Overall on the subject of the economy Stresemann did do whatever he could do to rescue the shattered Germany however that is not the question, it is how far did Germany recover and in what ways the Weimar republic recovered under him, not how hard did he try. So although he does deserve credit for building Germany’s economy up in 1923 his economic policies were not going to bring a full recovery for Germany.
In the 1920s under Stresemann there was also evidence of a cultural revival. The German citizens all seemed to be prospering from the American loans and they had more money which meant they could go out and enjoy themselves. As a result of this; culture boomed and Berlin became a thriving centre of arts.
German literature flourished as did painters and play writers. Expressionist filmmakers such as Fritz Land created the riveting science fiction- “metropolis”.
In addition to this there was a new spirit of freedom amongst artists and writers; this was due to a greater freedom of expression. Unlike under the harsh censorship of the Kaiser, government criticism and sexual content were allowed in media.
A sense of freedom was good and it added to the spirit of the “golden age” however not everybody was in favour of the new, expressional art and culture. Many Germans were against the change and new ideas. They also considered it all unpatriotic and decadent as this new art did not celebrate or even reflect traditional values of German society for example religion and military duty.
Before Stresemann took over The Weimar Government weren’t exactly wining popularity contests. After coming into power replacing a well like, Kaiser, they were left with little choice but to sign the hated treaty of Versailles. The treaty was so unpopular due to the extremely harsh way Germany was treated. Along with the 231 guilt clause, were Germany is forced to take the entire blame of the Second World War, there were also 8 billion pound reparations, certain land and liabilities took away from them and other hated terms. The fact that signing this treaty was the Weimar government’s first act in power did not set them off to a good start. Many people disliked the fact the Germany were going to be run by a democratic system, they had gotten used to the power and control being simply left to the Kaiser, a lot of Germans were against changing the traditional ways.
After Introducing the Retenmark however Stresemann increased the stability of the government, they gave Germany more respect; they could be looked at as a potential trading partner and were at a much more valued position, Germany’s money was now worth something again.
Stresemann also made the government more stable when he signed the Kelogg Briand Pact in 1928. This was a treaty Germany, along with 60 other countries signed, to agree never to go to war with each other. This would help with the recovery of the Weimar government; countries would see this as a new Germany. They were rejecting war and its past with its strong and respected army it was also a clever idea from Stresemann as Germany were in no position to go to war anyway.
However all of this yet making Germany stable and the Weimar republic more stable in the eyes of other countries it was not technically recovering. The Kelogg Briand Pact was a sign of acceptance of the treaty of Versailles, a large percentage of the German population would have been against this, it was as if they were stabbing Germany in the back. And the right wing nationalists would have been furious at rejecting war and signing a peace treaty with 60 other countries just to keep them happy.
On the whole the Weimar democracy was still at risk, although the introduction of the retenmark had improved its creditability extremely and the pact had made it seem more stable. It was in fact still a disliked government as it had been from the start. Stresemann had done much to aid its stability and popularity and his attempts had been successful in the eyes of other countries. However this was all due to Germany’s economy being improved, not the improvement of the government itself and as soon as America was to call in their loans Germany’s economy would crash again… along with its newly earnt credibility and respect.
However it was not questioned that other countries were beginning to except Germany, Stresemann had other ideas to aid with the recovery of Germany.
In 1925 Germany and France signed a treaty to agree to never try to change the border between them. This was building a relationship with France a strong power with influence over other important countries it was brave of Stresemann as it was yet another move he made in power which was helpful at the time but what the Germans would hate him for. It was seen as accepting the treaty of Versailles, Stresemann is making deals with France after they wanted so much revenge after world war two. The country was in tatters after the defeat and they wanted it to stay this way, unable of attacking again. The Germans saw it as being effectively stabbed in the back.
Another decision Stresemann made with only the downside being unpopularity, yet again, was the joining of the League of Nations. When Germany was accepted this was a definite sign of respect from all the League of Nations countries. People would be willing to invest in Germany and it was a solid way of building up the country without the threat of it all falling back down on them. Although it was hated by most Germans especially the communists for yet again accepting the treaty of Versailles he made a good long term decision for Germany.
In conclusion Stresemann deserves huge credit for rebuilding Germany. Against bitter attacks from nationalists and communists he did what he believed would help Germany and not what would keep him in power- which he proved when he had to give up his position as chancellor. He defended Germany's acceptance of the Treaty of Versailles as a reality and as the only realistic starting point for a successful foreign policy and to rebuild a position of extreme prosperity for Germany. He reduced reparations with the Dawes Plan however a lot of his decisions were short term. Germany as a country were not behind them and they resented his judgement
He did all he could and was a successful foreign minister however it was not a real recovery. He was simply, “papering over the cracks” despite his best efforts to build a strong powerful Germany back up again. Stresemann was trying to perfect a politically and economically unstable Germany and it was an impossible job to do. Under Stresemann Germany recovered in many ways; he helped increase goods and jobs through factories, international support through joining the League of Nations and the Lacarno pact and he uplifted the spirit of Germany due to a greater freedom of expression. Yet through his decision making long term consequences were not factored in like the eventual repayment to America due to the Dawes plan, and so in my opinion although Stresemann did the best he could do in rebuilding Germany his best did not help Germany recover very far at all.
