How did the Weimar government respond to the occupation of the Ruhr valley in 1923?

The Weimar government responded to the occupation of the Ruhr valley in 1923 in several ways:

1. Passive Resistance: The Weimar government encouraged the workers in the Ruhr valley to carry out 'passive resistance'. This meant that they refused to cooperate with the French and Belgian troops. They did not obey orders, go to work or produce goods. This was a peaceful form of protest, but it had a significant impact on the economy as production levels fell.

2. Printing Money: To support the workers who were on strike in the Ruhr, the government decided to print more money. This was to pay the workers and keep the economy going. However, this led to hyperinflation, as the more money that was printed, the less it was worth. This caused prices to rise dramatically and the German mark became virtually worthless.

3. Dawes Plan: In 1924, the Weimar government agreed to the Dawes Plan. This was a plan proposed by the USA to help Germany pay its reparations. It involved the USA lending money to Germany, which Germany would use to pay reparations to France and Britain. These countries would then use the money to pay back their war debts to the USA. This helped to stabilise the German economy and ended the occupation of the Ruhr.

4. Stresemann's Policies: Gustav Stresemann, who became Chancellor and Foreign Minister in 1923, also played a key role in responding to the occupation. He ended the policy of passive resistance and focused on negotiating with France and Belgium to end the occupation. He also introduced a new currency, the Rentenmark, to end hyperinflation.

These steps helped to end the occupation of the Ruhr and stabilise the Weimar Republic, but they also led to significant economic and political challenges.