Weimar-+The+Years+of+Stability+notes

Notes from packet titled, "Weimar: The Years of Stability 1924-9"

- The Strengths of the German Economy: - The Benefits of Social Welfare: - The Weaknesses in the German Economy: -Stresseman's Aims: ** -Actions -An Unstable Economy: problems in the economy were only temporarily fixed and it relied on the help of external powers -A divided Society: deep class differences still divided society. Regional and religious differences also prevented national harmony. -Political Division: The parliamentary system failed and the country failed to establish a shared political outlook -Foreign Affairs: Many people rejected Streseman's foreign policy and pressed for a more hardline approach. **
 * The Economic Recovery**- Following the hyper-inflation, Germany saw 5 years of economic growth and affluence
 * heavy industry was able to recovery quickly and production levels reached those of 1913 because of the use of more efficient methods of production.
 * Industry was able to lower cost because of the growing number of cartels (arrangements between businesses to control the market by exercising a join monopoly)
 * Exports rose by 40 %
 * A compulsory unemployment insurance covered 17 million workers in 1927
 * state subsidies were provided for the construction of local amenities (i.e. park, schools, etc)
 * economic growth was uneven and value of imports exceeded the value of exports
 * number of unemployed averaged 1.9 million
 * agriculture suffered and income per head in agriculture was 44 % below the national average.
 * world economic conditions (trade did not return to pre-war levels and exports were hindered by protective tariffs)
 * balance of population was changing- unemployment was likely
 * Economy was dependent on foreign employment
 * Finances continually ran into debt
 * Gustave Stresemann's Achievements:
 * free Germany form the limitation of the treaty of Versailles
 * restore Germany to the status of a great power
 * restore Franco-German friendship
 * obtain sympathy from USA
 * friendship with USSR
 * encourage co-operation and peace with Western Powers.
 * restoration of full German rule over the Saar and Rhineland
 * Called off passive resistance and resumed payments of reparations
 * Locarno Pact- an international security pact for Germany's western frontiers
 * Kellogg-Briand Pact- outlawed war as an instrument of national policy.
 * Young Plan-revised the payment of reparations
 * Treaty of Berlin- to continue a good Russo-German relationship
 * Weimar 1924-9: An Overview