March 1921
1-7 March
During the London Conference, negotiations are to take place on the demands for reparations. The negotiations are terminated, however, on 7 March when German Foreign Minister Simons refuses British Prime Minister Lloyd George’s demand to accept the terms of the Paris accords and then leaves the conference.
[Overesch/Saal, p. 137]
8 March
After the Reich government’s rejection of the reparation payments decided upon in Paris, France occupies Ruhrort, Duisburg, and Düsseldorf.
[Kolb, p. 46]
11 March
Thuringia adopts a provisional constitution.
[Overesch/Saal, p. 137]
20 March
The referendum envisaged in the Treaty of Versailles on the fate of Upper Silesia results in victory for Germany and defeat for Poland. Nearly 60% of votes cast are in favor of remaining in the Reich’s territory.
[Kolb, pp. 46-47]
22-29 March
During the so-called “March Action”, the KPD attempts to bring the “Chemical Triangle” Halle-Merseburg-Leuna under its control and to arm the workers there, thereby inducing an uprising in all parts of the region. The uprising is part of the Comintern’s “theory of the offensive” and is only made possible thanks to the change in party leadership in February 1921 from Paul Levi to August Thalheimer. With no prospect of success, the uprising is violently suppressed by the Reichswehr.
[Wirsching, p. 13]
23 March
Compulsory military service is legally abolished and the army is limited to 100,000 and the navy to 15,000 men.
In Hamburg, riots are sparked by Communists. All port operations come to a standstill. [Overesch/Saal, p. 138-139]
24 March
The national government declares a state of emergency in Greater Hamburg and the Province of Saxony.
[Overesch/Saal, p. 139]