The Kapp Putsch was a pivotal 1920 coup attempt against the Weimar Republic led by Wolfgang Kapp and General Walther von Lüttwitz. It involved the Freikorps, particularly the Marinebrigade Ehrhardt, and aimed to reverse the Treaty of Versailles' terms, restore the monarchy, and halt disarmament. The putsch's failure, due to a general strike and military neutrality, highlighted the Weimar Republic's challenges and the power of civilian resistance.
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Kapp and Lüttwitz orchestrated the Kapp Putsch in an attempt to undo perceived injustices of the Treaty of Versailles
Formation and Controversy
The Freikorps, formed by demobilized soldiers after WWI, played a controversial role in post-war Germany
Nationalism and Anti-Communism
The fiercely nationalistic and anti-Communist beliefs of the Freikorps fueled their participation in the Kapp Putsch
The Treaty's military restrictions and threat of war crimes prosecutions created a volatile situation that contributed to the Kapp Putsch
General Lüttwitz's refusal to disband his troops and demands for the government led to the coup's initiation
General Strike
The Weimar government's call for a general strike effectively crippled the administration of Berlin and led to the collapse of the putsch
Neutrality of the German Army
The German Army's leadership, particularly Hans von Seeckt, chose to remain neutral, contributing to the failure of the Kapp Putsch
The Kapp Putsch exposed the fragility of the Weimar Republic and the ongoing struggle for stability in Germany, ultimately leading to the rise of Hitler and the National Socialist Party
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In ______ 1920, the ______ ______ was targeted by a coup known as the Kapp Putsch, led by ______ ______ and General ______ von ______.
March
Weimar Republic
Wolfgang Kapp
Walther
Lüttwitz
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Freikorps origins post-WWI
Formed by demobilized soldiers, aimed to maintain order and combat uprisings.
02
Freikorps stance on Weimar Republic
Initially government-backed, later opposed Weimar, fostering nationalist and anti-Communist sentiments.
