Kapp Putsch

Question 1

When was the Kapp Putsch?

Answer 1

12th March 1920

Question 2

Putsch

Answer 2

A coup or violent attempt to overthrow the government

Question 3

Reichswehr

Answer 3

The German army

Question 4

What caused the putsch?

Answer 4

Germany was forced to reduce the size of its army and disband some of the Freikorps units
In Feb 1920 Gustav Noske ordered 2 Freikorps units, compromising 12,000 men, to disband

Question 5

What took place during the Putsch?

Answer 5

General Luttwitz decided to march his troops to Berlin in order to protest
This was supported by Wolfgang Kapp who was intent on organising a putsch
Overall it was a coup d’état that attempted to overthrow the Weimar government

Question 6

Why did the Putsch fail?

Answer 6

The government encouraged Berlin workers to strike
This paralysed the city
It denied the Kapp essential services like gas, electricity and water.
This hindered their ability to govern
So, after 4 days the Kapp leaders abandoned the march and fled to Sweden