The Munich Putsch

In 1923, the Nazis had built up some support and tried to seize control of Germany. In November, Hitler tried to take control of the local branch of the Weimar Republic, the Bavarian Government (the Munich Putsch).

Long-term causes

The long term causes for the Munich Putsch were: resentment against the Treaty of Versailles and its clauses, hatred of being ‘stabbed in the back’ and they thought that the Weimar Republic was fundamentally weak.
The medium term causes for the Munich Putsch were: that Hitler wanted to copy the example of Mussolini in Italy. In 1922, Mussolini led the right-wing Fascist Party in overthrowing democracy and setting up a dictatorship.

Immediate causes

The immediate causes for the Munich Putsch were: that the Nazis were angered by the French occupation of the Ruhr in 1923. The Putsch was triggered by Stresemann calling off passive (non-violent) resistance.
Rohm had introduced Hitler and Ludendorff and this helped to trigger the Putsch.
Because of this and the fragility (could be easily damaged) of the Weimar Republic in 1923, Hitler assumed the German people would support his Putsch.

Events of the Putsch, 8th November 1923

On the 8th November 1923, Hitler and 600 SA troops entered a meeting of the Bavarian government in Munich.
- Threatening the government leaders, Hitler forced the government to support him.
The head of the SA, Röhm, took control of the local police and army headquarters.
- But Ludendorff (the general who told the Kaiser to abdicate in World War One) secretly let the government leaders go.

Events of the Putsch, 9-11th November 1923

On the 9th November 1923, Hitler marched on Munich with 1,000 SA troops and 2,000 volunteers.
Hitler wanted to make himself the President of Germany.
State police met the Nazis. Shots were fired. 3 policemen and 16 Nazis were killed. Ludendorff and Röhm were arrested.
- Hitler fled and hid at a friend’s house.
On 11th November 1923, Hitler was discovered and arrested for high treason (crime of betraying one’s country).

Consequences of the Munich Putsch

In the short term, it looked like the Nazis had failed but in the long term, Hitler successfully used events to his advantage.

Short-term consequences

In the short term, it looked like the Nazis had failed.
- Hitler was sentenced to prison for five years (he only served about 9 months) in Landsberg prison.
- The Nazi Party was banned and Hitler was not allowed to speak in public until 1927.

Long-term consequences

In the long term, Hitler successfully used events to his advantage.
- Hitler used his trial to give the Nazis publicity.
As the newspaper reporters would quote his defence speech, Hitler gave exposure to Nazi ideas.

Mein Kampf

In prison he wrote his bestseller, Mein Kampf, which outlined his political objectives.
- Most importantly, the need to destroy democracy, the need for Lebensraum (to expand German territory to house the population), and his beliefs about the 'inferiority' of the Jews.
- Hitler realised he needed to reorganise the Nazi party to gain success.

1The Weimar Republic 1918-1929

1.1World War One

1.1.1WW1

1.1.2The Weimar Republic

1.1.3Early Challenges to Weimar

1.1.4Reparations & the Ruhr

1.1.5Weimar Recovery

1.1.6Weimar Living Standards

1.1.7Weimar Culture

1.1.8End of Topic Test - WW1 & Weimar

1.1.9Grade 9 - The Weimar Republic

2Hitler's Rise to Power 1919-1933

2.1Early Development of the Nazi Party

2.1.1Hitler & the Beginnings of the Nazi Party

2.1.2End of Topic Test - Start of the Nazi Party

2.2The Munich Putsch & the Lean Years

2.2.1The Munich Putsch

2.2.2The Lean Years, 1923-1929

2.2.3End of Topic Test - Putsch & Lean Years

2.2.4Grade 9 - Hitler's Rise to Power

2.3The Growth of Support for the Nazis

2.3.1The Impact of the Great Depression

2.3.2End of Topic Test - Great Depression

2.4How Hitler Became Chancellor

2.4.1Article 48 & Political Turmoil

2.4.2von Papen & Hindenburg's Pact

2.4.3End of Topic Test - Chancellory

2.4.4Grade 9 - How Hitler Became Chancellor

3Nazi Control & Dictatorship 1933-1939

3.1Creating a Dictatorship, 1933-1934

3.1.1The Rise of Hitler

3.1.2End of Topic Test - Dictatorship

3.2The Police State

3.2.1The Police State

3.2.2Repression & Concentration Camps

3.2.3The Nazis & Religion

3.2.4End of Topic Test - Police State

3.2.5Grade 9 - Dictatorship and Police State

3.3Controlling & Influencing Attitudes

3.3.1Propaganda & Censorship

3.3.2Nazi Art & Culture

3.3.3Church Opposition & Social Conformity

3.3.4Youth Opposition & the July Plot

3.3.5End of Topic Test - Controlling Attitudes

3.3.6Grade 9 - Controlling Attitudes

4Life in Nazi Germany 1933-1939

4.1Life in Nazi Germany

4.1.1Women in Nazi Germany

4.1.2Youths in Nazi Germany

4.1.3Employment & Living Standards

4.1.4End of Topic Test - Life in Nazi Germany

4.2The Persecution of Minorities

4.2.1Nazi Racial Beliefs

4.2.2The Persecution of the Jews

4.2.3The Death Camps

4.2.4End of Topic Test - Persecution

4.2.5Grade 9 - Life in Nazi Germany

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