How successful were the French attempts to make Germany pay respirations?

Answer 1

Er.. Do you mean REPARATIONS?

They had to pay 6.6 billion british pounds (132000million gold marks) with 2000million marks a year and 26%of all German Exports (mainly from the Ruhr).

It has been argued that, among other factors, this was a cause of the second world war, because of german grudges. in fairness, i would have been gruding towards britain and France because that reparation amount destroyed Germany, turned her citizens hungry and dying.

More Information: Germany in fact only managed to pay one full instalment under the policy of fulfilment. After this, a number of factors led to an inability to repay the next payment which led to the French occupation of the Ruhr. This occupation led to the policy of passive resistance and practically halted German resource reparations and detracted from their ability to repay monetary compensation. After this, hyperinflation occurred as the Germans tried to print off more money to repay the French and eventually the Dawes plan was introduced (1000million marks/year until 1929, when it would increase to 2500million/year ) to minimise German reparations to enable them to be able to pay off debts more realistically. This was maintained through the Great Depression and until Hitler's rise to power on the 30th January 1933

In reality, the main role the French played in making Germans pay was through maintaining its position in the Rhineland, the occupation of the Ruhr, Pressure placed on allies in the Genoa conference (insisted Germans should pay in full) and participation in the Dawes plan to maintain reparations. -- and to answer your question, the french were quite successful until the dawes plan and further in the locarno treaty and great depression as well as Hitlers removal of reparations.