Stresemann and Foreign policy

1. Stresemann and Foreign policy Did Stresemann’s foreign policy decisions make the Weimar Republic stable?

2. Gustav Stresemann • Foreign minister for Weimar Republic from 1923 to 1929. • Key foreign policy achievements: - Locarno Treaties 1925 - German entry into League of Nations 1926 - Treaty of Berlin 1926 - Negotiating the end of Allied Occupation of Germany • Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his diplomatic work.

3. Stresemann aimed to restore Germany’s position in the world. He hoped that cooperation would lead to fairer treatment of Germany and would speed up Germany’s recovery. He aimed to build closer links with the USA, the USSR and France. He aimed to end Germany’s diplomatic isolation. He pursued a policy of Erfüllungspolitik (fulfillment), whereby he advocated cooperation with the other powers and compliance with the Treaty of Versailles. Stresemann and Foreign policy

4. The Versailles Treaty had determined that Germany should pay reparations to the allies for war damage. The figure was set at £6600 million in 1921. Stresemann decided that he had to address the reparations issue. Dawes Plan 1924 – negotiated a more rational payback schedule and secured a large loan to help stabilise Germany’s economy. The plan helped to make Germany’s economy less vulnerable and meant reparations could be paid on schedule. Reparations….

5. The Young Plan • The Weimar Republic had paid it’s reparation payments on schedule since 1924, however the debt was still a burden. • Stresemann helped to negotiate the Young Plan, which reduced the amount of reparations to be paid substantially, reduced annual payments, ended Allied supervision of payments and helped to secure the withdrawal of Allied troops from Germany (1930). • Germany seen to be stable enough to be trusted with it’s own affairs.

6. Locarno Pact 1925 Treaties signed with Britain, France, Belgium and Italy Germany accepted their western borders and all sides rejected the use of invasion League of Nations 1926 Germany joined the League and was recognised as a legitimate and stable power Given great power status on the League Council – given the right to veto Locarno and the League of Nations

7. Did Stresemann’s Foreign policy decisions help or hinder the Weimar Republic? • The Dawes and Young Plans helped to make the German economy more stable. • The Locarno Pact and membership of the League of Nations helped to improve relations between Germany and other important nations. Both of these moves highlighted Germany’s commitment to a peaceful future and also helped Germany to raise it’s own issues with the other powers.

8. However…. • Failed to achieve significant revision of the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. • Failed to achieve widespread support from the German population: • Right wing opponents argued that decisions like the Locarno Pact and the Young Plan were compromises, and made Germany look weak. The Nazi party was involved in opposition to Stresemann’s plans. • The majority of Germans felt that Stresemann had failed to restore national pride.