Explain why Hitler attempted a putsch in 1923.

Authors Avatar

Sam Holloway

History Homework

The Munich Putsch Nov. 1923

1. Explain why Hitler attempted a putsch in 1923.

Hitler saw the year of 1923 to be an excellent year to overthrow the government he hated so much. His party, the Nazi's, had strong support and their paramilitary wing, the SA was large and ready for battle. Hitler predicted, correctly (as shown in his trial), that he had large popular support from the people of Germany due to the current failings of the Weimar Republic, the massive hyperinflation, the invasion of the Ruhr etc.

2. Briefly outline the events of Nov 1923.

The main events of the Nov 8-9th putsch took place in a place called the Burgerbraukeller, a large beer hall located on the south bank of the Isar river, about half a mile from the centre of Munich. On the evening of Nov 8 1923, the building was full with the political and social elite of Bavaria who came to listen to the State Commissioner Gustav von Kahr speak.

        At around 8pm Hitler drove to the Burgerbraukeller in his red Mercedes Benz and got out to meet with Putzi Hanfstaengl, who was supposed to act as a liason with foreign press. When Hitler got through the police cordan that blocked the entrance to unauthorised visiters. They were then joined by other putschists in the lobby of the beerhall.

        As Kahr continued his speech, Hitler and his other conspirators burst through the doors followed by about 25 SA me armed with pistols and machine-guns. Other SA men were surround the building, blocking access and occupying the facility. Hitler plowed through the crowd to the speakers platform and when they refused to be quiet fired a single shot into the ceiling. Hitler then shouted; "The national revolution has broken out in the whole of Germany. This hall is occupied by 600 armed men, and no one may leave it. Reichwehr and State police are marching under our banner from their barracks; a national German and Bavrian government is being formed; the government of Knilling and the Reich government are disposed."

Join now!

        Hitler then pushed the speakers into a side room and informed them that the Bavarian government was disposed and they would be part of a new Reich government. Hitler then returned to the main hall where the people gathered were getting restless and made a magnificent speech, referred to by one audience member as " a rhetorical masterpiece".

        At around 9.40pm, Luddendorff, one of Hitlers fellow putschists, arrived and persuaded the speakers to support Hitler, which they then announced to the crowd they would do. It was now that Hitler made a terrible mistake, he left the beerhall to take ...

This is a preview of the whole essay