Unit 8: Fascism and Nazism: Weimar Republic

The Beer Hall Putsch, also known as the Munich Putsch, was a failed coup attempt by the Nazi Party leader Adolf Hitler — along with General quarter master Erich Ludendorff and other Kampfbund leaders — to seize power in Munich, Bavaria, during 8–9 November 1923. About two thousand men marched to the centre of Munich where they confronted the police, which resulted in the death of 16 Nazis and four policemen.

After two days, Hitler was arrested and was charged with treason. From Hitler's perspective, there were three positive benefits from this attempt to seize power unlawfully. First, the putsch brought Hitler to the attention of the nation. His arrest was followed by a 24-day trial, which gave him a platform to publicize his nationalist sentiment to the nation. Hitler was found guilty of treason and he was sentenced to five years. The second benefit to Hitler resulted in the production of his book Mein Kampf, which was dictated to his fellow prisoner, Rudolf Hess. Hitler was released on 20 December 1924, having served only nine months. The final benefit that accrued to Hitler was the insight that the path to power was through legitimate means. Revolution and anarchy was not the answer to the pursuit of power. Accordingly, the most significant outcome of the putsch was a decision by Hitler to change NSDAP tactics, which would demand an increasing reliance on the development and furthering of Nazi propaganda.

From Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beer_Hall_Putsch

"In hyperinflation, a kilo of potatoes was worth, to some, more than the family silver; a side of pork more than the grand piano. A prostitute in the family was better than an infant corpse; theft was preferable to starvation; warmth was finer than honour, clothing more essential than democracy, food more needed than freedom."

From the book of Adam Ferguson: “When Money dies”
http://www.claseshistoria.com/entreguerras/periodocrisisalemania.htm

1.       Read the text about the Putsch of Munich and answer:

a.       Translate the underlined words.

b.      Who were the leaders of the coup d’Etat?

c.       The Spartacist Uprising was a communist rebellion. What was the political ideology during the Putsch?

d.      The main leaders were imprisoned. Which three benefits did this situation provide Hitler with? (Summarize them in three sentences. Do not copy. Use your words)

2.       Read the Adam Ferguson's text and try to explain it.

3.       Why did the German economy change since 1924?

4.       Why did the Crash of New York affect Germany so much?