Troops from France and Belgium advanced into the Ruhr area in early January. This move was a direct response to Germany's failure to adhere to the payment terms set out in the Treaty of Versailles, which concluded World War I. The Treaty mandated that Germany pay substantial reparations to the Allied countries, aimed at compensating for the damages inflicted during the war. However, the economic turmoil faced by Germany in the early 1920s made it increasingly challenging for the Weimar Republic to meet these obligations.

The occupation involved around 60,000 French and Belgian troops, who primarily aimed to seize control of the Ruhr's industrial output, which was crucial to the German economy. The Ruhr region was one of the most industrious in Germany, rich in coal, iron, and steel production. The occupation was met with fierce resistance from German workers who organized strikes and acts of passive resistance, leading to a struggle between the occupying forces and the German populace.

As resistance mounted, the German government declared a policy of passive resistance, encouraging workers in the Ruhr to stop any cooperation with the occupiers. This led to significant economic disruptions, including the closure of factories and denial of access to essential resources, further deteriorating Germany's economy and leading to hyperinflation. The events of the Ruhr occupation increased animosities not just between Germany and the occupying nations but also among the German populace, contributing to the rise of nationalist sentiments and political extremism in the years that followed.