The Weimar Republic in the Golden Twenties Foreign
The Weimar Republic in the “Golden Twenties” - Foreign Policy History of Germany Lecture 8
Schedule 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Introduction The Treaty of Versailles Cooperative revisionism Diplomatic successes Conclusion
Gustav Stresemann (1878 -1929), ca. 1920
Schedule 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Introduction The Treaty of Versailles Cooperative revisionism Diplomatic successes Conclusion
The Treaty of Versailles War guilt n Reduction of Reichswehr to 100, 000 men and restrictions on modern weapon systems n Loss of territory to France, Belgium, Poland, Denmark n Demilitarisation of the Rhineland n Reparations n
Treaty of Versailles ARTICLE 231. “The Allied and Associated Governments affirm and Germany accepts the responsibility of Germany and her allies for causing all the loss and damage to which the Allied and Associated Governments and their nationals have been subjected as a consequence of the war imposed upon them by the aggression of Germany and her allies. ”
Germania tied to the stake Postcard directed against the Treaty of Versailles, about 1920
Political Assassinations Matthias Erzberger 1921 Walther Rathenau 1921
Schedule 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Introduction The Treaty of Versailles Cooperative revisionism Diplomatic successes Conclusion
Revisionism All German political parties wanted to revise the Treaty of Versailles n Differences concerned extent of revision n Differences on which strategy should be applied: policy of patient negotiation including integration into international order or aggressive policy of strength? n Should use of force be allowed? n
Who will bring the Ostmark back? Poster of the DNVP for the elections to the National Assembly, 1919
Target “Occupation of the Ruhr” with anti-French propaganda, after 1923, wood
Schedule 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Introduction The Treaty of Versailles Cooperative revisionism Diplomatic successes Conclusion
Stresemann – a good European? n n n Conciliatory cooperative policy towards France and Britain Germany joins League of Nations n Economic pressure on Poland n Germany as advocate of rights of German minorities in Eastern Europe n Letter to Crown Prince: readjustment of Eastern borders and liberation of Germany from foreign domination Illegal military cooperation with Soviet Russia International recognition Nobel Peace Prize (together with Aristide Briand) n
Germany’s integration in European policy n n n Reparations: Dawes plan 1924, Young plan 1929 Locarno Treaty: Germany guarantees Western borders (but not Eastern borders) – early withdrawal of French and Belgian troops from Ruhr 1924/25 Germany joins League of Nations in 1926, gets seat in council Treaty of Berlin with Soviet Union: neutrality if one state is attacked Kellogg-Briand Pact in 1929: renounces use of force
Locarno…is the achievement of lasting peace on the Rhine, guaranteed by the formal renunciation of force by the two great neighboring nations and also by the commitment of other states to come to the aid of the victim of an act of aggression in violation of this treaty…It can and it ought to be the basis for a general cooperative effort among these nations to spread peace wherever their material power and moral influence reach. ” Gustav Stresemann 1926
Schedule 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Introduction The Treaty of Versailles Cooperative revisionism Diplomatic successes Conclusion
Was Stresemann successful? Foreign Policy Effects on domestic policy n Reparation payments now n German public opinion clear violently against amount and length of payments n American investment n German financial system n Beginning of reconciliation dependent on American with France and integration money into European policies n Public opinion: n Early withdrawal of French Germany gained too little by troops from Ruhr and later renouncing claim to Alsacefrom Rhineland Lorraine n No territorial revisions in the n Disappointment East Without doubt constructive and successful foreign policy in longer term perspective, in short-term perspective was not supported by German public opinion – was not able to give additional legitimacy to Weimar democracy
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