supporters. However, Hitler was mistaken because he had left the Putsch too
late. By November 1923, the worst of Hyperinflation was over and the Germans
had faith in Gustav Stresseman, as Chancellor, to solve their problems.
The Putsch failed because Hitler was misguided and didn’t see the wider picture.
He was too focused on Bavaria and he didn’t think things through. Hitler’s plan
was to March on Berlin, gathering support, just like Mussolini had marched on
Rome in 1922. Hitler was naïve and shortsighted, he assumed too much. He
thought that he could just take over Berlin and everyone would just follow him
when nobody even knew whom he was.
Hitler felt he had to act because he had heard that Ritter Von Kahr was
threatening to make Bavaria a republic. This would ruin Hitler’s plans.
On the 8th November 1923, Hitler panicked. He burst into the Beer Hall because
he believed that Kahr was going to announce a Republic. 600 SA surrounded the
hall while Hitler put a gun to Kahr’s head and forced him to support Hitler’s
revolution. Hitler also got General Luddendorff to offer his support. Hitler then
let Kahr go after he promised to come back in the morning. He was naïve and he
didn’t think that Kahr would warn the police or army about his plans. Hitler was
impulsive and he didn’t think about the consequences of his actions.
On the morning of 9th November Hitler began the Putsch with 2,000 instead of
55,000 men. His uncoordinated plans, poor organisation and impulsive acts left
no time for clear instructions. This meant that so many Nazis turned up either
late or confused. The result of this was that the police killed 16 Nazis and injured
over 100 people, including Hitler. However, Hitler and Luddendorff were later
arrested and charged with treason.
However, it can also be argued that in the long term the Putsch didn’t really fail.
He gave Hitler widespread publicity and his name was spread all over Germany.
He learnt from his mistakes, and realised that the only way to seize power was
through elections. 10 years later, he would be voted leader of Germany.
