Write an account of the Kapp Putsch (15)
The Kapp Putsch took place in March 1920 and was one of the early challenges faced by the Weimar Republic in Germany. After World War I, Germany was politically unstable and economically weak. The Treaty of Versailles had imposed harsh terms, including severe reductions to the German military. Many right-wing groups, including former soldiers and Freikorps (paramilitary units made up of ex-soldiers), were angry about the treaty and the democratic government they saw as betraying Germany. When the government tried to disband the Freikorps, these groups reacted with violence.
The Putsch was led by Wolfgang Kapp, a right-wing journalist and politician, with support from parts of the military and Freikorps units. On 13 March 1920, they marched into Berlin and declared a new government, forcing the Weimar government to flee. The army, although sympathetic to the rebels, refused to stop them. However, Kapp’s new regime lacked real support. Most Germans, including civil servants and workers, opposed the putsch and did not cooperate with it.
The putsch quickly collapsed due to a massive general strike organised by trade unions and supported by workers and left-wing parties. Public services, transport, and communication came to a halt, making it impossible for Kapp to govern. After just four days, Kapp resigned and fled Berlin. The Weimar government returned, and the putsch failed without much bloodshed. Although the uprising was defeated, it showed how fragile the Weimar Republic was and how divided German society had become.
The Kapp Putsch took place in March 1920 and was one of the early challenges faced by the Weimar Republic in Germany. After World War I, Germany was politically unstable and economically weak. The Treaty of Versailles had imposed harsh terms, including severe reductions to the German military. Many right-wing groups, including former soldiers and Freikorps (paramilitary units made up of ex-soldiers), were angry about the treaty and the democratic government they saw as betraying Germany. When the government tried to disband the Freikorps, these groups reacted with violence.
The Putsch was led by Wolfgang Kapp, a right-wing journalist and politician, with support from parts of the military and Freikorps units. On 13 March 1920, they marched into Berlin and declared a new government, forcing the Weimar government to flee. The army, although sympathetic to the rebels, refused to stop them. However, Kapp’s new regime lacked real support. Most Germans, including civil servants and workers, opposed the putsch and did not cooperate with it.
The putsch quickly collapsed due to a massive general strike organised by trade unions and supported by workers and left-wing parties. Public services, transport, and communication came to a halt, making it impossible for Kapp to govern. After just four days, Kapp resigned and fled Berlin. The Weimar government returned, and the putsch failed without much bloodshed. Although the uprising was defeated, it showed how fragile the Weimar Republic was and how divided German society had become.
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