Kapp+Putsch

Summary: "The Freikorps played a central role in the first attempt by the extreme right wing to seize power from the constitutional government (1)." They were led by Wolfgang Kapp and General Lutwitz. 12,000 troops marched on Berlin to seize government buildings. The putsch would have been a success if their was not a nationwide strike. Wolfgang Kapp, (the leader of the Putsch) was forced to flee.

The outcomes: "The government could not enforce its authority even in its own capital The government could not put down a challenge to its authority Only the mass power of a general strike could re-establish Ebert’s authority (2)." Ebert (the first president of Weimar Germany) really had no power to put down this strike because everyone was looking out for themselves.

Other relevant facts: - The Kapp Putsch lasted five days. - The Erhardts were one of Luttwitz fighting forces and were the first to put swastikas on their helmets. They would later become nazis.

Work Cited: Layton, Geoff. __Wimar and the Rise of Nazi Germany.__ 3rd edition, London. Hodder, 2005. "Kapp Putsch." //History Learning site//. Ask.com, n.d. Web. 9 Oct. 2009. .