Ruhr

**DEFINITION** The Ruhr is an urban area in North Rhine-Westphalia Germany.

**SIGNIFICANCE** The significance is that in WWI it was Germany's central weapon factory. In March 1921, French and Belgium troops occupied Duisburg, according to the Treaty of Versailles formed part of the demilitarized Rhineland. The occupation of the Ruhr in 1923 by France and Belgium was done after the failure of the Weimar to pay reparations made during the Treaty of Versailles. However, this marked further recession and debt in the Weimar Republic.