chapter 3 - economic and social problems in germany 1919-24

Question 1

Why did Germany finance the war by printing more money?

Answer 1

They believed they would win the war and then enforce high reparations on their enemies.

Question 2

How much debt did the Weimar Republic face in 1919?

Answer 2

1.5 billion marks

Question 3

Give a reason why the Republic didn’t increase taxes or reduce spending.

Answer 3

Alienated support for republic as anti-republicans would claim the tax is for reparations
Civil servants needed to be paid, and they didn’t want to make them redundant

Question 4

What was the time limit given to accept the terms of the Treaty of Versailles?

Answer 4

6 days

Question 5

postponements

Answer 5

jan 1922 - granted a postponement in jan and feb instalments

july - german gov asked for further suspension of payments due that year

Question 6

When did the French-Belgian troops occupy the Ruhr? Why?

Answer 6

January 1923 – because Germany fell seriously behind in its payment of reparations to France in the form of coal.

Question 7

What was Chancellor Cuno’s plan in retaliation to the occupation of the Ruhr?

Answer 7

Responded by stopping reparation payments
Ordered passive resistance (no one in the area would cooperate with the French)
Paramilitary groups to sabotage the French

Question 8

How many Germans were expelled from the Ruhr or shot by the French?

Answer 8

150,000 expelled

132 shot and killed

Question 9

ways ruhr occupation led to hyperinflation

Answer 9

Paying wages or providing goods for striking workers drained government finances
Tax revenue lost from closed businesses and unemployment
Germany had to import coal and pay for it from limited foreign currency reserves
Shortages of goods pushed prices up

Question 10

effect of rising food prices

Answer 10

There were food shortages as supplies were hoarded
Breakdown of law and order as there were food riots
Gangs began to steal from farmers
People bartered their possessions in exchange for vital supplies

Question 11

social welfare reforms

Answer 11

1919 -
limit work day to 8 hours
state health insurance
aid for veterans who could not work

1922-
national youth welfare act - right to an education etc

Question 12

winners of hyperinflation

Answer 12

People in debt, renters, black-marketeers, most farmers.

Question 13

losers of hyperinflation

Answer 13

Pensioners, war widows, landlords, artisans and small business owners, unskilled workers, the sick.

Question 14

hugo stinnes

Answer 14

winner of hyperinflation
owner of substantial businesses before 1923
built an empire that included 150 newspapers and magazines and interests in railways, banks and more