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Why did the Weimar Republic Survive?


            There were many contributing factors that enabled the Weimar Republic to overcome the problems it faced and survive. The Weimar government itself took action to save the republic by making changes in the government, taking action to save the economy and introducing emergency powers. To prevent things getting out of control in times of crisis the President had the right to dismiss and dissolve the Reichstag and interfere in legislations. In August 1923 Gustav Stresemann was appointed Chancellor and this proved to be a fundamental turning point that set Weimar on the road to recovery, as he was prepared to actually face up to the country's problems and set about resolving them. He called off passive resistance and recommenced reparation payments, reduced the trade deficit by cutting down the government expenditure and also created a new currency. This new currency, the Rentenmark, immediately stopped hyperinflation and established a stable currency, creating a basis on which Weimar's economic predicaments could be internationally negotiated.
             External factors also played a part in the survival of the Weimar Republic. Sympathy was gained from the allies as a result of Stresemann's policies, this led to the Dawes Committee being set up to investigate Weimar financial situation. In 1924 the Dawes Plan was published, it designed the reparation payments in a realistic way that the economy could cope with but did not reduce the amount. Both Weimar and the Allies accepted the plan and it was a step forward regarding international relations and Weimar's domestic position. Investment from the U.S.A. followed soon after the Dawes Plan and Weimar was able to re-establish its industry.
             Despite the negative effects of hyper inflation the workers were actually better off as it created employment due to the increased levels of economic activity. Although Weimar played a principal role in the war, most of the resentment felt by the enemies was channeled towards the French and the allies rather than directly at Weimar itself.


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