To what extent did the Dawes plan precondition the setting of the great depression during the period 1923-29?
Author(s): Anshul Yemul
Abstract:
The Dawes Plan, initiated in 1924, aimed to stabilize Germany’s economy post-World War I by restructuring war reparations through international loans. Initially successful, it temporarily alleviated economic distress but has been criticized for fostering conditions that contributed to the Great Depression. This paper explores the interplay between the Dawes Plan and the global economic collapse, highlighting how unsustainable borrowing and speculative investments in the stock market led to instability. While some argue that the Plan exacerbated economic inequalities and influenced protectionist policies, others suggest that the underlying weaknesses in the U.S. economy, including reckless financial practices and wealth disparity, played a more critical role in the onset of the Great Depression. Ultimately, this analysis underscores the complexity of economic interrelations in the early 20th century, revealing that while the Dawes Plan had significant implications, it was not solely responsible for the Great Depression.
Anshul Yemul. To what extent did the Dawes plan precondition the setting of the great depression during the period 1923-29?. Int J Hist 2024;6(2):193-195. DOI: 10.22271/27069109.2024.v6.i2c.311