RECOVERY AND STABILITY: WEIMAR’S ‘GOLDEN AGE’
THE MAY 1924 ELECTIONS
Pretext:
• Stresemann’s government collapsed in late November 1923. However, Stresemann continued
to serve as Foreign Minister until 1929.
• In the Reichstag elections of May 1924, the Nationalist and Communist parties made signi cant
gains at the expense of the more moderate parties. This was caused by the uncertainty created
by the economic crisis.
Consequences of the May 1924 elections:
- SPD, DDP and DVP all lost seats: this shown that voters were not content with the actions
taken by Stresemann’s coalition government.
- SPD lost 71 seats: despite this, the SPD remained largest party in the Reichstag, but were
divided on whether or not to join a coalition. As a result, the SPD decided not to join coalitions
despite their position in government, meaning it required more parties to join a coalition to gain
a majority. Future governments were destined to have a wider range in political views and
therefore lack unity.
- Coalitions would have to involve the DNVP: as a consequence of the SPD’s withdrawal from
politics, the DNVP were now the largest party in the Reichstag.
- Rise in votes for Nationalist and Communist parties: both the KPD and the NSDAP had
gained a greater share of the vote within this election.
THE DAWES PLAN OF 1924
Context:
• The President of the USA, Calvin Coolidge, recognised that international action was needed in
order to aid Germany in overcoming her nancial problems. He supported proposals to create a
new plan for the payment of reparations.
• A committee of economists, led by Charles Dawes, was set up to investigate di erent solutions
to the reparations issue. The report was published in April 1924.
What did the plan recommend?
• The French to leave the Ruhr: they were to do so once Germany had accepted the plan.
• Reparations should be paid over a longer period of time: though the total amount was not
reduced, payments were based upon Germany’s ability to repay. A moderate scale of payments
that would not increase for 5 years was suggested.
• Credit loans should be provided to Germany: £40 million was loaned to Germany to help
rebuild her economy.
• The London Payment Plan: only when the German economy was beginning to recover (in
1929), would there be a higher level of reparations payments required.
• Allied supervision of the Reichsbank: meant that reparations payments would be organised in
a way that would not threaten the stability of the German currency. This would therefore
reassure the allies that Germany would be able to manage regular reparation payments.
Investment in Germany would also seem safer to foreign investors.
Summary of the Dawes Plan:
• The plan came into force on 01/09/1924. It marked a turning point in international relations;
restoring con dence and support to the German economy.
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, THE FAILURE OF COALITION POLITICS
The collapse of Luthers coalition:
• The new coalition of January 1925 led by Hans Luther excluded the socialists, but included
members of the DNVP for the rst time.
• The collapse of Luthers government arose from the DNVP’s objection to the terms of the
Locarno treaties.
Problems caused by the SPD:
• A new coalition was sought, but the SPD continued to object joining a coalition with ‘bourgeois
parties’ such as the DDP, ZP or DVP.
• Between 1924 and 1928, the SPD resisted becoming involved in forming workable coalition
governments despite its position as the Reichstag’s largest party. The reason for this was based
upon the belief that a coalition with the ‘bourgeois parties’ would lead to a compromise of the
party’s ideals. This belief was strengthened by the adoption of a Marxist based series of
policies by the ‘Heidelberg programme’ of 1925!
The election of President Hindenburg:
• Hindenburg was elected as president on 26/04/1925. As victor of the Battle of Tannenberg in
1914 he was much respected.
• Hindenburg won 14.6 million votes in comparison to the 13.7 million votes for Wilhelm Marx of
the centre party, and the 1.9 million for Ernst Thalmann of the KPD.
• From the start of his presidency, Hindenburg made it clear that he would not accept SPD
participation in coalition government; this was to have serious consequences on government
stability.
Government instability (January 1926-February 1928):
Hans Luther’s government:
• In January 1926, Hans Luther formed a minority coalition. The collapse of this coalition was
based upon issues regarding the ag of Germany, whether she was to maintain the ag of
imperial Germany, or the new democratic ag.
• The Reichstag passed a vote of no con dence in May 1926.
Wilhelm Marx’s government:
• The Marx cabinet was formed in June 1926, and relied on the support from the same parties as
its predecessor.
• This support was removed in late 1926, leading to the collapse of the Marx government.
Wilhelm Marx’s reformed government:
• Marx reformed his government in January 1927. This time it included DVP, BVP and DNVP.
However the con icting interests of each party put a strain on the government.
• This party passed some important social legislation such as a comprehensive reform of
unemployment insurance in July 1927.
• However, the party collapsed in February 1928 over the issue of religion in education.
THE REICHSTAG ELECTION OF MAY 1928
Results of the May 1928 elections:
• Left wing gains: the SPD increased their share of seats by 22, and the KPD by 9.
• Centre and right: had an overall loss in votes.
• Splinter parties: were on the rise. For example: the ‘Bauernbund’ — a party that represented
farmers interests, won 23 seats at 4.5% of the vote.
Consequences of the 1928 elections (DNVP reform):
• The DNVP faced a dramatic loss of the vote in comparison to the May 1924 elections. Overall,
losing 30 seats and 20.5% of the vote.
• This led to a demand for chase within the party. This change was in the form of the Lambach
Article of 1928 that was the trigger for a shift in the party’s policy.
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