The Stresemann Era

Introducing the Rentenmark to 'solve' hyperinflation (1923):

Under Stresemann’s leadership, the Weimar government introduced the Rentenmark in November 1923, cutting the '0s' of the now worthless Papiermark, restoring confidence and stabilising the economy of the Weimar Republic.

Stresemann also helped solve hyperinflation by reducing Government Spending. He let unnecessary workers go and reduced the pay of the Government workers who were kept.

Negotiating and implementing the Dawes Plan (1924):

Streseman was instrumental in securing loans from the US, which Weimar Germany could use to pay reparations and invest in its economy. 

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The Golden Period / 'The Golden Twenties':

• The economic stabilisation of Germany led to a period of economic growth. German industry recovered as production levels increased, and unemployment rates decreased. The new influx of capital helped to modernise German industry, whilst Germany saw its export market widen.

• There was increased investment in infrastructure, such as the construction of roads, railways, and public buildings, which helped to create jobs, improve the efficiency of the transportation and communication networks within Germany, and improve the quality of life. 

• Improvements to the working conditions and labour rights of Germans were made during the Stresemann Era. The government improved the living standards for many Germans through its promotion of social welfare (including insurance), housing programmes and initiatives which aimed to improve working conditions.

The Locarno Treaties (1925):

The Locarno Treaty was an agreement of borders and restrictions. Germany accepted its borders with France and Belgium, and they agreed to be in a state of peace with Germany. However, it did not address Germany's borders with countries in Eastern Europe.

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Joining the League of Nations (1926):

The successes of the Locarno Treaties and German diplomacy in the 1920s meant it was allowed to join the League as a permanent member of the Security Council; marking its return to the international community.

The Young Plan (1929):

The Young Plan restructured and reduced Germany's World War I reparations payments, agreed to a schedule for how they would be paid, and created the Bank for International Settlements to facilitate reparation payments.

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