New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

Economic recovery under Stresemann

I can explain why the German economy recovered between 1924 and 1929.

New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

Economic recovery under Stresemann

I can explain why the German economy recovered between 1924 and 1929.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Gustav Stresemann became chancellor during the hyperinflation crisis before becoming foreign minister.
  2. Stresemann ended hyperinflation by taking a number of decisive actions including the introduction of a new currency.
  3. Stresemann agreed two new reparations plans with the Allies: the Dawes and Young Plans.
  4. Industrial production and infrastructure were revitalised, reducing unemployment and boosting Germany’s status.
  5. Economic recovery depended on American loans and extended reparations continued to attract criticism of the Republic.

Keywords

  • Loans - money that is borrowed and has to be paid back, usually with an extra fee

  • Rentenmark - a temporary currency issued in 1923 to stop hyperinflation

  • Dawes Plan - an agreement between Germany and the Allies: it restructured reparations, provided US loans to Germany, and led to French troops leaving the Ruhr

  • Young Plan - an agreement between Germany and the Allies: it reduced Germany’s reparations by 20%, though it faced criticism for prolonging debt

  • Infrastructure - the basic systems and services, such as transport and power supplies, that a country uses in order to work effectively

Common misconception

Germany's recovery in the 1920s completely solved its economic problems and secured long-term stability.

Much of the recovery depended on American loans. What happens to Germany’s economy if those loans are withdrawn or if the US faces its own crisis? This shows how fragile the recovery really was.


To help you plan your year 11 history lesson on: Economic recovery under Stresemann, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Pupils could create a timeline of Stresemann’s key actions as chancellor and foreign minister. Alternatively, pupils could create a storyboard illustrating how US loans fuelled a cycle of recovery: loans modernise factories; workers employed; spending boosts demand; factories expand further.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
French and Belgian troops occupied the __________ Valley in January 1923.
Correct Answer: Ruhr
Q2.
German workers in the Ruhr resisted the French occupation through __________ resistance.
Correct Answer: passive
Q3.
Why did the Weimar Government print money during the Ruhr occupation?
to invest in rebuilding Germany’s industrial sector
to manipulate foreign exchange rates
to repay reparations to France and Belgium
Correct answer: to support striking workers by paying their wages
Q4.
Which of the following were effects of hyperinflation in Germany?
Correct answer: people resorted to bartering for food
Correct answer: savings lost their value
Correct answer: the cost of bread increased drastically
the government increased taxes to stabilise the economy
Q5.
Who suffered the most during hyperinflation in Germany?
farmers in rural areas
government officials
Correct answer: middle class savers
Q6.
How did the economic struggles caused by hyperinflation impact political attitudes in Germany?
Correct answer: they increased support for the communists and Nazis
they led to widespread support for moderate democratic parties
they strengthened public trust in the Weimar Government

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What role did Gustav Stresemann take on after stepping down as chancellor in 1923?
commander-in-chief
Correct answer: foreign minister
minister of finance
president
Q2.
Stresemann introduced the __________ to stabilise the economy and reduce hyperinflation.
Correct Answer: Rentenmark
Q3.
What was the Dawes Plan?
an agreement to provide American loans to France
Correct answer: a restructured reparations payment plan
a programme to reduce unemployment
Q4.
Starting with the earliest, sort these events into chronological order:
1 - hyperinflation
2 - the Rentenmark is launched
3 - the Dawes Plan is introduced
4 - the Young Plan is agreed
Q5.
Why was the Young Plan criticised by some Germans?
it ended reparations payments
Correct answer: it extended reparations payments for decades
it made reparations higher than before
it tied reparations to hyperinflation
Q6.
Why did many Germans support Paul von Hindenburg as president?
he introduced a new currency
Correct answer: he was a former war hero who represented stability
he was a strong advocate for democracy

Additional material

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