The Ruhr Crisis Flashcards
What was the Ruhr Crisis?
The Ruhr Crisis was the occupation of the Ruhr region in Germany by France and Belgium between 1923 and 1925. It happened because Germany failed to pay the reparations instalment at the end of 1922.
Why did the Ruhr occupation occur?
1) By the end of 1922, Germany stated that they would miss the next reparation payment that was due.
2) In response, the French and Belgians took control of the area because it was Germany’s main industrial area.
3) They were then able to take goods or resources from the Ruhr as a form of reparations.
4) The terms of the Treaty of Versailles meant this was legal.
What were the consequences of the Ruhr occupation?
1) The Weimar Republic responded by printing more money to pay the reparations bill and the striking Ruhr workers.
2) Printing money led to hyperinflation.
3) It was one of the causes of the Nazi Munich Beer Hall Putsch, 1923.
4) The Dawes Plan, 1924 brought about the end of the hyperinflation problem and Ruhr occupation.
How did the workers in the Ruhr respond to the occupation?
The government told the workers to not fight the French and Belgium soldiers. Instead they were told to use ‘passive resistant’, which meant that the workers should refuse to work or co-operate with the foreign troops and in return the government continued to pay their wages.
