1. The Weimar Republic: The Stresemann Years What were the successes and failures of Gustav Stresemann’s era?

2. Main Facts Gustav Stresemann became chancellor in August 1923… but was Foreign Minister for much longer Gustav Stresemann became chancellor in August 1923… but was Foreign Minister for much longer He believed Germany’s problems could be solved through careful management of the country and working with other nations He believed Germany’s problems could be solved through careful management of the country and working with other nations Believed the only way to change the Treaty of Versailles was through co-operation with foreign countries (people like Hitler heartily disagreed!) Believed the only way to change the Treaty of Versailles was through co-operation with foreign countries (people like Hitler heartily disagreed!) Many call the Stresemann era the “Golden Years” of the Weimar Republic Many call the Stresemann era the “Golden Years” of the Weimar Republic

3. What did he do?? Introduced a new currency (the Rentenmark) and cut Government spending to counter hyperinflation Introduced a new currency (the Rentenmark) and cut Government spending to counter hyperinflation Helped stifle political uprisings, notably the Munich Putsch, and maintained a steady degree of political stability. Extremist groups found it hard to win seats during his era Helped stifle political uprisings, notably the Munich Putsch, and maintained a steady degree of political stability. Extremist groups found it hard to win seats during his era He also arranged many international pacts and alliances to improve inter-country relations He also arranged many international pacts and alliances to improve inter-country relations

4. His work as a foreign minister, the role he took after ending his chancellorship, was particularly important…. 1924- DAWES PLAN 1924- DAWES PLAN –Arranged a USA loan of 800 million marks –Decreased reparations sum owed –Increased the time in which reparations had to be paid 1925- LOCARNO PACT 1925- LOCARNO PACT –Germany, France & Belgium –Agreed to respect their borders 1926- JOINED LEAGUE OF NATIONS 1926- JOINED LEAGUE OF NATIONS –Increased trust with other nations & improved relations 1929- DAWES PLAN 1929- DAWES PLAN –Increased the time in which reparations had to be paid

5. Art & Culture Improved architecture- blend of art & engineering, Bauhaus group… Improved architecture- blend of art & engineering, Bauhaus group… Lots of new art Lots of new art New theatres and play writers, very successful New theatres and play writers, very successful Lots of New German Literature Lots of New German Literature Painters Painters Jazz music etc Jazz music etc –However some people saw all this as moral decline –They preferred traditional values –Saw jazz etc as unpatriotic

6. To sum up… POSITIVES More friendly international relations More friendly international relations Political stability Political stability Less demand from the public for a return to the “good old days” of the Kaiser- people were beginning to accept the republic Less demand from the public for a return to the “good old days” of the Kaiser- people were beginning to accept the republic Achievements in art and design Achievements in art and designNEGATIVES Success was based on huge loans Success was based on huge loans Seen as period of moral decline by many Seen as period of moral decline by many Hitler etc disagreed with foreign policy Hitler etc disagreed with foreign policy Exports fell Exports fell Farmers were in debt Farmers were in debt Some disliked the fact that the Treaty of Versailles had not been reversed, and blamed the government Some disliked the fact that the Treaty of Versailles had not been reversed, and blamed the government