Veronika Nikolaeva; significance essay
Essay:
‘How significant was Stresemann for the survival of the Weimar Republic from 1923-
1929?’
Stresemann can be seen as a significant figure in German history because he restored economic
stability in the country. When Stresemann became Chancellor in 1923, he immediately called off
passive resistance and introduced a new currency – Rentenmark – as a way of dealing with
hyperinflation, the result of the invasion of Ruhr earlier in the year. However, one of Stresemann’s
main achievements in the German economy is the Dawes plan. It was a scheme which decided on
several measures to reflate the German economy. Those procedures included: allies withdrawing
from the Ruhr, restructuring reparations payments, reorganising Germany’s national bank
(Reichsbank), as well as the USA loaning 800 million marks. Stresemann accepted these proposals
and the plan marked the start of the period of stability for Weimar Germany; that lasted until the
Wall Street Crash in 1929. Other economic successes, achieved due to Stresemann's politics, were
soaring exports and imports, fall in unemployment and rising wages alongside improving standards
of living. In 1927 industry seemed to recover well, and in 1928 Germany reached roughly the same
level of production as it had before the war. Later in his career, Stresemann negotiated the Young
Plan, which reduced reparations by 75% and extended the repayment period by 59 years.
Altogether, Gustav Stresemann rebuilt economic prosperity and faith in the German economy.
Another way in which Stresemann was significant were foreign policies. After he lost the title of
chancellor, he became a foreign minister and remained in this post until his death. It is arguable that
as a foreign minister he achieved his greatest successes. Although he believed that in short-term
Germany should accept the Versailles treaty, in some ways, as a moderate, his foreign policy
ultimately aimed to restore German power in central Europe. As well as international re-
establishment for Germany. This led to some initiatives, targeting rebuilt of a peaceful image for
Weimar Germany. Dawes Plan is one of the first ones since it was powered and supported by the
Allies, however, it had more of an economic impact on the country. The most significant agreement
was the 1925 Locarno Treaties. Stresemann led German negotiations with the Allies over Germany's
western borders, which resulted in the ‘Rhineland Pact’. It guaranteed that Belgium France and
Germany would not attack each other and that if they did, Italy and Britain wold assist the country
under attack. Nevertheless, Germany refused to guarantee its borders in the east from possible
future revision and only offered arbitration agreements to Czechoslovakia and Poland. Locarno
treaties were more than just a few international agreements, they have reassured former German
enemies that the new Weimar was no longer a threat to them. This is known as ‘Locarno Spirit’,
which was promising a new era of diplomacy and democracy. To end German isolation completely,
Germany joined the league of nations in 1926 and became a permanent member of the council. As
to prove Stresemann's abilities, he won a Nobel peace prize the same year.
Even so, Stresemann wasn’t holy. He had some gaps in his policies and failed in some areas. It is true
to say that politics in his years of working in the government became much more stable and there
weren’t any attempted revolutions. Yet, behind the scenes nazis and communists were building up
their party organisations, suggesting that violence and extremism were still common. Moreover,
1
Essay:
‘How significant was Stresemann for the survival of the Weimar Republic from 1923-
1929?’
Stresemann can be seen as a significant figure in German history because he restored economic
stability in the country. When Stresemann became Chancellor in 1923, he immediately called off
passive resistance and introduced a new currency – Rentenmark – as a way of dealing with
hyperinflation, the result of the invasion of Ruhr earlier in the year. However, one of Stresemann’s
main achievements in the German economy is the Dawes plan. It was a scheme which decided on
several measures to reflate the German economy. Those procedures included: allies withdrawing
from the Ruhr, restructuring reparations payments, reorganising Germany’s national bank
(Reichsbank), as well as the USA loaning 800 million marks. Stresemann accepted these proposals
and the plan marked the start of the period of stability for Weimar Germany; that lasted until the
Wall Street Crash in 1929. Other economic successes, achieved due to Stresemann's politics, were
soaring exports and imports, fall in unemployment and rising wages alongside improving standards
of living. In 1927 industry seemed to recover well, and in 1928 Germany reached roughly the same
level of production as it had before the war. Later in his career, Stresemann negotiated the Young
Plan, which reduced reparations by 75% and extended the repayment period by 59 years.
Altogether, Gustav Stresemann rebuilt economic prosperity and faith in the German economy.
Another way in which Stresemann was significant were foreign policies. After he lost the title of
chancellor, he became a foreign minister and remained in this post until his death. It is arguable that
as a foreign minister he achieved his greatest successes. Although he believed that in short-term
Germany should accept the Versailles treaty, in some ways, as a moderate, his foreign policy
ultimately aimed to restore German power in central Europe. As well as international re-
establishment for Germany. This led to some initiatives, targeting rebuilt of a peaceful image for
Weimar Germany. Dawes Plan is one of the first ones since it was powered and supported by the
Allies, however, it had more of an economic impact on the country. The most significant agreement
was the 1925 Locarno Treaties. Stresemann led German negotiations with the Allies over Germany's
western borders, which resulted in the ‘Rhineland Pact’. It guaranteed that Belgium France and
Germany would not attack each other and that if they did, Italy and Britain wold assist the country
under attack. Nevertheless, Germany refused to guarantee its borders in the east from possible
future revision and only offered arbitration agreements to Czechoslovakia and Poland. Locarno
treaties were more than just a few international agreements, they have reassured former German
enemies that the new Weimar was no longer a threat to them. This is known as ‘Locarno Spirit’,
which was promising a new era of diplomacy and democracy. To end German isolation completely,
Germany joined the league of nations in 1926 and became a permanent member of the council. As
to prove Stresemann's abilities, he won a Nobel peace prize the same year.
Even so, Stresemann wasn’t holy. He had some gaps in his policies and failed in some areas. It is true
to say that politics in his years of working in the government became much more stable and there
weren’t any attempted revolutions. Yet, behind the scenes nazis and communists were building up
their party organisations, suggesting that violence and extremism were still common. Moreover,
1
