Occupation of the Ruhr

1. Occupation of the Ruhr
Learning Objectives:
• To understand why the Ruhr was occupied and to analyse
the impact this had on Germany in 1923
Starter
What was the significance
for Germany of the area
marked on the map
opposite in green and
orange?

2. In pairs each select a poster to analyse by
clicking on it
J’Y SUIS – J’Y RESTE
Once these posters have been studied click the button below
Comparative study

3. Occupation of the Ruhr
LO: Analyze the
impact this had
on Germany in
1923
This is representation of a
British cartoon from Punch,
1923.
This is representation of
a German Poster, 1923.
J’Y SUIS – J’Y RESTE

4. Occupation of the Ruhr
What can you see?
LO: Analyze the
impact this had
on Germany in
1923

5. Now, click on the
sections of the
poster that you
want to find out
more about.

6. Occupation of the Ruhr
Females are often used to
represent countries. The
country represented here
is France.
How is she being
portrayed?
What is she holding?
What is the significance of
these objects?
LO: Analyze the
impact this had
on Germany in
1923

7. Occupation of the Ruhr
What type of
buildings can you
see here?
What is happening
to the buildings?
How important do
you think these
buildings were to
Germany after the
war?
LO: Analyze the
impact this had
on Germany in
1923
What may the military
helmet represent?

8. Occupation of the Ruhr
The caption says -
‘Hands off the Ruhr!’
What do you think the Ruhr is and who do you believe it
belongs to?
LO: Analyze the
impact this had
on Germany in
1923

9. Occupation of the Ruhr
LO: Analyze the
impact this had
on Germany in
1923
J’Y SUIS – J’Y RESTE What can you see?

10. J’Y SUIS – J’Y RESTE
What you can see?
Now, click on the
sections of the
poster that you
want to find out
more about.

11. Occupation of the Ruhr
J’Y SUIS – J’Y RESTE
Here I Am – Here I Stay
How determined is the lady to stay where she is?
How do you know?
LO: Analyze the
impact this had
on Germany in
1923

12. Occupation of the Ruhr
Who do you think
that this lady
represents?
What helped you
to make up your
mind?
LO: Analyze the
impact this had
on Germany in
1923

13. Occupation of the Ruhr
What is meant by the term
‘Blockade’?
LO: Analyze the
impact this had
on Germany in
1923
Who is using a blockade and why may they be
doing this?

14. Occupation of the Ruhr
What is the lady sat
on?
Does this give you a clue as to what this area was
famous for?
LO: Analyze the
impact this had
on Germany in
1923

15. J’Y SUIS – J’Y RESTE
The cartoon on the left is British and
the poster on the right is German.
Why do you think that they give different interpretations of the
invasion and occupation of the Ruhr by the French?

16. Here I Am – Here I Stay
Look again at the British cartoon.
How successful and justified does the occupation
look according to this source?
Clue: Look at the expression, the pose, the title, the defences….

17. J’Y SUIS – J’Y RESTE
Hands Off The Ruhr !
Look again at the German Poster.
How successful and justified does the occupation
look according to this source?
Clue: Look at the expression, the character, the title….

18. J’Y SUIS – J’Y RESTE
Which interpretation of this event do you think is
the most accurate?
Explain your answer carefully.

19. Occupation of the Ruhr
LO: Analyze the
impact this had
on Germany in
1923
In 1921 a
figure was
finally set for
German
reparations.
What was the
amount?
£6600 million

20. Occupation of the Ruhr
LO: Analyze the
impact this had
on Germany in
1923
The Weimar Republic struggled to meet the
Reparations as agreed in the Treaty of Versailles.
Germany paid the first instalment in 1922. By 1923 the government
was bankrupt and unable to make its payments.

21. Occupation of the Ruhr
LO: Analyze the
impact this had
on Germany in
1923
The French and Belgian governments responded in January
1923 by sending in troops to the Ruhr, the main centre of
Germany's coal, iron and steel production.
What were France’s
reasons for invading
the Ruhr?
1. Reparation Money
2. Damage Germany
3. Pressure from French
people
4. Benefit of owning
Ruhr
5. Buffer Zone

22. Occupation of the Ruhr
The Weimar Government convinced the workers to
strike – passive resistance.
This had major consequences for the economy.
The French and Belgian
occupiers brought in their own
workers.
However, the Weimar
Government still had to pay the
wages of the striking German
workers.
LO: Analyze the
impact this had
on Germany in
1923

23. Occupation of the Ruhr
LO: Analyze the
impact this had
on Germany in
1923
They printed more money.
Inflation
Prices rise
(currently 4% in Hong Kong)
Continued to print money (up to
24 hours a day)
Hyperinflation