Germany Experienced a Period Of Stability During..

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‘Germany experienced a period of stability during the Stresemann years’. How far do you agree with this judgement? Towards the end of 1923, Germany was in turmoil and chaos. Hyperinflation has resulted in ruined savings, unemployment increasing and social unrest. At the end of 1923, Stresemann became Chancellor and also served as the foreign minister until his death in 1929. During these years, Germany recovered in economy, national pride and confidence. These years can be perceived as the “Golden Age” of the republic. However, this redemption in Germany may not have been as full as it seems so it is necessary to balance the successes and failures. Initially, during this period Stresemann made some tough decisions but they resulted in a stabilised economy. One of his policies was to withdraw the old currency and replace it with the mark which would be kept in limited supply and therefore would not suffer from inflationary pressures. Additionally he ordered people back to work including the Ruhr who were on strike. He also introduced the Dawes plan which restructured the reparations and resulted in an additional loan from the USA to ease off the payments. This enabled Germany to make regular easy payments. Eventually, this led to massive foreign investment in Germany. As a positive multiplier effect, factories were set up, jobs increased, unemployment declined, wealth was created and standard of living improved. Germany had begun to establish it’s stability as a nation. In addition to economic improvements, changes were made internationally, regarding foreign relations resulting in reclaiming their pride and status. 1925- Licarno pact, 1926- League of Nations, 1928, kellog Bryant pact, 1929, Young plan. All these policies and measures resulted in increased political stability. Even support for extreme parties declined which meant uprisings and revolutions
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