1921 - 1924 Flashcards
(62 cards)
What immediate economic effect did the reparations have on Germany?
Strained the economy and contributed to growing national debt.
How did reparations contribute to hyperinflation in 1923?
The government printed more money to meet payments, devaluing the currency.
What social impact did reparations have on ordinary Germans?
Widespread poverty, unemployment, and loss of savings due to inflation.
How did reparations affect political stability in Germany?
Increased support for extremist parties like the Nazis and Communists due to resentment of the Weimar Republic.
What international crisis was triggered by Germany’s failure to pay reparations?
The French and Belgian occupation of the Ruhr in 1923.
How did the reparations affect Germany’s relations with the Allies?
Caused tension and mistrust; some Allies pushed for enforcement, others for revision.
What was a long-term effect of reparations on German foreign policy?
Contributed to a desire for revenge and revision of the Treaty of Versailles.
Why did the Allies set such a high reparations figure?
To punish Germany for WWI and to help pay for the massive damage caused during the war, especially in France and Belgium.
What was the response of France and Belgium to Germany’s failure to pay?
They occupied the Ruhr industrial region in January 1923 to seize goods and raw materials as payment.
When were the German reparations officially announced?
May 1921
What was Germany’s response to the Ruhr occupation?
The government ordered passive resistance—workers went on strike and refused to cooperate with the occupying forces.
What were the economic consequences of the passive resistance policy?
Production in the Ruhr stopped, worsening the economic crisis and triggering hyperinflation.
How did the failure to pay affect German public opinion?
Increased anger toward the Treaty of Versailles and the Weimar government for failing to protect national interests.
What international plan was introduced to resolve the crisis after the second payment failure?
The Dawes Plan (1924), which restructured Germany’s payments and involved American loans.
What major economic crisis did the Invasion of the Ruhr directly lead to?
Hyperinflation in Germany.
How did passive resistance contribute to hyperinflation?
The government printed money to pay striking workers, reducing the value of the German mark.
What was the impact of hyperinflation on German citizens?
Savings became worthless, prices soared, wages couldn’t keep up, and basic goods became unaffordable.
Which groups suffered the most from the hyperinflation crisis?
Middle-class savers, pensioners, and fixed-income earners.
How did the Ruhr crisis affect German industry?
Industrial output in the Ruhr region dropped dramatically due to occupation and strikes.
What was the political impact of the Ruhr crisis on the Weimar Republic?
It damaged the government’s reputation and increased support for extremist parties like the Nazis and Communists.
How did the crisis affect international relations?
Created tensions between Germany and France; led to international pressure for a solution.
What plan was introduced in response to the crisis to stabilise Germany?
The Dawes Plan (1924), which rescheduled reparations and brought US loans to Germany.
When did French and Belgian troops withdraw from the Ruhr?
1925, as part of the Dawes Plan agreement.
What was the Ruhr region, and why was it important?
It was Germany’s industrial heartland, rich in coal, iron, and factories — vital for reparations.
