GCSE Germany - Munich Putsch

Friday 11 th November 2005 UNIT 2: The Rise of the Nazis: How was Hitler able to dominate Germany by 1934? Focus: Why were the Nazis unsuccessful before 1929 and successful after?
Today’s objective:
To evaluate the Munich Putsch and to make a judgement as to whether it was a success or a failure
Key words : Putsch - Trying to overthrow the government
Starter : Give two reasons why you think Hitler chose 1923 to attempt a putsch.

There are two interpretations (views) of the Munich Putsch
In this investigation you can decide which of the interpretations you most agree with.
View One
It was a failure for the Nazis.
Their putsch was a fiasco.
It was easily crushed and showed how powerless they really were.
View Two
It was a success for the Nazis.
The putsch itself may have failed but it launched the Nazis onto the national scene.
It made Hitler famous and was the main building block for the Nazis’ later success

Why did Hitler attempt a putsch in 1923?

What happened on 8 th November?
8 November 1923 a meeting being addressed by Gustav von Kahr, the Head of the Bavarian government, was suddenly interrupted by a Nazi demonstration
The hall was surrounded by SA men, and Hitler burst in brandishing a revolver. He announced that he was taking over the government of Bavaria.
The next stage, he said, would be a march on Berlin to take over the German government.
He tried to persuade Kahr to support him but he said nothing. Kahr was locked in a room, until he agreed to support the putsch.

What happened on 9 th November?
Hitler, Ludendorff and 3000 Nazis marched into Munich.
When they reached the city centre, they found the police and army waiting for them.
A shot rang out – no-one knows who fired first – and a hail of bullets swept the street from either side.
Hitler fell, dislocating his shoulder, he lost his nerve and fled the scene
16 Nazis and 3 policemen were dead
Ludendorff marched onwards until he was arrested.

The outcome!
It could be argued that the most successful part of the putsch was the trial!
Ludendorff was declared innocent
Hitler admitted that he was guilty of trying to overthrow the Weimar system of parliamentary government
He then set about showing how this was no crime as he was trying to restore German greatness.
Many Germans felt this was a convincing argument.
The trial gave Hitler a national audience.
Hitler was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment though he actually served only 9 months.
While in prison he wrote Mein Kampf which set out his ideas.

Task 1 : What can you learn from Source C about the organisation of the Munich Putsch?

Hitler and his fellow Nazis pose for a photograph in Landsberg prison. Rudolf Hess sits on his right.
Task 2:
Describe this picture
What does this photo tell you about prison life for the Nazis?
Why do you think it was like this?

Task 3 : Explain why Hitler believed that failing was actually beneficial to the Nazis

Task 4: Was the Munich Putsch a success or a failure? Complete the table (sheet) and write a conclusion Failure Success

Homework – Write a newspaper report describing the events of 8 and 9 the November interviewing 2 people. Due Friday 18th November The pro-Nazi interview should explain how the putsch showed the authority and leadership skills of Hitler and the strength of Nazi support.
Include
- a headline
- Description of events on 8 th and 9 th November
Give a background of Hitler
Explain you think Hitler chose this time to go for it
Explain why it failed
Explain why the Nazis say it didn’t fail
Include a picture
Make a judgement about the success or failure of the putsch The anti-Nazi interview should make it clear how Hitler only achieved support by violence and threats, and how he showed his cowardice in the end

GCSE Germany - Munich Putsch

by Malarvilie

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