Where did the French invade in 1923?

The French invaded the Ruhr region of Germany in January 1923.

The Invasion of the Ruhr

In January 1923, French and Belgian armies undertook a significant military occupation of the Ruhr, Germany's primary industrial heartland. This action was a direct response to Germany's failure to meet its war reparation payments as stipulated by the Treaty of Versailles following World War I.

Key Details of the Invasion

• Location: The invasion targeted the Ruhr region, a crucial industrial area in western Germany renowned for its extensive coal mines and steel production.
• Date: The operation commenced in January 1923.
• Invading Forces: Approximately 60,000 soldiers from both the French and Belgian armies were deployed to the region.
• Primary Objective: The main goal of this invasion was to enforce Germany's reparation obligations. French forces aimed to:
  • Directly extract the unpaid reparations.
  • Assume control over vital industries, particularly those related to coal and steel.
  • Seize natural resources to compensate for the outstanding debts.

German Response

The German government of the time, the Weimar Republic, chose not to offer armed resistance. Instead, it opted for a strategy of passive resistance, instructing workers throughout the Ruhr to go on strike. While this widespread industrial action was intended to impede French efforts to exploit the region's resources, it also had severe consequences for the German economy, contributing significantly to a period of hyperinflation.

For additional information on the economic challenges faced by Germany during this period, historical resources like those from the BBC Bitesize archives can provide further context.

Summary of the Ruhr Occupation

To provide a clear overview of this pivotal event: