The Importance of Gustav Stresemann Objective: To be able to explain the importance of Gustav Stresemann

The man From birth until 1923 Weimar was dogged by problems From birth until 1923 Weimar was dogged by problems it became calmer - Gustav Stresemann it became calmer - Gustav Stresemann DIFFER DIFFER

Dawes Plan 1924 French/Belgium troops occupied Rhur French/Belgium troops occupied Rhur Stresemann attended meeting BRI/FR/USA Stresemann attended meeting BRI/FR/USA Allowed Germany to repay only what it could afford Allowed Germany to repay only what it could afford It was a success but not all people felt this way – it didn’t reduce reparations It was a success but not all people felt this way – it didn’t reduce reparations

Inflation controlled 1923 Stresemann called in the worthless rentenmark, burned them Stresemann called in the worthless rentenmark, burned them One rentenmark was worth 300 billion One rentenmark was worth 300 billion Great success as people accepted it immediately

French leave the Ruhr 1923 Stresemann called off the passive resistance strike in the Ruhr Stresemann called off the passive resistance strike in the Ruhr Agreed to start repaying reparations Agreed to start repaying reparations Persuaded French to leave Ruhr Persuaded French to leave Ruhr

Foreign Affairs Locarno Pact 1925 – accepted borders laid down in TOV, agreeing loss of Alsace Lorraine Locarno Pact 1925 – accepted borders laid down in TOV, agreeing loss of Alsace Lorraine As Ger had shown goodwill it paved way for them joining the League of Nations in 1926 As Ger had shown goodwill it paved way for them joining the League of Nations in – Kellog Brand Pact 60 countries not to invade one another 1928 – Kellog Brand Pact 60 countries not to invade one another Not everybody was happy, people saw it as giving German land away to French Not everybody was happy, people saw it as giving German land away to French

Economic Growth Stresemann borrowed million gold marks, mainly from USA Stresemann borrowed million gold marks, mainly from USA Used to help industry – it boomed, led to prosperity in Germany Used to help industry – it boomed, led to prosperity in Germany Cultural life boomed – roaring twenties Marlene Dietrich Cultural life boomed – roaring twenties Marlene Dietrich Germany is dancing on a volcano Stresemann

Reforms Stresemann introduced laws to make life better for the working classes Stresemann introduced laws to make life better for the working classes 3 million homes were built 3 million homes were built

Impact of Recovery Weimar Republic was stable Weimar Republic was stable Decline in extremism e.g. communists and Nazis – greater support for democracy Decline in extremism e.g. communists and Nazis – greater support for democracy

The Golden Age? People had more money to spend – became pleasure capital of Europe People had more money to spend – became pleasure capital of Europe Little censorship – artists flocked to Berlin Little censorship – artists flocked to Berlin

Dancing on a volcano Although Ger did experience economic recovery there were still problems in Ger Although Ger did experience economic recovery there were still problems in Ger Ger economy became dependent on US loans Ger economy became dependent on US loans Invested money put in projects that required time Invested money put in projects that required time 1927 first signs of depression 1927 first signs of depression