Stresemann’s actions were debated not simply in Germany,
but also across Europe.
Many people were divided on what his goals were: did he
want to contribute to building a strong Europe, was he simply
a traditional German nationalist or was he in fact
both?
Good European
Many of Stresemann’s actions left him open to attacks from
German nationalists, yet still he pursued these policies.
This includes Erfullungspolitik [fulfilment], meaning Stresemann
was prepared to accept the implementation of all Treaty of
Versailles clauses.
He also only pushed for minimal reforms related to Versailles, in order to keep
European peace.
The Locarno Treaty ensured that Germany would not gain back Western land, and had
only the possibility of making gains in the east. Payment of reparations caused German
right-wing outrage too.
Stresemann helped global relations by Germany gaining a permanent seat on the League of Nations Council, which he thought was needed to make
the League work.
Stresemann also did not make demands about strengthening Germany’s military, another
key demand of German nationalists.
German nationalist
However others argue that Stresemann’s apparent pro-
European actions were a ploy to regain German power.
Stresemann did not genuinely support Versailles
erfullungspolitik but feared war if Germany did not comply (shown in Ruhr occupation).
Fulfilment was German policy before Stresemann (started by Walther Rathenau) and it also
saw Germany gain a better deal.
The Dawes Plan increased the amount of time Germany had to pay reparations; the Young Plan
reduced the amount that they owed. Both actions hugely helped
Germany.
The Locarno Pact also helped Germany, securing its Western
borders (preventing attack from France) and gave them the chance to win back territory in
Eastern Europe.
Stresemann also agreed deals which removed Allied troops
from the Rhineland initially, and then all of Germany (by 1930).
Stresemann negotiated the removal of the Inter-Allied Military Commission from
Germany, which checked that Germany was complying with
Versailles’ military commitments.
However Germany was secretly rebuilding its military forces by training in Russia. This gained
him Reichswehr backing.
The actions that Stresemann took in international relations
also helped Germany.
He said that Germany would join the League of Nations, but only with a permanent
seat on the council. This gave Germany global influence and
a chance to raise issues of concern.
Good German and European?
Some historians argue that Stresemann was in fact a good
German and European, balancing demands of competing groups.
As a statesman, Stresemann inevitably played different groups against each other, something not unusual in international diplomacy.
Stresemann helped Germany:
• Foreign policy led to reparation changes (benefitting economy) and Allied troop withdrawal
• Decline in support for extremist parties up to 1929
Stresemann helped Europe:
• German membership boosted the League; Locarno stabilised European geography
Historians’ views
• Sally Marks Takes the view that Stresemann was a superlative liar, dispensing total untruths.
• Jonathan Wright: Stresemann hoped for a stable and peaceful international order because he understood Germany’s dependence on its great power partners. From his pragmatism there developed a strong commitment to European peace.
• Stephen Lee: Stresemann was neither a covert nationalist nor a Good European but a pragmatist who adapted to changed circumstances and, where he could, created new opportunities.