1923, the Ruhr and hyperinflation
I can describe the effects of the 1923 hyperinflation crisis in Germany.
1923, the Ruhr and hyperinflation
I can describe the effects of the 1923 hyperinflation crisis in Germany.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- When Germany failed to pay reparations in November 1922, France and Belgium sent troops into the Ruhr Valley.
- German workers were ordered to stop work to prevent the soldiers from taking industrial goods as payment.
- Already suffering from inflation, the German economy was harmed by this loss of productivity.
- The Weimar Government printed money to support striking workers, flooding the economy and triggering hyperinflation.
- Hyperinflation wiped out middle-class savings, forcing many to barter for survival while others profited from the chaos.
Keywords
Goods - things for sale, or the things that you own
Passive resistance - the act of showing in a peaceful way that you oppose something, rather than using violence
Inflation - a general, continuous increase in prices
Hyperinflation - where the price of everything in a national economy goes out of control and increases very quickly
Common misconception
Hyperinflation affected everyone equally.
Some people, like businessmen who hoarded essentials to sell at inflated prices, profited during the crisis. Meanwhile, many middle-class Germans saw their savings wiped out and were forced to barter for survival.
To help you plan your year 11 history lesson on: 1923, the Ruhr and hyperinflation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 history lesson on: 1923, the Ruhr and hyperinflation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
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Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918–39 unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
crushed by the Freikorps
failed due to a workers’ strike
Hitler failed to overthrow the government