalition governments, the longest lasted for only two years. No riots, revolutions or political there were still extremists in Germany, such as Nazi crises between 1925-1929 supporters who did not want the Weimar Republic to succeed. The Social Democrats increased around 30% of the vote still regularly went to their support after 1924 parties opposed to the Republic, such as the Communists. The economy improved, cafes were Germany’s recovery was totally dependent on full, and shops were doing good American loans, which could be recalled at very business short notice. Also, farmers still found it hard to sell nevertheles their goods at a decent price s, Stresemann built good relations with extremists such as the Nazi party accused Germany’s former enemies, signing Stresemann of being a traitor for cooperating with treaties such as The Locarno Treaty Britain, France and the USA. however, ad Kellogg Briand Pact 24