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?