Attempts to Overthrow the Weimar Republic: Munich Putsch (SQA National 5 History): Revision Note

Summary 

In November 1923, Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party tried to seize power in Munich. Germany was in crisis after hyperinflation and the Ruhr conflict.

On 8 November, Hitler burst into a beer hall where the Bavarian leader Gustav von Kahr was speaking. Hitler claimed he would lead a “national revolution” and said local leaders must back him. The next day, Hitler and General Ludendorff led about 2,000 supporters on a march through Munich. The putsch failed. Hitler fled but the police arrested him. He was imprisoned for a short time.

Background to the Munich (Beer Hall) Putsch

• Germany faced a crisis in 1923

• Money was almost worthless

• French and Belgian troops were in the Ruhr

• Many people in Bavaria talked about overthrowing the government

Hitler and the Munich Putsch

• Hitler was the leader of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (the NSDAP or Nazi Party)

• He had studied the failed putsches launched by the Freikorps and the Spartacists

  • Hitler had learnt that a putsch needed the support of the military and the police to succeed

• Adolf Hitler worked with the Kampfbund and the NSDAP’s private army, the SA (Sturmabteilung), under Ernst Röhm

  • He also brought in General Erich Ludendorff, a respected military veteran

• Hitler hoped to copy Mussolini’s March on Rome

The events of the Munich Putsch

• On 8 November 1923, Hitler burst into the Bürgerbräukeller in Munich

  • He fired a shot, claimed a national revolution, and made Gustav von Kahr, General von Lossow, and Colonel von Seisser promise support while SA men ringed the hall

• After leaving the hall, those leaders went back on their promises

  • The Bavarian authorities stayed loyal to Berlin and told the police and army to stop the putsch.

• During the night, Röhm tried to seize key buildings

  • The plan was confused, communications were poor, and the army in Munich refused to join

• On 9 November, Hitler and Ludendorff led about 2,000 Nazis towards the Feldherrnhalle

  • The police blocked the route, shots were fired, and the march was broken up

  • Sixteen Nazis and four policemen died

The results of the Munich Putsch

• Police arrested Hitler and other leaders soon after

• In court, Hitler used the trial to gain publicity, attacked the Weimar government, and was found guilty of treason

• The judge sentenced Hitler to five years in prison

  • He only served about nine months in Landsberg Prison

• In prison, Hitler dictated Mein Kampf

  • He decided to seek power by legal means

• When released from prison, he rebuilt the NSDAP (Nazi party) with better organisation and a focus on winning elections