The Dawes Plan and Economic Recovery, 1924-29

• This period occupies a crucial phase in German history, characterized by efforts to stabilize and rebuild the nation's economy.

• The Dawes Plan of 1924 played a significant role in the country's economic recovery. It was an agreement with the United States, which provided loans to Germany to help repay its reparations debts from World War I.

• This plan significantly alleviated Germany's financial burdens and contributed to economic stability, which in turn brought about some degree of political stability.

• It led to a flow of American money into Germany, contributing to an era of noticeable economic growth known as the "Golden Years" of the Weimar Republic.

• The Dawes Plan arguably made Germany overly reliant on international loans, particularly from the US, making it vulnerable to external economic shocks such as the Wall Street Crash in 1929.

Social Developments, 1924-29

• This period also saw significant social developments in Germany with considerable progress in areas such as education, housing and welfare.

• There was a major expansion in public health and social welfare initiatives, funded by the newly stabilised economy. These developments significantly improved the living conditions of many Germans.

• There was also a cultural blossoming, particularly in cities like Berlin, which became renowned for their art, music, cinema, architecture, and intellectual life.

• Although these cultural changes were embraced by many Germans, they also triggered a backlash among more conservative sections of the population, who viewed them as radical and un-German.

Political Stability, 1924-29

• Some relative measure of political stability was restored during this period, particularly under the leadership of Gustav Stresemann.

• Stresemann, who served as Chancellor and then as Foreign Minister, pursued a policy of 'fulfilment', ensuring that Germany met its obligations under the Treaty of Versailles, thus improving Germany's international stature and restoring a sense of national pride.

• Stresemann's tenure was not without its controversies, particularly his policy of cooperating with the Treaty of Versailles, which was viewed as a betrayal by more nationalist segments of the population.

• Despite these successes, the Weimar Republic continued to be plagued by underlying political weaknesses, not least its reliance on a coalition of moderate parties that left it vulnerable to the rise of extremist political movements.

International Relations, 1924-29

• Germany's international relations improved significantly during this period. The Locarno Pact of 1925, for instance, led to treaties with France, Britain, Italy, and Belgium in which the borders defined by the Treaty of Versailles were agreed upon.

• Germany's membership of the League of Nations in 1926 marked another significant milestone. It returned Germany to the international community and gave it a semblance of normalcy.

• These improvements in Germany's international status did much to boost the Weimar Republic's legitimacy and popularity at home and abroad. But, as with other areas of progress in this period, this upswing in fortunes would prove to be distressingly fragile.