2. Causes, events and results of Munich Putsch 1923

2. Causes, events and results of Munich Putsch 1923

1. CAUSES

   • Hitler believed that the moment had come to topple over Weimar Government. 3 reasons:
     • 1. Hyperinflation: miserable lives in Rhur. Membership of NSDAP grown to 55,000 mainly around Munich and the capital of Bavaria and in S Germany = hoped to make a national impact
     • 2. Hitler sensed that new government under Stressemann had just called off passive resistance in the Rhur - act quickly before unrest dies down
     • 3. Stressemann = cracking down on extremist groups. Hitler could see a crack down on right wing groups coming next.

2. EVENTS

   • 8th of Nov. = meeting of 3000 officials of Bavarian government
     • Hitler burst in w/ 600 SA troops
       • announced the takeover of the government
         • SA troops began taking over official buildings
   • Weimar government opposed him the next day
     • SA only had 2000 rifles (much less than the local police and armed forces but he continue fighting)
       • 18 people died
       • Hitler managed to escape in a car and left the others to face the police

3. RESULTS

   • Short term
     • Hitler and 3 other members were put on trial
       • found guilty - treason
         • sentenced to 5 years in Landsberg Castle
     • NSDAP was banned
       • Munich Putsch = defeat and humility for HItler.
     • Hitler used his trial to get publicity for his views
       • gained popularity for himself and his ideas
         • every word was published in the newspapers
   • Long term
     • Hitler impressed the judges
       • He and his accomplices got off very lightly
         • Only given 5 years in prison (should've been life sentence)
     • Ban of NSDAP was lifted in 1925
       • NSDAP won 32 seat in the Reichstag 1924 election
     • Hitler only served 9 months of his sentence in great comfort of the castle
       • He wrote Mein Kanpf
     • Because of the failure of the Putsch, Hitler realised that he needed a new approach to take over Germnay