The Munich Putsch: Second Day and Aftermath

Events of November 9th: Day Two

The second day of the Munich Putsch saw a dramatic confrontation between the Nazi forces and Bavarian authorities:

1. Hitler, the SA, and General Ludendorff marched to the center of Munich, where they encountered the Bavarian police and army.

2. A brief but violent clash ensued between the SA and the Bavarian forces.

3. The confrontation resulted in significant casualties:

   • 16 Nazis were killed
   • 4 police officers lost their lives

4. Hitler himself was injured during the skirmish. He dislocated his shoulder when a fellow Nazi member was shot and pulled Hitler down as he fell.

Highlight: The failure of the Munich Putsch on its second day demonstrated the lack of widespread support for the Nazi cause at this time and the effectiveness of the Bavarian authorities in quelling the uprising.

Aftermath: Consequences of the Failed Putsch

The aftermath of the Beer Hall Putsch had significant implications for Hitler and the Nazi Party:

1. Hitler was arrested two days after the failed coup attempt.

2. He was subsequently put on trial and charged with treason.

3. Despite the severity of the charge, Hitler received a relatively lenient sentence:

   • He was given a five-year prison term
   • However, he was released after serving only nine months

4. Hitler strategically used his trial as a publicity platform to promote his ideas for Germany.

Highlight: The trial following the Munich Putsch provided Hitler with a national stage to articulate his political vision, turning a seeming defeat into a propaganda victory.

The Beer Hall Putsch, while a failure in its immediate aims, had long-term consequences that would shape the future of Germany:

• It elevated Hitler's profile within right-wing circles
• The lenient treatment Hitler received from the justice system emboldened him and his followers
• The experience led Hitler to reconsider his tactics, shifting towards a legal path to power
• The event became a central part of Nazi mythology and propaganda in later years

Definition: Beer Hall Putsch significance: The failed coup attempt in Munich became a turning point in Hitler's political strategy, leading to a shift from violent revolution to a focus on gaining power through legal means.