The story of the great currency convulsion that paralysed a nation. Inflation is a familiar word these days but to those who lived through the fantastic German inflation of the 20s the word has a different meaning. By November 1923 the German mark had sunk to one million-millionth of its pre-war value. Currency of astronomical face values of millions and billions was whirling through the country, its purchasing power dwindling eventually from hour to hour. In the end no one would use it. Money was dead. This monetary madness was cured almost overnight - and by a psychological trick. But irreparable damage was done to the structure of German society. The way was opened for Nazism and the second world war. Written and introduced by William Guttmann Taking part: Dorothy Henkel Herbert Hochfeld Willy Derkow Andrew Shonfield Commentary spoken by SEAN BARRETT Film editor MARK ANDERSON Producer PATRICIA MEEHAN
