Occupation of Ruhr

• What was the main focus of this rapid revision session?

  The French occupation of the RAR
• Why was Germany forced to pay reparations after World War I?

  To compensate France and Belgium for damages
• How much in reparations did Germany have to pay after World War I?

  6.6 billion pounds
• Why did France and Belgium need the reparations from Germany?

  They had been invaded and needed to do the most repairs
• What was the German government's response when it refused to pay reparations by the end of 1922?

  They could not pay
• Why was the German Army unable to resist the French and Belgian troops during the occupation of the Ruhr?

  The German Army was weakened by the Treaty of Versailles
• What was the purpose of the German government's passive resistance strategy during the occupation of the Ruhr?

  To encourage German workers to go on strike
• What was one consequence of the German government printing money to pay worker wages during the occupation?

  It led to hyperinflation
• Why did the occupation of the Ruhr damage relations between Germany and France?

  People blamed the Weimar government, not just the French
• When did the occupation of the Ruhr finally end?

  August 1925
• How did the occupation of the Ruhr affect support for the Weimar government among the German middle class?

  It decreased support, as the middle class were hardest hit
• What were the main ways the German government responded to the French occupation of the Ruhr?

  • Passive resistance: German workers went on strike
  • Sabotage: Some products and machines were destroyed
  • Printing money: To pay worker wages, leading to hyperinflation
  • Propaganda: Posters blaming the French for the occupation
• What were the main outcomes of the French occupation of the Ruhr?

  • Damaged relations between Germany and France
  • Decreased support for the Weimar government, especially among the middle class
  • Increased support for extremist parties in Germany
  • Economic hardship and shortages for the German people
• What was the name of the German Chancellor who agreed a new deal to pay reparations, ending the occupation of the Ruhr?

  Gustav Stresemann
• If the German government had been able to pay the reparations in cash, would the French have still invaded the Ruhr?

  No, the French would not have invaded
• How did the French occupation of the Ruhr region impact the German economy?

  • Hyperinflation due to the German government printing money to pay worker wages
  • Shortages of goods and resources
  • Destruction of products and machinery through sabotage
  • Overall economic hardship and loss of savings for the German people
• What was the main reason the French and Belgian troops were able to occupy the Ruhr region?

  It was allowed by the Treaty of Versailles
• What were the strengths and weaknesses of the German government's response to the French occupation of the Ruhr?

  Strengths:

  • Passive resistance through worker strikes
  • Sabotage of French operations

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Printing money leading to hyperinflation
  • Propaganda not effective in maintaining public support
  • Inability to militarily resist the French and Belgian troops
• What was the main reason the French and Belgian troops invaded the Ruhr region?

  To take reparations by force
• How did the French occupation of the Ruhr impact the relationship between the German government and its citizens?

  • Decreased support for the Weimar government, especially among the middle class
  • Increased support for extremist political parties in Germany
  • Damaged trust in the government's ability to protect German interests
• What percentage of the needed taxes were coming in to pay for the German government's printing of money during the occupation?

  25%
• If the German government had been able to pay the reparations in cash instead of goods, how might the French occupation of the Ruhr have played out differently?

  • The French may not have invaded the Ruhr region
  • There would have been less economic disruption and hardship for the German people
  • The Weimar government may have maintained more public support
• What was the name of the industrial region in Germany that the French and Belgian troops occupied?

  The Ruhr
• How did the outcomes of the French occupation of the Ruhr impact the long-term stability of the Weimar Republic?

  • Decreased public support, especially among the middle class
  • Increased support for extremist political parties
  • Damaged relations with France, a key European power
  • Severe economic disruption and hardship for the German people
• What was the name of the German Chancellor who agreed a new deal to pay reparations and end the occupation of the Ruhr?

  Gustav Stresemann
• How did the German government's response to the French occupation of the Ruhr contribute to the economic problems faced by the Weimar Republic?

  • Printing money to pay worker wages led to hyperinflation
  • Passive resistance and sabotage disrupted industrial production and exports
  • Overall economic hardship and loss of savings for the German people
• How did the outcomes of the French occupation of the Ruhr impact the relationship between the German government and its citizens?

  • Decreased support for the Weimar government, especially among the middle class
  • Increased support for extremist political parties in Germany
  • Damaged trust in the government's ability to protect German interests
• What was the main purpose of the German government's propaganda posters during the occupation of the Ruhr?

  To get workers to support the government and blame the French
• What were the key factors that allowed the French and Belgian troops to successfully occupy the Ruhr region?

  • The German Army was weakened by the Treaty of Versailles
  • The German Army was already busy dealing with unrest elsewhere in Germany
  • The French and Belgian troops were more heavily armed than the German forces
  • The occupation was allowed under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles
• What was the total amount of reparations that Germany had to pay to France and Belgium after World War I?

  6.6 billion pounds
• How did the German government's response to the French occupation of the Ruhr contribute to the economic problems faced by the Weimar Republic?

  • Printing money to pay worker wages led to hyperinflation
  • Passive resistance and sabotage disrupted industrial production and exports
  • Overall economic hardship and loss of savings for the German people
• What was the main reason the French and Belgian troops invaded the Ruhr region?

  To take reparations by force
• How did the outcomes of the French occupation of the Ruhr impact the long-term stability of the Weimar Republic?

  • Decreased public support, especially among the middle class
  • Increased support for extremist political parties
  • Damaged relations with France, a key European power
  • Severe economic disruption and hardship for the German people
• What were the key outcomes of the French occupation of the Ruhr region for the Weimar Republic?

  • Damaged relations between Germany and France
  • Decreased support for the Weimar government, especially among the middle class
  • Increased support for extremist political parties in Germany
  • Severe economic disruption and hardship for the German people
• What percentage of the needed taxes were coming in to pay for the German government's printing of money during the occupation?

  25%
• If the German government had been able to pay the reparations in cash instead of goods, how might the French occupation of the Ruhr have played out differently?

  • The French may not have invaded the Ruhr region
  • There would have been less economic disruption and hardship for the German people
  • The Weimar government may have maintained more public support
• What was the name of the industrial region in Germany that the French and Belgian troops occupied?

  The Ruhr
• How did the German government's response to the French occupation of the Ruhr contribute to the economic problems faced by the Weimar Republic?

  • Printing money to pay worker wages led to hyperinflation
  • Passive resistance and sabotage disrupted industrial production and exports
  • Overall economic hardship and loss of savings for the German people
• What was the main purpose of the German government's propaganda posters during the occupation of the Ruhr?

  To get workers to support the government and blame the French
• What were the key factors that allowed the French and Belgian troops to successfully occupy the Ruhr region?

  • The German Army was weakened by the Treaty of Versailles
  • The German Army was already busy dealing with unrest elsewhere in Germany
  • The French and Belgian troops were more heavily armed than the German forces
  • The occupation was allowed under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles