A bank note with a picture of a woman on it Inflation money 1923, business finance.

At the end of World War I, Germany was required to pay war reparations to the Allied powers. To do this, the government printed more and more money, causing the value of the Mark to plummet. Inflation spiraled out of control, and prices for goods and services rose dramatically. During the Weimar Republic in Germany (1919-1933), the country experienced a severe economic crisis, which led to hyperinflation and the devaluation of its currency, the German Mark. In November 1923, hyperinflation reached its peak. Prices for everyday goods skyrocketed, and people needed wheelbarrows full of money just to buy basic items. Banknotes were printed in increasingly large denominations, with values of millions, billions, and even trillions of Marks. Notgeld (emergency money) was a form of currency used in Germany during and after World War I, as well as during the hyperinflation crisis of the Weimar Republic (1919-1933). During World War I, the German government began printing more and more money to finance the war effort. This led to inflation and a shortage of coins and banknotes. To address this, local municipalities and private businesses began issuing their own forms of currency, called Notgeld. Notgeld came in various forms, such as paper bills, metal coins, and even stamps or tokens. They often featured unique designs and images, such as local landmarks, historical figures, or scenes from everyday life. Notgeld was intended to be a temporary solution to the currency shortage, and it was only accepted within a specific region or business. During the hyperinflation crisis of the Weimar Republic, Notgeld became more widespread and more creative. As the value of the German Mark plummeted, Notgeld denominations became increasingly absurd, with some featuring values in the billions and trillions of Marks. Notgeld was also used as a means of propaganda, with some bills featuring political slogans or imagery. In 1924, the German government introduced a new currency, the Rentenmark, which was backed by land and other tangible assets. This stabilized the economy and helped to restore confidence in the German currency.

The Weimar Republic was the period of German history from 1919 to 1933, during which Berlin was the capital city. The Weimar Republic was named after the city of Weimar, where the new German government was established after World War I. Berlin in the 1920s was a time of great cultural and social change. After World War I, Germany was in a state of political and economic turmoil, but in Berlin, there was a sense of excitement and freedom that attracted artists, intellectuals, and bohemians from all over Europe. The city became known for its vibrant nightlife, with nightclubs, cabarets, and jazz bars that were open all night long. People danced the Charleston and listened to jazz music, and there was a thriving underground culture that included everything from experimental theater to drag shows. At the same time, Berlin was a center for art and literature, with famous writers like Bertolt Brecht and Christopher Isherwood making their homes there. The Bauhaus movement, which sought to combine art and industry, was founded in Berlin in 1919, and the city became a center for avant-garde art and design. Berlin in the 1920s remains a cultural and artistic icon of the 20th century. During the Weimar Republic, Berlin was a center of cultural and artistic innovation. It was a city of contrasts, with thriving nightlife and a lively arts scene, but also poverty, unemployment, and political unrest. The city became known for its avant-garde art movements, such as Dadaism and Expressionism, and for its progressive and liberal social policies. Berlin was also a political battleground during the Weimar Republic. There were several different political factions vying for power, including the Social Democrats, the Communists, and the Nazis. In 1923, there was hyperinflation, which caused widespread economic hardship and political instability. As the economic situation in Germany was difficult, and there was political unrest as different factions vied for power. In 1923, there was hyperinflation, and people carried wheelbarrows full of money just to buy basic goods. The rise of the Nazi party, which would eventually lead to World War II, was also beginning to take shape in the 1920s.