Economic and Social issues 1919-24 Flashcards

1
Q

Why did Germany finance the war by printing more money?

A

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

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2
Q

How much debt did the Weimar Republic face in 1919?

A

1.5 billion marks

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3
Q

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

A

-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

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4
Q

Compare Germany’s unemployment figures in 1921 to Britains.

A

1921 – 1.8% compared to Britain’s 17%!

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5
Q

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

A

6 days

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6
Q

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

A

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

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7
Q

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

A

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

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8
Q

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

A

150,000 expelled
132 shot and killed

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9
Q

How did the occupation of the Ruhr lead to hyperinflation?

A

-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

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10
Q

What was the effect of rising food prices?

A

-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

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11
Q

What reforms were made for social welfare and employment rights?

A

-Law passed limiting the working day to a maximum 8
hours
-State health insurance system extended from employed
workers to wives, daughters and the disabled
-Aid for war veterans incapable of working because of
injuries
-Aid for war widows and orphans
-National Youth Welfare Act required local authorities to
set up youth offices for child protection and a right to
education

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12
Q

who benefitted most from hyperinflation (24)?

A
  • people in debt
  • renters
  • black marketeers
  • most farmers
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13
Q

who suffered most from hyperinflation?

A
  • pensioners
  • war widows
  • landlords
  • artisans and small business owners
  • unskilled workers
  • the sick
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