Political Disorder 1919-23: the occupation of the Ruhr Flashcards
Where is the Ruhr?
A region located in the west of Germany near Dortmund.
Why was (and is!) it an important region in Germany?
It is an industrial region in Germany, which housed many coalfields which were vital to Germany’s industrial production and, therefore, its ability to pay reparations. Germany would sometimes pay reparations “in kind”, in the form of coal and goods. It was rich in resources and a highly industrialised area.
What did the Treaty of Versailles establish in terms of reparations from Germany?
The Germans would have to pay £6.6 billion in reparations or had to pay in payment in kind.
Who received the reparation payments (in instalments)?
Britain, France and Belgium (former allies and victors)
When did Germany fail to pay its reparation instalments?
The Weimar government’s main crisis occurred in 1923 after the Germans missed reparations. payment late in 1922. This set off a chain of events that included hyperinflation. The annual instalments were equal to 2% of Germany’s annual output.
What is meant by “payment in kind”? (The Treaty stated that instalments could be paid in kind).
The use of a good or service as payment instead of cash. Where debts can be paid is resources rather than money.
What is meant by “occupation” (in the sense of land, not work)?
When someone takes possession of land that is not their own - in a military sense
Someone sle or another country taking control/ invasion without the consent of the country and territory in question - usually involves military presence.
Why did French & Belgian troops enter the Ruhr? Give at least two reasons!
In response to the lack of payment of reparations and began to take what was owed to them in the form of raw materials and goods. They would extract wealth/resources from Germany. Because they saw the Treaty of Versailles as empowering them - permitting them to take a payment in kind. They took from the Ruhr because it was one of the wealthiest and resource rich regions in Germany and it was close to the border with France and Belgium.
When did the Ruhr occupation start and when did it end?
Started: January 1923
Ended: 25th August 1925
How did the French & Belgians occupied the Ruhr, including the violence?
In January 1923 French and Belgian troops entered the Ruhr (quite legally under the ToV) and began to take what was owed to them in the form of raw materials and goods. The French reacted harshly to the Germans going on strike and killed over 100 workers and expelled over 100,000 protesters from the region.
What was the German response to the Ruhr occupation (people and the government?
The Government ordered the workers to go on strike. That way there would be nothing for the French to take away. They said that they would pay the workers that went on strike so no resources were made so they printed more money. This led to hyperinflation.
What is Passive resistance?
- A way of opposing the government without using violence especially by refusing to obey laws.
How and why did the occupation end?
The Hyperinflation Crisis reached its peak in Germany. The Dawes Plan was agreed upon, which lowered German reparation payments to a more sustainable level. The French accepted the outcome of the Dawes Plan and troops left the Ruhr, ending the occupation. Passive resistance by German workers paralyzed the Ruhr’s economy and precipitated the collapse of the German currency. The dispute was settled by the Dawes Plan, and the occupation ended in 1925.
What were the stages of the Ruhr Occupation?
- Germany fails to pay its reparation instalments by 1922
- Under ToV, allies entered to ‘payment in kind’, so French and Belgian troops enter the wealthy Industrial German region of the Ruhr in 1923
- Weimar government orders ‘passive resistance’ by workers. German Industrial production is dramatically reduced, which impacts the German economy badly
- Germany responds to the situation by printing more money
- As the printing of money is not backed by a good economy/Industrial production, this causes hyperinflation
