How did the Weimar Republic survive?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/mwh/germany/weimarsurviverev1.shtml

In 1923 the Weimar Republic was teetering at the brink of a very large cliff with problems such as hyperinflation, attempted revolutions and public discontent, pushing it increasingly towards the edge. How could the Republic possibly survive?

Gustav Stresemann and Charles Dawes

In 1923, the Weimar Republic was on the verge of collapse, but, surprisingly, the crisis was the start of a period of stability and success. The period 1923-1929 was a time when the economy boomed and cultural life flourished in Germany.

This dramatic turnabout happened because Germany was saved by two people - Gustav Stresemann and Charles Dawes.

Gustav Stresemann

Gustav Stresemann had been a nationalist, but he realised that something needed to be done to save Germany.

The most important thing he did in 1923 was to organise the Great Coalition of moderate, pro-democracy parties in the Reichstag. At last, Germany had a government that could make laws!

Under Stresemann's guidance, the government called off the strike, persuaded the French to leave the Ruhr and even got the rest of the world to allow Germany to join the League of Nations in 1926.

Stresemann also introduced reforms to help ordinary people such as job centres, unemployment pay and better housing.

Charles Dawes Charles Dawes was the US budget director. In 1923, he was sent to Europe to sort out Germany's economy. Under his advice, theGerman Reichsbank was reformed and the old money was called in and burned. This ended the hyperinflation.

Dawes also arranged the Dawes Plan with Stresemann, which gave Germany longer to pay reparations. Most importantly, Dawes agreed to America lending Germany 800 million gold marks, which kick-started the German economy.

Was Weimar stable during 1923-1929?

Despite all the successes, many historians believe that the stability of the Weimar republic was illusory:

1. The Great Coalition collapsed before the end of 1923, and the Reichstagreturned to chaos. When the crisis came, it was unable to respond.

2. The nationalists and fascists did not win many seats in the Reichstag, but they were allowed to exist and campaign, so they were just waiting for the right opportunity to attempt a takeover again.

3. Everything depended on American money - if that stopped, Germany was ready to return to crisis.

Revision tip and answer preparation

Revision tip Make a list of all the facts from this revision bite, and divide them

into two sections: Things that caused the Weimar period's success. Things that are evidence of that success.

Answer preparation As part of your revision, think about the arguments and facts you

would use to explain: Why the Weimar Government survived in 1923. What the achievements of the Weimar period were. To what extent the Weimar government recovered after 1923. Whether Stresemann or Dawes was more important to Weimar

Germany's success. Whether Weimar Germany was a success in the period 1923-1929.

Check-Up Test

1. Who was Germany's leading politician after 1923? Gustav Streseman Gustav Stressemann Gustav Stresemann

2. What was the name of the moderate, pro-democracy group of Reichstag deputies he organised? The Great Coalition The Grand Alliance The Grand Coalition

3. What was his greatest achievement in foreign politics? Germany drove France out

of the Ruhr in 1923. Germany was admitted to

the League of Nations in 1926.

A plan to invade France through Belgium.

4. Which of these social reforms was introduced in the period 1923-1929? the welfare state polio vaccinations job centres

Check-Up Test

5. Who was Charles Dawes? US bank director US foreign secretary US budget director

6. How did Dawes end the hyperinflation in 1923? By burning Germany's

money. By burning down the

Reichsbank. By fixing prices at the

1923 level.

7. The Dawes Plan of 1924 gave Germany longer to pay its reparations, reformed the Reichsbank and... Gave Germany $800

million in loans. Gave Germany 800

million marks in loans.

Gave Germany £800 million in loans.

Check-Up Test

9. With what architectural movement is Walter Gropius associated?BauhausPost-modernismFunctionalism

10. What was the greatest weakness of the Weimar Republic in the years 1923-1929?Hitler was plotting to

take power by an election.

The German economy was booming.

It was totally dependent on American money.

1. Who was Germany's leading politician after 1923? Gustav Stresemann was Germany's leading

politician after 1923.

2. What was the name of the moderate, pro-democracy group of Reichstag deputies he organised? The Great Coalition

3. What was his greatest achievement in foreign politics? Germany being admitted to the League of

Nations in 1926 was his greatest achievement in foreign politics.

4. Which of these social reforms was introduced in the period 1923-1929? Job centres were introduced in the period

1923-1929.

5. Who was Charles Dawes? Charles Dawes was the US budget director.

6. How did Dawes end the hyperinflation in 1923? Dawes ended the hyperinflation in 1923

by burning Germany's money.

7. The Dawes Plan of 1924 gave Germany longer to pay its reparations, reformed the Reichsbank and... The Dawes Plan of 1924 gave Germany

longer to pay its reparations, reformed the Reichsbank and gave Germany 800 million marks in loans.

9. With what architectural movement is Walter Gropius associated? Walter Gropius is associated with the

Bauhaus movement.

10. What was the greatest weakness of the Weimar Republic in the years 1923-1929? It was totally dependent on American

money.