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Ruhr occupation
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French soldiers during the Ruhr occupation French soldiers during the Ruhr occupation
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Ruhr occupation

European history
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Article History
Quick Facts
Date:
1923 - 1925
Location:
Germany
Ruhr
Participants:
Belgium
France
Germany
Context:
Dawes Plan
World War I
Key People:
Wilhelm Cuno
See all related content

Ruhr occupation, (1923–25) occupation of the industrial Ruhr River valley region in Germany by French and Belgian troops. The action was provoked by German deficiencies in the coal and coke deliveries to France required by the reparations agreement after World War I. French occupation of Düsseldorf, Duisburg, and Ruhrort in 1921 was followed by French-Belgian occupation of the entire region in 1923. Passive resistance by German workers paralyzed the Ruhr’s economy and precipitated the collapse of the German currency. The dispute was settled by the Dawes Plan, and the occupation ended in 1925.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Maren Goldberg.