ABSTRACT

In the Ruhr itself, separatist movements present since the collapse of the Wilhelmine state came rapidly to the surface (Fig 1.4). By late October, open clashes were occurring in Rhineland cities. Dissent in Bavaria gathered momentum in late September with the declaration of a state of emergency and in late October with the nullification of an earlier Bavarian decree putting the Law for the Protection of the Republic into effect. In Saxony and Thuringia, meanwhile, leftist movements had advanced sufficiently to be offered representation in their respective Land governments by mid-October. The Reich government's attempt to restore its authority by peaceful means met with little success. Moreover, at a time when the loyalty of the Reichswehr to the government was under strain from a conservativemonarchist conspiracy, the option of military force was less than automatic. But the communists in Saxony and Thuringia soon rescued the Reich government. By calling for resistance ana violence against troops, they provided a clear excuse for the intervention of the Reichswehr, whereupon social democratic governments were quickly reinstated in both Lander. In Bavaria, though, where Hitler had already gained himself political leadership of the Kampjbund association of militant rightist groups, events soon developed their own momentum. At a nationalist meeting in a Munich beer hall on the evening of 8 November, attended by a host of senior state officials and military men, Hitler and his armed entourage burst in and declared the formation of a provisional Reich government. At first it seemed that the civil and military leaders had capitulated, but within 24 hours police and militia had defeated the putschists. The organisation of the coup had been inept: for instance, vital communication offices were left untouched; but more significant was the tenuous unity of the Bavarian right - Hitler intent upon personal dictatorship while others sought restoration of the Bavarian monarchy.