German recovery after the First World War was at first slow.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2022). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] The Dawes Plan gave Germany a massive loan.
2. [1] The Dawes Plan was a plan in 1924 to restart the German economy.
3. [1] The Plan was arranged by Charles Dawes/American banker.
4. [1] Stresemann negotiated the loan on behalf of the German government.
5. [1] The loan was 800 million marks.
6. [1] The loan helped pay reparation payments.
7. [1] The loan helped pay for public works.
8. [1] The Dawes Plan meant Germany only had to pay reparations which it could afford.
9. [1] France and Belgium agreed to stop their occupation of the Ruhr.
10. [1] Because of the Dawes Plan the German economy had recovered by 1928.
11. [1] The loan stopped in 1929 and this led to economic chaos.
12. [1] As a result of the Plan, the German economy was reliant on American loans.
13. [1] It did this because it was in real trouble and something had to be done.
14. [1] The impact of the French and Belgian occupation of the Ruhr.
15. [1] There was hyperinflation.
16. [1] High reparations made the problem worse.
17. [1] Money became worthless.
18. [1] The existing currency was in crisis.
19. [1] To stabilise Germany's economic situation.
20. [1] The German workers and pensioners were faced with high prices and could not afford food.
21. [Explanation L3] Germany introduced a new currency because it was suffering from terrible inflation. In response to Germany failing to pay reparations, France and Belgium occupied the Ruhr, taking what was owed to them in the form of raw materials and goods. The German workers went on strike and Germany's earnings went down. The German government started to print money, but this led to rapid inflation. Stresemann introduced a new currency to stabilise the economic situation.
22. [1] I think the Revolution was far more important to people because it changed things a lot.
23. [1] The Revolution led to the abdication of the Kaiser.
24. [1] The Revolution led to Germany becoming a Republic.
25. [1] The Revolution set up a weak government in Germany.
26. [1] The Revolution led to Germany becoming a democracy.
27. [1] The Revolution led to the Spartacists' bid for power.
28. [1] The Weimar government was hated because of the terms of the Treaty.
29. [1] Opposition to the Treaty led to the Kapp Putsch.
30. [1] Hatred of the Treaty led to Germans being willing to take part in passive resistance in the Ruhr.
31. [1] Hatred of the Treaty helped Hitler win support in the early 1930s.
32. [Explanation L3 (Revolution more important)] The Revolution of 1918 was very important for Germany. There were naval mutinies and then disturbances and rebellions all over Germany. They were important because they led to the Kaiser abdicating and Germany being declared a Republic with Ebert as Chancellor. This was opposed by extreme groups like the Spartacists who were communists. They tried to lead a revolution and overthrow the government which had to be rescued by the Freikorps. The Revolution of 1918 made fundamental changes to the way Germany was governed that had an impact right through the 1920s.
33. [Explanation L3 (Treaty reaction more important)] The reaction of people to the Treaty was obviously more important because it was responsible for many later events. This is because the Treaty was very unpopular, especially the reduction to Germany's armed forces and the fact that it was a 'Diktat'. This led to many disbanded soldiers joining the Freikorps, which then led to the Kapp Putsch. Kapp was against the Treaty and marched on Berlin and tried to take over the government.