The conditions of the Treaty of Versailles ordered the Germans to pay a hefty sum in reparations to the Allies. In 1921, because Germany could not pay, the French and Belgian troops invaded and inhabited the Ruhr to take goods and raw materials. During 1923 Germany printed more money to pay striking workers. Causing hyperinflation that resulted, wiping out the value of savings. The years 1924 to 1929 were known as the “Golden Years” Germany became progressively successful and peaceful. The United States lent Germany huge sums of money. The economy was rebuilt, unemployment was reduced and people began to feel secure. As a result, Germany was no longer the second most economically advanced nation in the world. The immediate economic consequences