1923, the Ruhr and hyperinflation
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe the effects of the 1923 hyperinflation crisis in Germany.
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.
Teacher tip
Historical hot seat: one pupil acts as a German citizen (middle-class, worker, etc.) during hyperinflation. Others ask questions about how their life is affected, exploring multiple viewpoints.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The Spartacist Uprising of 1919 was led by Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht, who were inspired by the 1917 __________ Revolution in Russia.
Q2.What was one role of the Freikorps in early Weimar Germany?
Q3.In which year was the Kapp Putsch?
Q4.Why did the army refuse to intervene during the Kapp Putsch?
Q5.Match the following events with their outcomes:
crushed by the Freikorps
failed due to a workers’ strike
Hitler failed to overthrow the government
Q6.What evidence suggests that the Weimar Republic remained vulnerable during its early years?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.French and Belgian troops occupied the Ruhr in January 1923 to collect __________ by seizing coal and goods.
Q2.The economic crisis in Germany in 1923, marked by rapidly rising prices and the devaluation of currency, is known as ...
Q3.What does the term 'passive resistance' refer to in the context of the Ruhr occupation?
Q4.Starting with the earliest, place the following events in the correct chronological order.
Q5.What controversial financial side effect of hyperinflation has sparked debate among historians?
Q6.While hyperinflation affected many groups in Germany, it was especially devastating for the __________ class.
To help you plan your 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 11 history lesson on: 1923, the Ruhr and hyperinflation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
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.