Impact of Hyperinflation on Society: Stories of Devastation and Distrust

1. Use the number list below. How much is this bank note worth? Millions = Millionen

2. What were the effects of Hyperinflation? LO To assess the impact of hyperinflation on different groups within society

4. How were different people affected by Hyperinflation? The memories of a German writer. One day I dropped into a café to have a coffee. As I went in I noticed the price was 5,000 marks – just about what I had in my pocket. I sat down, read my paper, drank my coffee, and spent altogether about one hour in the café, and then asked for the bill. The waiter duly presented me with a bill for 8,000 marks. ‘Why 8,000 marks?’ I asked. The mark had dropped in the meantime, I was told. So I gave the waiter all the money I had, and he was generous enough to leave it at that. Bill Explain why the bill for the coffee went up

5. How were different people affected by Hyperinflation? From a woman who worked in a Christian Centre, helping the poor. The widow of a policeman was left with four children. She had been awarded three months of her late husband’s salary. By the time she received it the amount was only enough to buy three boxes of matches. Why was the women so badly affected by Hyperinflation? Der Polizist

6. How were different people affected by Hyperinflation? The German Health Minister, February 1923 This shocking decline in health conditions applies to the whole of Germany. In the country areas where farmers can feed themselves, conditions seem to be better. But in the towns…there has been a decided decline. Especially hard hit are the middle class, those living on small sums given annually, the widows and the pensioners who, with their modest incomes, cannot afford today’s prices…Death rates are rising…as are deaths from hunger. Which group were effected and in what ways

7. Discuss: What impact would the prize rises have on Workers, Businesses, Families EXT which group would be most effected by hyperinflation and why?

8. Now , using the information sheet, and page 13 in your textbook Complete the table on the following slide adding as much detail as you can for…. The Middle Classes Pensioners Rich Businessmen The Poor

10. Think about the effects on certain groups of people – like me! Recap Pensioners Add other people to the diagram and explain how each was affected. Farmers Effects of Hyperinflation Small Businesses

12. As the source clearly indicates Hyperinflation had a ‘devastating’ effect on Germany in 1923. In a matter of weeks, the value of the mark completely collapsed and at the same time, prices rocketed. Between July 1923 and November 1923, the price of a loaf of bread rose from 3,500 marks to 210,000,000,000 marks. They were ruined. Many middle class people also suffered, as indicated in the Source, a 'trauma’ because they had savings in the bank which became worthless. People were angry at the Weimar government who they blamed for the economic crisis. This increased the pressure on the Weimar Government and led to increased support for extremist political groups such as the NSDAP.

13. A key point has been made here, it is clear which group the writer is going to focus on. Clear reference made to the source As the source clearly indicates Hyperinflation had a ‘devastating’ effect on Germany in 1923. In a matter of weeks, the value of the mark completely collapsed and at the same time, prices rocketed. Between July 1923 and November 1923, the price of a loaf of bread rose from 3,500 marks to 210,000,000,000 marks. They were ruined. Many middle class people also suffered, as indicated in the Source, a 'trauma’ because they had savings in the bank which became worthless. People were angry at the Weimar government who they blamed for the economic crisis. This increased the pressure on the Weimar Government and led to increased support for extremist political groups such as the NSDAP. A number of key examples and specific evidence have been given here, show effective own knowledge Again the source has been used to support he point here Finally the writer explains the significance of hyperinflation, linking this to a growing distrust of the government