The Munich Putsch and lean years

Question 1

What was the Munich Putsch 1923?

Answer 1

It was an armed revolt intended to overthrow the Weimar Republic.

Question 2

What were the long term reasons for the Munich Putsch?

Answer 2

From1918-1923 there were many reasons for the Munich Putsch- such as stab in back, reparations and the loss of Germany’s colonies. Amongst some Germans there was deep resentment of the Weimar Republic, which created support for the nationalist parties.
The Bavarian state government did not like the Weimar Republic and shared the same views as the NSDAP.

Question 3

What were the medium term causes for the Munich Putsch?

Answer 3

From 1921 to 1922 Hitler and the NSDAP were heavily influenced by a right winged party in Italy .

Question 4

What were the short term reasons for the Munich Putsch?

Answer 4

During 1923, hyperinflation in Germany reached it’s peak. Things that cost 100 marks in 1922 cost 200,000 billion marks by 1923. Buying everyday goods became almost impossible. Peoples savings became useless.
- In 1923 French troops entered the industrial area of Ruhr and took over Germany’s business . When German workers resisted they were arrested, imprisoned or even deported.

Question 5

What happen in 1923 due to the French troops invading?

Answer 5

This showed that the Weimar government were weak and unable to solve theses problems. Hitler used this to advantage and made a bid for power.

Question 6

Who was present at the Munich putsch?

Answer 6

Gustav Von Kahr- the leader of the state government of Bavaria, he was the main speaker.
Von Seisser- the head of the Bavarian police
von Lossow- the head of the German Army in Bavaria

Question 7

What happened during the Munich Putsch?

Answer 7

• Hitler burst in, supported by 600 SA members and declared that he was taking over the sate of Bavaria and aimed to march to Berlin to overthrow the Weimar government.
• At gunpoint, Hitler demanded the Kahr, seisser and Lossow should support him. Overpowered by Hitler they were forced to agree to it.
• Hitler released the victims and the next morning 9 NOVEMBER, gathered to launch their attack on the streets of Munich.
• It became clear that the three Bavarian leaders had withdrawn their support and had decided to put down any uprising.

Question 8

How many supporters did he have?

Answer 8

1,000 SA members

2,000 volunteers

Question 9

What did Hitler assume?

Answer 9

He assumed that there would be support among the local people and officials. He was to be disappointed.
Most of the townspeople remained indifferent and the army stayed loyal to the state government. Hitler was outgunned.

Question 10

How many people were injured?

Answer 10

14 of Hitler supporter

4 policemen

Question 11

Why wasn’t the rebellion a success?

Answer 11

They were out numbered and the rebellion descended into chaos:

• Most of the rebels scrambled for refuge
• Ludendorff, Rohm and Streicher were all arrested.
• Hitler fled the scene in a car, then hid at the house of a friend but was later arrested.

Question 12

What were the short term consequences of the Munich Putsch?

Answer 12

Ludendroff was found not guilty
-Hitler and three others were found guilty of treason and sentenced to five years
The NSDAP were banned
- In the shirt term, the Munich Putsch was a defeat for Hitler.

Question 13

What were the overall consequences of the Munich Putsch?

Answer 13

• The ban on the NSDAP was lifted in February 1925.
• Hitler used his trial to get national publicity for his views
• Hitler used the time in prison to write a book ‘Mein Kampf, which contained his political ideas and became an inspiration of the Nazi party
• Hitler realized that he needed a new strategy to gain power in Germany. He needed to build a party with nationwide support and use democracy to win power.

Question 14

What were Hitlers racists views from Mein Kampf?

Answer 14

• Hitler believed that the German race (Aryan) was destined to rule the world.
• He said there was a Jewish conspiracy to undermine Aryan rule

Question 15

What were Hitlers other views from Mein Kampf?

Answer 15

-Nationalism- Reviving the power of Germany by reversing the Versailles Treaty. He openly spoke about the idea that Germany should expand and to do that the must invade land from Russia to produce food to feed the German nation.
-Socialism- using the wealth of industry and land to benefit German working people not rich landowners.
Totalitarianism- throwing off democracy, which Hitler believed was weak and putting power in the hands of the states.
-Traditional German Values- such as string family value, clear female and male roles.

Question 16

When was Hitler released from prison?

Answer 16

Nine months after his sentence.

Question 17

When was the ban of the NSDAP lifted?

Answer 17

The ban was lifted on 16 February 1925

Question 18

What did the failure of the Munich putsch show Hitler?

Answer 18

The failure of the Munich putsch showed Hitler that he couldn’t rely on violence to take control of Germany. He had to be elected to power. Therefore he made the Nazi party more organized.

Question 19

Who was Philipp Bouhler?

Answer 19

Appointed as party secretary

Made sure Nazi party was organized

Question 20

Who was Franz Schwarz?

Answer 20

APPOINTED PARTY TREASURER

Question 21

How was the party organized?

Answer 21

Like a mini state, with Hitler as the leader and departments for all aspects of government such as finances.

Question 22

How was the rest of Germany divided?

Answer 22

Was divided into 35 regions , one for each constituency of the Weimar Republic.
Local leader was rarely appointed

Question 23

Who was Gregor Strasser?

Answer 23

Powerful leader in the North of Germany

Question 24

Who was Joseph Goebbels?

Answer 24

Rose to prominence in the Rhineland

Question 25

How did Hitler pay for this?

Answer 25

To pay for this Hitler overhauled party finances. He raised money from wealthy industrialists who shared the same views of Hitler.
Eventually the Nazi party received loans form big businessmen.

Question 26

What did the Munich putsch teach Hitler?

Answer 26

It taught him the importance of a totally loyal group of bodyguards and he didn’t trust the SA.

Question 27

Why didn’t he trust the SA?

Answer 27

Many were violent thugs and difficult to control.

While Hitler was in prison the SA had become loyal to Ernest Rohm

Question 28

What steps did Hitler take to tighten his control of the military forces?

Answer 28

He replaced the Rohm as leader of SA. Rohm was forced to find work abroad
-He then set up a new party security group, the SS. It was a smaller group with specially selected members so that they can be trusted to act as Hitler’s bodyguards

Question 29

When was the Bamberg conference?

Answer 29

1926

Question 30

What was the Bamberg conference consist ?

Answer 30

By early 1926, there was a split in the Nazi party.

Hitler had called a national; conference of the Nazi party to address the split.

Question 31

Why was there a split in the Nazi party?

Answer 31

Some part activists, such as Strasser and Goebbels were based in northern urban industrial areas, like berlin. They emphasised the socialist part of national socialism. They stressed benefits for workers and attack on businessmen
-Other party leaders like Hitler were in the south, more rural areas of Germany. They emphasised the nationalist part.

Question 32

What did the conference consist of?

Answer 32

Northern leaders such as Strasser and Goebbels were allowed to put their views forward.
-But Hitler made his own views clear and made great effort to win Goebbels over. He did

Question 33

What was the impact of the Bamberg conference on the Nazi party?

Answer 33

Hitlers control was now clear.

The socialist principles were weakened, this gave Hitler more freedom to adopt any policies he liked