Learning Objective: To understand how successfully Stresemann dealt with Germany’s problems

What was Weimar like ? Weimar formed in completely new constitution Faced problems The threat from the left 1919 Jan Spartacists Defeated by the right- Freikorps Not really much of a threat after this The threat from the right Kapp Putsch (March 1920) defeated by a strike of the Berlin people- highlighted weakness of Weimar Nov 1923 Munich Putsch- Hitler- failed but had important consequences for the Party Economic problems Reparations (6.6 million) Germany didn’t pay their second instalment- The French invaded and the government used passive resistance. The gov. printed money- hyperinflation (eco crisis) By the end of 1923 Germany faced disaster The answer= Gustav Stresemann- solved Germany’s problems

Gustav Stresemann Stresemann became Chancellor of Germany in August 1923 in the middle of the economic crisis He has often been seen as Germany’s saviour- he managed to help them out of their crisis and started a new period of relative stability and prosperity. From he was Germany’s foreign minister He died in 1929 of a heart attack But how successful was Stresemann?

Using pp complete the table on Stresemann’s actions ProblemStresemann’s policy Rating *****= fantastic *=poor Explain why. Was it a success? Failure? Hyperinflation French occupation of the Ruhr Germany’s relationships with other countries German industry short of investment

How successful was Stresemann? ProblemStresemann’s policyHow successful was it? Explain why Rating *****= fantastic *=poor Hyperinflati on Scrap all the old money and introduce a new currency- the Rentenmark Ended hyperinflation However, all people lost their savings and never forgave Weimar for it French occupation of the Ruhr Try to negotiate reparations payments- Dawes plan- allowed Germany to pay what they could afford. It also bought major investment to Germany Yes- French troops left the Ruhr BUT some thought he had just given into the French As a result of investment some of the economy recovered Germany’s relationship s with other countries Tried to improve these through co-operation. He made a number of agreements such as Locarno, Kellogg Briand Pact and was allowed in to the League of Nations Germany was now a major European power again BUT some criticised Stresemann for not getting rid of the Treaty- stopping the reparations and taking back the land etc German industry short of investment Accepted loans from USA- built new factories, housing, schools, roads etc This meant more jobs and Germany started to make money Some of the progress was slow and not all people benefited. Some feared that it was built on American money that they could ask for to be returned at any time.

Was Stresemann successful? He had helped Germany to get back on their feet and they prospered as a result He got Germany accepted and some negotiation had taken place over reparations- in the future they might be able to negotiate more changes X Stresemann had only made small steps and people were unhappy with these X It seemed like he had just accepted the Treaty and not tried to change it X It all depended on foreign help which they could withdraw and Germany would be back to the start again.

10 mark question “the most important reason for the success of the Weimar Republic between 1924 and 1929 was US loans” Do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.

Balanced answer Yes it was US loans No it was other factors

Task:Write an obituary for Stresemann An obituary is written for someone after their death It talks about their life, actions and achievements (failures, low points as well)

Example An Obituary for Gustav Stresemann Born: May Died: October 3 rd 1929 Key role: Achievements: Gustav Stresemann was one of Germany’s most successful and popular statesmen. Stresemann came to power in August 1923 amid Germany’s economic crisis and quickly became their saviour. Stresemann made a huge impact and had considerable achievements in this role…….. Further achievements were………….. etc