"What was the State of the Weimar Republic in 1924?" GCSE World History (100% a Grade)

In 1924 the Weimar Republic's prospects looked good. Many of its major problems had been overcome. However, other problems were still lying below the surface.

By 1924 most of the political opponents of the Weimar Republic had been defeated. For example, a left wing communist group known as the Spartacists attempted to set up Soviets in many towns in the early 1919's. However, Erbert supported a Vigilante group known as the Freikorp who manage to kill many Spartacists including their leaders Karl Liebnknecht and Rosa Luxemburg. Another party they faced were those who had become successful during the Kaiser's reign, they were lead by Dr. Wolfgang Kapp who lead 5000 Freikorps into Berlin for a rebellion known as the Kapp Putsch. They were more successful than the Spartacists but the leader Kapp left after the industrial workers of Berlin saved a strike from occurring. However none of the other rebels were punished.

However, there were still powerful groups who did not like the republic. For example, the Nazi party lead by Adolf Hitler that began in 1919. They disagreed with the Weimar republic greatly and called them the 'November Criminals' because they signed an armistice. And in 1923 the Munich Putsch lead by Hitler tried to take over the government in Germany; but the Weimar Republic managed to arrest the Nazi Storm Troopers and only 16 Nazis were killed.

By 1924 Weimar Germany's economic situation looked promising. The following actions were taken: Chancellor Stresemann built up the economy under the Dawes Plan which involved Germany getting loans from America to help make their economy better and they got 800 million marks in loans from America. However, this wasn't completely good news as there were some concerns. Since America loaned Germany this money, they could call upon Germany to give it back anytime. This would ruin the lower class businesses such as farmers and peasants who had over produced in the war period and now struggled to sell within the peace time. However, this was necessary to keep the economy in Germany flowing; regardless of how badly the working class got it.

By 1924, the Weimar Republic could claim to have the support of most Germans. This can be seen from the politics getting more stable and people are beginning to accept the way things are. They also signed the Locarno Treaty claimed that Germany accepted their new borders; with this new treaty signed, Germany were finally allowed to join the League of Nations; making peace with the other countries in Europe.

Against this, there were several groups who had reasons to oppose the republic, or not support it strongly. For example, the Nazis had become a larger opponent after the removal of the old leader was replaced with Adolf Hitler in 1921. The Nazis were a very dangerous opponent, because they had prospered from the hate of the Weimar republic and were the other extremist view to them. They were the biggest threat to the Weimar Republic at this point, and lead by the ridiculously charismatic Adolf Hitler.

Overall, it is fair to say that the state of the Weimar Republic in 1924 was mixed. On the positive side they had finally managed to stabilise the economy with the help of the Dawes Plan gaining 800 million marks as well as changing the currency to the Rentenmark. Although they solved the after war depression, they still had enemies mainly from the communists and fascists to begin with. But the republic managed to deal with them with special troops such as the Freikorps for the Communists, and the fascist party also began to stop functioning after their leader Wolfgang was lost. But once these threats were out of the way and the economy was stable again, Germany began to have a cultural resurrection with many writers and composers being at the top of their game for a short while. They had also signed the Locarno Treaty, which allowed better relations with the League of Nations and were even given membership allowing them to make peace with their enemies.

The Weimar republic had started off badly with the problems of: extremist parties, hyperinflation, and many loans, but thanks to the help of Chancellor Stresemann who truly pulled Germany and Weimar republic out of a very big hole; the Weimar republic started badly but then got better once the public got used to the Weimar Republic. Unfortunately the Nazi influence gradually gets stronger to become the dominant party.