Theme 3 Questions

Was Weimar government successful in solving the economic problems 1918-32?

Context: Weak economy due to effects of war: Inflation(after printing more money), Loss of land due to TOV, Black Market, Strikes

Agree:

- Social Welfare: Loans for those leaving the army, Pension payments for wounded, SW programmes for disabled veterans

Disagree:

- The Ruhr: Jan 1923 French occupied Ruhr- cut Ruhr off rest of Germany- neither benefitted from situation

- Hyperinflation: Supply demand issues for food, Black market escalated,Strikes created instability, Gov failed to deal with it- cut back on staff

How succesful was Stresemann's policies in economic recovery?

Context: Chancellor in 1923. Stabilising force in gov using compromise

Agree:

- Policies to regain control of money: New currency introduced (Rentenmark). Restored faith in German curency, prices settled. Gov controlled wages, prices helped stabilise economy

- Agriculture and Trade: Bigger farms could invest in new machinery and farming techniques as still significant employer. Other countries needed Germany's steel and chemicals. League of Nations- exports increased

Disagree: 

- Money: Disputes between workers and businesses affected industrial expansion which drove wages up

Dealing with Great Depression 1929-32

1929, US economy collapse, Wall Street Crash, no more loans, global depression

Agree:

- International agreement suspended need for Germany to pay back loans for a year

- Tax concessions for businesses led to some economic improvement

Disagree:

- Emergency decree introduced wage cuts, tax rises- industrial production fell, prices fell

-  Policies hard on German people and didnt seem to work

Policies only deepened the recession

How successful were Nazi gov in overcome economic problems? 1933-45

Came to power during time of economic instability following GD. 6mill unemployed, homelessness increasing

Agree:

- Unemployment: Manipulated the statistics- Jews not allowed to work in certain occupations and women discouraged to work, Nazis created temporary work and encouraged businesses…