The Ruhr Crisis- viewed from the German perspective

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Avery “Mano del Diablo” Rodriguez

Mr. Jones 3rd A

Weimar Executive Briefing

 

To: Chancellor Wilhelm Cuno

From: Avery Rodriguez, Secretary of Defense

December 8th, 1923. Weimar, Germany.

Situation Overview

People of Germany, as you are aware this past month we were a little late on our shipment of lumber to our French neighbors. Alas, due to our beleaguered economy we have been forced to pay in more ways than simply with money; our natural resources themselves must now be used to quench the imperialistic thirst of our French friends. Because of this, tensions between our nations are high. It may also be that our recent “vacations” to Russia have made our French friends suspicious. All aside, upon being late for our scheduled shipment of lumber a force of French and Belgian troops proceeded to invade the Ruhr Region, which is rich in natural resources. Many of the German residents of the area have fought back, some by denying the French these resources while others use guns and death. The situation has escalated into a bloody conflict, which we wish to end as quickly and with as little harm as possible.

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Problem 1: Major inflation of the German mark.

The war reparations and destructions from the conflict have created a major source of stress for Germany’s already weakened economy. As a result, copious amounts of money have been printed to deal with the large amount of debt. The extreme use of this tactic has resulted in the German mark becoming close to worthless. The solution to this problem, my friend, is simple. If we are to stop this hyperinflation and increase the value of the German mark, then we must stop the presses; no more money can mindlessly be printed. ...

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