What triggered the Ruhr Crisis in December 1922?

The Ruhr Crisis in December 1922 was primarily triggered by Germany's failure to pay the reparations that had been imposed on it following World War I, specifically those outlined in the Treaty of Versailles. After the war, Germany was required to compensate the Allied powers for the damages caused, but the country's economic conditions worsened, making it difficult for them to meet these financial obligations.

In response to Germany’s default on its reparations payments, France and Belgium decided to occupy the industrial region of the Ruhr in January 1923, with the aim of seizing control of resources and production to compensate for the unpaid reparations. This occupation escalated tensions in Europe and had significant repercussions for Germany, including economic strain and contributing to hyperinflation.

Understanding this context is crucial, as the Ruhr Crisis exemplifies the broader thematic issues in post-World War I Europe concerning economic stability, reparations, and national sovereignty. The other responses, such as Germany's denial to join the League of Nations, the rise of hyperinflation, or the invasion of Poland, do not directly pertain to the immediate cause of the crisis. While these factors may have been influenced by or contributed to the situation, the fundamental trigger was indeed Germany's inability to