Short lecture on Weimar Germany and economic factors that impacted German development in the inter War years.

1. The Weimar
Republic
Germany 1919-1933

2. 1. Explain impact of Great Depression.
2. Identify locations in Eastern Europe and
Central Asia.

3. Today’s Objectives
1. Explain impact of Great Depression.
2. Identify locations in Eastern Europe and
Central Asia.

4. Legacy of the Treaty of
Versailles for the Germans
Limit to size of military (very limited)
& war guilt ➞ attack on national pride
Loss of overseas colonies & of
territories in Europe (Alsace-Lorraine)
➞ loss of income
Loss of life and resources from war ➞
economic hardship
War reparations ➞ external debt
All told ➠ strain on country

5. Weimar Government
Formed at the end of the war to bring a peaceful conclusion
to the war ➞ Kaiser out
Signed the Treaty of Versailles, under protest (but no choice)
SPD - Socialist Democratic party that was fiercely anti-
Communist in power, though considered a moderate party
Attempted to gather coalition of leaders to govern
Radical socialists/communists on the left; radical
conservatives in the National Socialist German Worker’s
Party (Nazi) on the right

6. War Reparations
1921 - Government charged with £6.6 billion
Couldn’t make payments within the first two
years
70,000 French and Belgian troops march into
the Ruhr Valley and occupy ➞ take control to
take money for reparations

8. Economic Impact
By the end of 1923 - the impact
to the German economy
would be catastrophic
In order to keep up, the
Weimar government begins to
print more money. As prices
for goods rise, the currency is
valued less and less. This is
inflation.
Hyperinflation - inflation that
is out of control.

11. A New Leader
Gustav Stresemann - appointed
Chancellor in 1923
Effective leader who would
help Germany recover from
panic of hyperinflation
Agreed to Dawes Plan
(reduced reparations to more
manageable amounts)
Negotiated Locarno Pact
(protected German borders; no
further Alliance occupation)

12. Weimar on Path of
Recovery?
Many indications show that German
production was increasing and was on path to
some recovery
In October, 1929, though, Stresemann dies from
stroke. Timing couldn’t have been worse
Shortly after his death - world is rocked by
another event

13. The Great Depression
October 29, 1929 - Black
Tuesday - $10 Billion wiped
off the value of share prices
in one day.
Impact would be felt around
the world.

14. Vocabulary
Ruhr Valley
Hyperinflation
Dawes Plan
Black Tuesday