Ruhr Occupation
Which two countries sent troops into the Ruhr in January 1923?
France and Belgium.
What does hyperinflation mean?
An extremely rapid rise in prices, causing money to lose its purchasing power.
What happened to the purchasing power of people’s cash savings?
It was largely wiped out as the mark lost value.
In which city did Hitler attempt a putsch in 1923?
Munich, in Bavaria.
What were reparations?
Compensation Germany was required to pay after the First World War under the Treaty of Versailles.
Why did French and Belgian troops occupy the Ruhr?
Germany had fallen behind with reparations deliveries. The occupiers aimed to take coal and industrial goods as payment.
What happened to the value of the German paper mark during 1923?
It collapsed: many more marks were needed to buy the same goods.
Why were pensioners on fixed incomes badly affected?
Their payments did not keep pace with rising prices, so they could afford fewer essentials.
On which two dates did the Munich Putsch take place?
8–9 November 1923.
Who became Chancellor in August 1923 and ended passive resistance?
Gustav Stresemann.
What was passive resistance in the Ruhr?
Workers refused to work for or cooperate with the occupying forces; strikes disrupted production.
Why did workers rush to shops as soon as they were paid?
Prices rose so quickly that their wages could buy less if they waited.
How could a person with a fixed debt in paper marks benefit?
They could repay the same number of marks using money that was worth far less.
What did Hitler do at the beer hall on 8 November?
He interrupted a meeting, declared a revolution and forced Bavarian leaders at gunpoint to promise support.
Put these in order: Munich Putsch; Ruhr occupation; end of passive resistance.
Ruhr occupation (January 1923) → end of passive resistance (September 1923) → Munich Putsch (November 1923).
Give two reasons why the occupation damaged Germany’s economy.
Industrial production fell, reducing income and tax revenue; the government also paid striking workers. Accept loss of access to coal/industrial goods.
Explain why printing more money did not make Germany richer.
It did not create more goods. With more money circulating but limited goods, prices rose and each mark bought less.
Why were wage earners still vulnerable even if their wages rose?
Prices could rise faster than wages, so their real income and living standards fell.
Explain two reasons why the putsch failed.
Bavarian leaders withdrew their forced support and ordered resistance; police and army did not support Hitler, and police stopped the march. Accept poor organisation/failure to secure communications with explanation.
Explain why Hitler thought 1923 was a good moment to attempt a putsch.
Hyperinflation and the Ruhr crisis weakened confidence in Weimar. He hoped to exploit nationalist anger, including anger at the end of passive resistance, and expected support in Bavaria.
Explain how passive resistance worsened inflation.
The government paid striking workers while production and tax income fell. It printed more money to meet costs, so more money chased fewer goods and the mark lost value.
Name the currency introduced in November 1923 and explain how it helped.
The Rentenmark. Its supply was limited and it was backed by mortgages on land and industry, helping restore confidence and stabilise prices.
Explain how hyperinflation damaged support for the Weimar Republic.
People who lost savings or struggled to buy essentials blamed the government. This weakened trust in democracy and could make extremist promises more attractive.
Explain two ways the failed putsch helped Hitler in the longer term.
His trial gave him national publicity; he used prison time to dictate Mein Kampf; he later pursued power through elections and political organisation. Accept any two explained.
Explain one economic and one political reason why 1923 was a crisis for Weimar.
Economic: occupation, falling production and money-printing intensified hyperinflation, destroying purchasing power. Political: the Munich Putsch attempted to overthrow the government, showing extremist opposition. Both points need an explained consequence.