13-Oct (ZeroHedge) — Today, instead of the traditional market observations by the Chairman of the Fermentation Committee, we share with readers a critical historical lesson from Art Cashin, focusing on an event that took place 89 years ago, which as Cashin says “one of the most devastating economic events in recorded history and an important backdrop to Europe today. It all began with the efforts of a few, well intentioned government officials.” Many will know what we are talking about already…
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Originally, on this day (-2) in 1922, the German Central Bank and the German Treasury took an inevitable step in a process which had begun with their previous effort to “jump start” a stagnant economy. Many months earlier they had decided that what was needed was easier money. Their initial efforts brought little response. So, using the governmental “more is better” theory they simply created more and more money.

But economic stagnation continued and so did the money growth. They kept making money more available. No reaction. Then, suddenly prices began to explode unbelievably (but, perversely, not business activity).

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PG View: The hyperinflation of the Weimar Republic is unquestionably Germany’s defining economic moment, much like the Great Depression is ours. It goes a long way toward explaining why Germany continues to balk at further bailouts, leveraging, bond buying and expansive liquidity measures; they understandably fear the inflation. Keynsian thinking says governments should be printing and spending like mad in the face of grim growth prospects and an impending banking crisis, but German’s recall all-to readily that when über-easy monetary policy gets out of control, things can go from bad to catastrophic in a heartbeat.

Cashin’s piece is indeed an important history lesson we all should take heed of. For further insight into the Weimar hyperinflation, be sure to read The Nightmare German Inflation.