– For the purposes of extending the harbour at the mouth of the Ruhr, as desired by the Prussian Government, Ruhrort and Meiderich are incorporated into Duisburg. 1908 – The Zechenverband is founded on 22 January as an association of employers in the Ruhr. 1912 – Miners strike across the whole of the Ruhr. In response William II sends in the troops. The workers give up in the face of the imperial threat. 1912 – In Mülheim an der Ruhr, the Kaiser-William (today: Max-Planck) Institut für Kohlenforschung (institute for research into coal) is founded. 1913 – Under the influence of the work of Karl Imhoff on the cleaning-up of the Ruhr, the Ruhrreinhaltungsgesetz (law concerned with cleaning up the Ruhr) is introduced. At the same time, the work of the Ruhrtalsperrenvereins (the dams) is regulated by the Ruhrtalsperrengesetz (law concerned with the damming of the Ruhr). Both laws contribute significantly in ensuring the water supply of the growing conurbation. 1914 – Opening of the Rhine-Herne-Canal, which becomes the most-used inland canal in Europe. It makes a connection between the Rhine at Duisburg and Herne, from where it connects to the Dortmund-Ems-Canal. 1914–1918 – First World War, in the 'Hunger Winter' of 1916–17 shortages in the supply of food in Germany become chronic. The inhabitants of the Ruhr suffer especially. 1919 – In the aftermath of the January KPD uprising, large-scale socialist uprisings in the Ruhr result in "armed struggles" between miners and the Freikorps. 1920 – Ruhr Uprising following the Kapp-Putsch. The general strike called in response to the Putsch leads to a more military struggle involving the Red Ruhr Army. Initially engaged against the Freikorps, latterly they also engage the regular army. 1921 – French and Belgian troops occupy Duisburg (and Düsseldorf) on 8 March, in response to Germany defaulting on the reparation payments laid down by the Versailles Conference. 1923 – On 10–11 January, the occupation was extended from Duisburg to the rest of the Ruhr (Occupation of the Ruhr). In Duisburg in October, separatists call for independence for the "Rheinische Republik", but by November their efforts are brought to an end by the occupying troops. The financing of the resistance the Ruhr occupation by the German Government Cuno is one of the reasons for the impending hyperinflation and the Cuno strikes. The Ruhr industrialist Fritz Thyssen assists the NSDAP with a massive financial sum. 1925 – August/September: