Learning Objective: To understand
how successfully Stresemann dealt
with Germany’s problems
What was Weimar like 1919-1923?
Weimar formed in 1919- completely new
constitution
Faced problems
The threat from the left
•1919 Jan
•Spartacists
•Defeated by the rightFreikorps
•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 PutschHitler- 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 moneyhyperinflation (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 1924-29 he was
Germany’s foreign minister
• He died in 1929 of a heart
attack
• But how successful was
Stresemann?
Using pp.26-27 complete the
table on Stresemann’s actions
Problem
Hyperinflation
French
occupation of the
Ruhr
Germany’s
relationships
with other
countries
German industry
short of
investment
Stresemann’s
policy
Rating
Explain why.
*****= fantastic Was it a
*=poor
success?
Failure?
How successful was Stresemann?
Problem
Stresemann’s policy
How successful was it?
Explain why
Hyperinflati
on
Scrap all the old money and
introduce a new currencythe 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 planallowed 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
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 Treatystopping the reparations and
taking back the land etc
German
industry
short of
investment
Accepted loans from USAbuilt new factories, housing,
schools, roads etc
This meant more jobs and
Germany started to make
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
As a result of investment some
of the economy recovered
Rating
*****=
fantastic
*=poor
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 reparationsin 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 10 1878
Died: October 3rd 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