The German Hyperinflation Crisis of 1923
Hyperinflation in Germany was the rather topical subject of a recent talk given by popular historian, Dave Smith, to the Bognor Regis town Twinning Association. This was, however, German Hyperinflation in 1923. The illustrated talk, aided by cartoons, newspaper articles and photographs of Germany at the time, gave a sense of the scary times when prices doubled every hour, until a loaf of bread might cost a billion Marks. Paper money was so worthless that people used it as wallpaper or even to make dresses! Dave Smith’s well-researched talk also went into the causes of this crisis, resulting from massive debts built up in World War I, and hefty war reparations. These devastating problems ultimately contributed, along with financial reverberations from the Wall Street Crash, to leaving the way open for the rise of Hitler and the outbreak of World War II, something predicted by some wise people two decades earlier at the end of World War I.
Since the talk, members have also enjoyed a sociable Games evening, which was held in various houses across Bognor. Games on offer ranged from Shuffleboard, to card games, team games and Telestrations, where drawing abiliy is not a requirement, fortunately! Food and refreshments on offer were very much appreciated by all.
