As an expert in historical economics and international relations, I have a deep understanding of the complexities surrounding war reparations and their impact on post-war economies. The question of how much Germany paid in reparations is a significant one, as it relates to one of the most contentious issues of the 20th century. The reparations that Germany was required to pay after World War I were a source of great economic and political debate, and their effects were felt for decades.
The Treaty of Versailles, signed on June 28, 1919, at the Palace of Versailles, was one of the peace treaties that ended World War I. The treaty placed significant blame on Germany and its allies for the war and required Germany to pay substantial reparations. The amount was determined to be 132 billion gold marks, which was roughly equivalent to US$33 billion at the time. This figure was arrived at after intense negotiations and was intended to compensate the Allied powers for the costs of the war and the damage caused to civilian populations.
However, the London Schedule of Payments in 1921, which was an attempt to clarify and possibly reduce the burden of the reparations, led to further complications. The schedule was an agreement between the Allied powers and Germany that outlined the payment plan for the reparations. It was an effort to make the payments more manageable for Germany by spreading them out over a longer period of time. Despite this, the economic impact on Germany was profound, leading to hyperinflation and a deep depression.
The reparations issue was a major factor in the rise of political instability in Germany during the interwar period. The burden of the payments was seen by many Germans as an unfair imposition that contributed to their economic hardship. This sentiment was exploited by Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party, who used it as a rallying cry to gain support and eventually power.
In 1929, the Young Plan was established, which further revised the payment schedule and reduced the total amount to be paid. The plan was named after the American banker Owen D. Young, who chaired the committee that proposed it. Even with these revisions, the economic strain on Germany was immense, and the global economic downturn of the Great Depression further exacerbated the situation.
It wasn't until the Laurence of La Tour du Pin Agreement in 1932 that a temporary halt to the reparations was agreed upon. This agreement was signed by representatives of Germany, the Allied powers, and the Bank for International Settlements. The halt was due to the economic crisis that Germany was facing, and it was intended to provide some relief.
Finally, with the rise of the Nazi regime in 1933, the reparations were effectively ended. Hitler refused to make further payments, and the issue became moot as Germany began to rearm and prepare for World War II.
In conclusion, the question of how much Germany paid in reparations is a complex one, with payments being made over a period of years and subject to various agreements and revisions. The economic and political consequences of these reparations were far-reaching and played a significant role in shaping the events of the 20th century.

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The 1919 Treaty of Versailles and the 1921 London Schedule of Payments required Germany to pay 132 billion gold marks (US$33 billion) in reparations to cover civilian damage caused during the war.read more >>