How did the Weimar Republic survive the
crises of 1923?
Learning objective – to explain why
Germany faced so many problems in
1923.
I can describe the
impact
of
the
different problems
that Germany faced
in 1923.
Grade D
I can explain the
different problems
that Germany faced
in 1923.
Grade B
I can explain and make
links
between
the
different
problems
Germany faced in 1923.
Grade A and A*
Starter – How much was a loaf of
bread in Germany in 1923?
Starter – How much was a loaf of
bread in Germany in 1923?
201 billion marks
What were the crises of 1923 in Germany?
The French occupation of the Ruhr.
Hyperinflation
The Munich Beer Hall Putsch
What was the Ruhr?
The Ruhr was the industrial
heartland of Germany. It
contained all the key
industrials and much of its
raw materials which was
crucial in paying of the
reparations set in the Treaty
of Versailles.
Why did the French occupy the Ruhr?
Although the Germans paid £50 million of its
reparations in 1921, it quickly fell behind with
its due payments. Ebert tried to negotiate more
time but the French, having to pay the USA for
its own war debts, were not interested. They
decided to occupy the Ruhr and take to take
goods and services what they felt was owed to
them.
What was the German reaction to the
French occupation of the Ruhr?
The
German
government
responded with a policy of
passive resistance – meaning a
general strike in the Ruhr. This
meant the French would get
nothing but also that industrial
production in Germany halted
causing the economy to
collapse.
What caused hyperinflation?
The German government did not have the
money to pay for passive resistance in the
Ruhr. So they decided to print more money.
When this happens the value of money goes
down and prices go up.
This led to hyperinflation when money
becomes worthless and wages have to be
taken home in wheelbarrows and a price of a
loaf of bread is 201 billion marks.
What was the impact of hyperinflation?
People who had worked and saved hard lost everything.
Wages could not keep up with the rocketing prices.
Some businessmen did well and many people turned to the
black market.
Most people blamed the Weimar Republic because they had
signed the Treaty of Versailles agreeing to the reparations. In
reality, inflation was caused by the Kaiser who excessively
borrowed money to pay for the First World War.
What caused the Munich Beer Hall
Putsch?
Political extremism was rising throughout Germany since
the end of the First World War.
Passive resistance in the Ruhr was called off. Many Germans
felt that this was giving in to the French.
Political extremism was encouraged by some state
governments, such as Bavaria, who contained a number of
right wing groups.
What happened during the Munich Beer
Hall Putsch?
In November 1923, the
little known Adolf Hitler
and the Nazi Party
attempted to seize power
in Munich, the capital city
of Bavaria.
It was easily crushed by
the army and police but
was a clear warning of the
rising political violence in
Germany.
How did the German government try to deal with the crises of 1923?
Task – for each picture, annotate details about each separate crisis and how
the Weimar government dealt with it.
Task
This visual hexagon activity
helps you make links
between the different parts
of the crises Weimar
Germany faced in 1923.
In pairs, make links between
each hexagon and write two
sentences for each link
explaining them fully.
Extension task
Plenary – a touch of Scrabble
What are the three key words
from this lesson that sums up
your learning?
Which word has the highest
value if you used in a game of
Scrabble?
Compare with the person
next to you. Which word has
the highest value?