What I did not realize until going back in time was how these German reparations are dragging on and on.
Armistice is signed in 1918, and reparations are agreed upon in late 1919. In 1920, the payment plans are put forth. By 1921, it's clear Germany can't repay in full. For the next 3-4 years, the entire calamity will stumble in fits and starts. Until the US gets involved in the mid-1920s (Dawes and Young Plans).
Even then, war reparations aren't completely paid back until 2010.
It reminds me a lot of the Greek situation in the 2010s. Three bailouts, several different rounds of negotiations, etc.
The market sentiment in 1921 was very bad for stocks. In fact, a week ago in 1921, Andrew Mellon (Treasury Secretary) suggested retail investors avoid stocks. This was covered in my post last week.
Sentiment is going to flip around 1923-1924 (once we clear the 1920 top) and only strengthen into 1929.