The Weimar Republic had successes and failures.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2023). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] There was free expression and so the arts flourished.
2. [1] New painting styles emerged like that of George Grosz.
3. [1] In architecture the Bauhaus style appeared.
4. [1] The German cinema with stars like Marlene Dietrich flourished.
5. [1] Night clubs and dance bands became very popular.
6. [1] The politicians of the Republic became associated with the unpopular treaty.
7. [1] It caused many people to dislike the Republic.
8. [1] Many people blamed the Republic for the Treaty of Versailles.
9. [1] Dislike of the treaty led to opposition to the Republic by Kapp.
10. [1] It turned right wing politicians against the Republic.
11. [1] It was the first treaty signed by the government of the Republic.
12. [4-5] Explanation: The Republic was blamed for signing the Treaty of Versailles, which many Germans found humiliating due to war guilt, reparations, and territorial losses, leading to widespread opposition from the public and right-wing politicians.
13. [1] Hyperinflation ended.
14. [1] The new currency worked well.
15. [1] Industrial production reached pre-war levels by 1928.
16. [1] People's wages went up and their working conditions improved.
17. [1] Reparations were being paid.
18. [1] The economy was built upon foreign loans.
19. [1] The problem of unemployment was never solved.
20. [1] Peasant farmers did not prosper as they were overproducing.
21. [1] The middle classes were not doing well.
22. [1] As soon as the USA recalled the loans, Germany was in trouble.
23. [1] German businesses went bankrupt and unemployment shot up.
24. [4-6] Argument for solving problems: Stresemann restored economic stability by ending hyperinflation, introducing the Reichsmark, and reducing government spending. Loans from the Dawes Plan stimulated industrial growth, improved wages, and facilitated reparation payments.
25. [4-6] Argument against solving problems: Germany's recovery was an illusion built on foreign loans, making it vulnerable to external economic shocks. Unemployment remained high, agriculture struggled with overproduction, and the middle classes did not always benefit, leading to collapse when US loans were recalled.