The Munich Putsch and the lean years 1923-29 Flashcards
What were the events of the Munich Putsch?
8NOV 1923: Hitler lead 600 SA troops into a Bavarian Government (local government branch of weimar) meeting and demanded the government to support him through threats.
SA head Rohm took control of the local police and army HQ
-but main army barracks remained under government control.
-Ludendorff released 3 hostaged Bavarian leaders who withdrew support when freed
9-11NOV 1923: Hitler marched into Munich with 1000 SA troops and 2000 volunteers. Did not get as much support as he wanted: state police loyal to government and townspeople indifferent. State police met them. Hitler outgunned- only had 2000 rifles
What were the causes of the Munisch Putsch 1923
LONG TERM CAUSES
Resentment of the ToV and November Criminals
Thought that the Weimar Republic was fundamentally weak
Bavarian gov eg Von Kahr disliked Weimar and allowed SA violence
MEDIUM TERM CAUSES
Hitler wanted to copy Missoulinis attack in 1922 where he overthrew a democracy in a dictatorship in Italy
Nazis were angered by French occupation of Ruhr 1923 and Stressemen calling of passive resistance
Because of the fragility of Weimar, Hitler thought people would support his putsch
What was the result of the state police meeting Hitler on his march in Munich?
16 Nazis killed
3 Policemen killed
Lundendorff and Rohm arrested
-Hitler fled and hid in a friends house
Hitler was found and arrested for high treason
What were the consequences of the Munisch Putsch
SHORT TERM CONSEQUENCES
Hitler was sent to Landsberg prison for 5 years (server 9 months)
Nazi party was banned and Hitler was not allowed to speak in public till 1927
LONG TERM CONSEQUENCES
Hitler used his trial as publicity for Nazis by giving exposure to nazi ideas, which would be quoted in newspapers as part of his defence speech
Hitler realised he had to use legitimate means to gain power
What was “Mein Kampf”
A book written by Hitler in prison, outlining his political objectives.
Mostly about Lebensraum and his beliefs about the inferiority of Jews
Due to Weimars success, what did the Nazi party have to do to gain power?
Take part in democratic elections
Hitler told the Nazis to “hold their noses” through this as he was disgusted by democracy
How did the 1924 and 1928 elections go for the Nazis?
1924: only 32 seats
1928: dropped to 12
How did Nazi membership grow over 1920-23 due to HItlers publicity
Membership was
1,100 in 1920
and
55,000 in 1923
What was the membership in the Nazi part from 1925-29
1925: 27000
1929: 130,000
What was the 1926 Bamberg conference?
A meeting called by Hitler to resolve tensions between northern and southern groups of the Nazi party
How was the Nazi party reorganised after Hitlers imprisonement?
Hitler reasserted himself as leader. He expanded the Nazi party onto a international level. Each region of Germany had a gauleiter to lead that division of Nazis.
Hitler grew the SA to make them appear strong, however they were difficult to control
Why were there tensions between the northern and southern side of the Nazi party?
Northern side stressed the socialist ideas of the 25-point-programme
Southern side stressed the nationalist ideas of the 25-point-programme
Why did Hitler carry out the Munisch Putsch
By 1923, the Nazi party had 55,000 members and was stronger than ever before.
The Weimar Republic was in crisis due to hyperinflation.
In September 1923, the Weimar government had called off the general strike, and German nationalists were furious with the government.
Hitler thought he would be helped by important nationalist politicians in Bavaria.
Hitler had a huge army of SA members, but he knew he would lose control of them if he did not give them something to do.
Hitler hoped to copy Mussolini - the Italian fascist leader - who had come to power in Italy in 1922 by marching on Rome.
