Hyperinflation is when prices go up ten, a hundred times or even more in a short space of time

The French did not believe that Germany could not pay so invaded and took over the area, to make the money up themselves.

French and Belgian troops occupied the area as a result of Germany not paying their second instalment of reparations.

German government order the workers not to obey any of the orders given by the occupiers (passive resistance).

Over one hundred men died as a result of this, and many lost their jobs as they refused to work anyway.

When a government prints too much paper money it then looses value very quickly, causing rapid rises in prices

Poor people suffered, but the greatest casualties were the richer Germans – those with savings. Savings that might have bought a house in 1921, by 1923 would not even buy a loaf of bread!

This caused huge issues with so much money in circulation, prices and wages rocketed, but people soon realised that this money was worthless.

Borrowers, such as businessmen, landowners and those with mortgages, found they were able to pay back their loans easily with worthless money.

To deal with reparations and the Ruhr crisis the government simply printed more money. It seemed an attractive solution to paying off its debts

People on wages were relatively safe, because they renegotiated their wages every day.