World War I reparations

The reparations were a series of payments the German state was forced to make following its defeat during World War I. These came in a variety of forms, including coal, steel and agricultural produce.

The impact of the reparations was widespread. The economic depression that they created in Germany helped to pave the way for Adolf Hitler. In Britain meanwhile the large amounts of free coal flooding the market, undercut the native coal industry. This also caused massive economic hardship, which was probably the principal cause of the 1926 General Strike.

See also : World War I