Beer Hall Putsch

+## Background

+In the early 1920s, the [Weimar Republic](/wiki/weimar_republic) in [Germany](/wiki/germany) faced severe instability, marked by hyperinflation, political assassinations, and widespread discontent. Bavaria, a state within Germany, was a hotbed of right-wing political activity. [Adolf Hitler](/wiki/hitler), leader of the burgeoning [Nazi Party](/wiki/nazi_party), believed the time was ripe for a national revolution, inspired in part by [Benito Mussolini's](/wiki/mussolini) successful "March on [Rome](/wiki/rome)" in 1922. Hitler aimed to use Munich as a base to march on Berlin and overthrow the democratic government. He sought the support of prominent Bavarian leaders, including [Gustav von Kahr](/wiki/kahr), [Otto von Lossow](/wiki/lossow), and [Hans Ritter von Seisser](/wiki/seisser), as well as World War I hero [Erich Ludendorff](/wiki/ludendorff).

+## The Putsch

+On the evening of November 8, 1923, Hitler, accompanied by armed SA members, stormed a public meeting at the Bürgerbräukeller beer hall in [Munich](/wiki/munich), where Kahr, Lossow, and Seisser were speaking. Hitler declared a national revolution and, at gunpoint, coerced the Bavarian leaders into supporting his planned march on Berlin. [Erich Ludendorff](/wiki/ludendorff) arrived shortly after, lending his prestige to the cause. However, once released, the Bavarian officials reneged on their promises and organized resistance. On November 9, Hitler and approximately 2,000 [Nazis](/wiki/nazis) marched through Munich towards the War Ministry, hoping to spark a wider rebellion. They were met by state police and soldiers, leading to a brief but violent confrontation. Sixteen [Nazis](/wiki/nazis) and four police officers were killed. Hitler himself was injured, and the putsch quickly collapsed.

+## Trial and Prison

+The Beer Hall Putsch was a failed [coup](/wiki/coup) attempt by [Adolf Hitler](/wiki/hitler) and the [Nazis](/wiki/nazis) to seize power in Munich, Germany, on November 8–9, 1923. Though quickly crushed, it propelled Hitler into national prominence and provided a platform for his radical ideology during his subsequent imprisonment.

+## See also

+- [Weimar Republic](/wiki/weimar_republic)

+- [Mein Kampf](/wiki/mein_kampf)

+- [Totalitarianism](/wiki/totalitarianism)