Key facts and dates

The Kapp Putsch of March 1920 was a critical early challenge to the Weimar Republic, revealing the depth of right-wing opposition and the fragility of the new democratic system in Germany. This timeline captures the key events and context surrounding the putsch and broader right-wing threats during this period.

Timeline of key events

• 1919-1922 – Over 350 political assassinations by right-wing extremists, targeting figures like Matthias Erzberger and Walther Rathenau.
• March 1920 – Kapp Putsch launched as Freikorps units march on Berlin.
• 13 March 1920 – Wolfgang Kapp proclaims himself Chancellor; government flees to Stuttgart.
• 17 March 1920 – General strike by trade unions paralyses Berlin, forcing the putsch's collapse after four days.
• Post-March 1920 – Weak punishments for Kapp Putsch conspirators contrast with harsh treatment of left-wing rebels.

Background to right-wing hostility towards the Weimar Republic

The Weimar Republic, established in 1919, faced immediate and intense opposition from right-wing groups who rejected its democratic principles and resented the consequences of Germany's defeat in the First World War. This hostility created a volatile political climate, setting the stage for direct challenges like the Kapp Putsch.

Sources of right-wing resentment

• Rejection of democracy - Many on the right, including monarchists and nationalists, viewed the republic as a betrayal of traditional German values and blamed it for the "stab-in-the-back" myth, the belief that Germany was undermined internally rather than defeated militarily.
• Anger over the Treaty of Versailles - The treaty's military restrictions, such as reducing the army to 100,000 men, infuriated the military establishment and right-wing groups who saw this as a humiliation and a threat to national strength.
• Freikorps discontent - The Freikorps, paramilitary units of ex-soldiers formed after the war to suppress left-wing uprisings, resented government plans to disband them, fearing loss of purpose and influence. Their loyalty lay with nationalist ideals rather than the republic.
• Broader ideological opposition - Right-wing factions, driven by völkisch ideology (a nationalist and racist worldview emphasising German ethnic purity), fundamentally opposed the inclusive, democratic nature of Weimar, seeking a return to authoritarian rule.

The events of the Kapp Putsch in March 1920

The Kapp Putsch, launched in March 1920, was a direct attempt by right-wing forces to overthrow the Weimar government. It exposed the fragility of the republic and the unreliability of key institutions meant to defend it.

Key stages of the putsch:

1. Initiation of the coup (March 1920) - Freikorps units, angered by plans to disband them, marched on Berlin under the leadership of General Walther von Lüttwitz, aiming to seize control of the capital.
2. Proclamation of new leadership (13 March 1920) - Wolfgang Kapp, a right-wing civil servant and nationalist, declared himself Chancellor, claiming to restore order and traditional authority.
3. Government response - Unable to rely on military support, the legitimate government under President Friedrich Ebert fled to Stuttgart, leaving Berlin in the hands of the putschists.
4. Army's refusal to act - The Reichswehr (the official German army) refused to suppress the coup, with General Hans von Seeckt famously stating, "Reichswehr does not fire on Reichswehr," revealing their sympathy or at least neutrality towards the right-wing cause.
5. Collapse through general strike (17 March 1920) - Trade unions called a general strike that paralysed Berlin, halting essential services and undermining the putschists' ability to govern. After just four days, Kapp and his allies abandoned their attempt and fled.

The aftermath and consequences of the Kapp Putsch

While the Kapp Putsch failed, its aftermath revealed deep weaknesses in the Weimar Republic's ability to defend itself against right-wing threats. The response to the coup highlighted systemic issues that would continue to plague the republic.

Immediate consequences of the failed coup

• Weak punishment of conspirators - Despite the clear threat to democracy, most participants faced lenient or no penalties. Wolfgang Kapp fled to Sweden and returned later without significant consequence, reflecting a judiciary sympathetic to right-wing causes.
• Contrast with left-wing treatment - In stark contrast, left-wing uprisings, such as the Spartacist revolt of 1919, were met with brutal repression and harsh punishments, exposing a bias in how threats to the republic were handled.
• Army's unreliability exposed - The Reichswehr's refusal to defend the government underscored its questionable loyalty to democratic principles, raising concerns about future crises where military support might again be withheld.
• Strength of trade unions - The general strike's success demonstrated the power of organised labour as a defender of the republic, though it also deepened tensions with right-wing groups who resented such working-class influence.

Broader right-wing opposition activities and their impact

Beyond the Kapp Putsch, right-wing opposition manifested in various forms throughout the early years of the Weimar Republic. These activities consistently undermined the stability and legitimacy of the democratic system.

Forms of right-wing resistance

• Political assassinations - Between 1919 and 1922, over 350 political murders were carried out by right-wing extremists, targeting prominent figures like Matthias Erzberger (a signatory of the armistice) and Walther Rathenau (a Jewish Foreign Minister), aiming to destabilise the republic through terror.
• Paramilitary organisations - Groups like the Freikorps and other nationalist militias operated outside government control, engaging in violence and intimidation against perceived enemies of the "true" Germany, further eroding public safety.
• Völkisch ideology - This extremist nationalist and racist ideology fuelled right-wing rhetoric, promoting the idea of a racially pure German state and rejecting the multicultural, democratic values of Weimar, which gained traction among disaffected groups.
• Judiciary complicity - Courts often showed leniency towards right-wing criminals, issuing light sentences or acquittals, which emboldened further opposition by suggesting that such actions carried little risk of serious consequence.

Significance of right-wing threats to Weimar democracy

The Kapp Putsch and broader right-wing opposition had profound implications for the Weimar Republic, highlighting the inherent challenges of establishing a stable democracy in a deeply divided society. These threats exposed structural weaknesses that would persist throughout the republic's existence.

Impact on democratic stability

• Fundamental rejection of legitimacy - Unlike left-wing opposition, which often sought reform within the system, right-wing groups fundamentally rejected the republic's right to exist, viewing it as an illegitimate product of defeat and betrayal. This made compromise or integration into the democratic process nearly impossible.
• Undermining public confidence - Repeated acts of violence, assassinations, and coups like the Kapp Putsch damaged public trust in the government's ability to maintain order, creating a perception of weakness and instability.
• Long-term consequences - The failure to decisively address right-wing threats, combined with institutional biases in the army and judiciary, created fertile ground for further extremist movements, ultimately contributing to the rise of the Nazi Party in the 1930s.
• Challenge to democratic principles - When one side of the political spectrum refused to accept the system's legitimacy, it placed immense strain on democratic governance, as dialogue and compromise - essential to democracy - became unattainable with groups committed to its destruction.