The occupation of the Ruhr 1923. Flashcards
what started the occupation of the ruhr?
Germany was required to make a temporary reparations payment of £1,000 million. In March 1921 they failed to make this payment, as a result allied troops crossed the River Rhine and occupied Germany.
how many french troops were sent bc germany couldnt keep up with payment?
Germany managed to make a first payment of £50 million. However, Germany could not keep up with these payments and the French were determined to make Germany pay, 60,000 French and Belgian troops were sent to occupy the Ruhr.
why was the Ruhr the industrial heartland of Germany?
not only produced 80% of the nation’s steel and 71% of its coal but it also supplied the resources essential to industrial production elsewhere in the country.
how did the german GOV respond?
suspension of any further reparation payments an order of ‘passive resistance’. Some went further and engaged in acts of sabotage. Confrontation became inevitable when French troops attempted to round up and deport strikers. During these clashes some 150 Germans were killed.
