Kapp Putsch: A Failed Coup in Weimar Germany

Historical Event

Date

March 13 - 17, 1920

Location

Berlin, Germany

Stuttgart, Germany

Result

Coup fails

Introduction

The Kapp Putsch was a failed coup attempt in March 1920 aimed at overthrowing the Weimar Republic in Germany. Led by Wolfgang Kapp and General Walther von Lüttwitz, the coup sought to reverse the German Revolution of 1918–1919 and establish an autocratic regime. Supported by nationalist groups, parts of the military, and the Freikorps, the putsch briefly seized control of Berlin. However, it collapsed within days due to a massive general strike and widespread civil resistance that paralyzed the coup's supporters. This event exposed the fragility of the Weimar government and intensified political divisions in Germany’s early postwar years.

Background and causes of the Kapp Putsch

In the early months of 1920, tensions in Germany were high following the Treaty of Versailles and the fragile establishment of the Weimar Republic. Many military officers and right-wing groups, including the Freikorps paramilitaries, deeply resented the new democratic government and the treaty’s restrictions. The military demobilization limited the official Reichswehr to 100,000 men, while unofficial forces grew much larger, fueling fears of weakened national defense. Discontent peaked when some army leaders, like Walther von Lüttwitz, opposed dissolving the Freikorps and feared communist uprisings. This unrest provided the background for a coup attempt on 13 March 1920, led by Wolfgang Kapp and supported by segments of the military and nationalist factions. Their goal was to overthrow the Weimar government and restore authoritarian rule. Although the coup briefly seized Berlin, widespread resistance, including a massive general strike by workers and civil servants, led to its rapid collapse, exposing the deep divisions and instability threatening the republic.

What happened during the Kapp Putsch

The Kapp Putsch unfolded over five tense days in March 1920, as a swift but ultimately unsuccessful coup aimed to seize power in Berlin and overthrow the Weimar Republic.

Occupying Berlin

On March 13, 1920, nationalist military units, especially the Marinebrigade Ehrhardt, a Freikorps paramilitary group, moved decisively to occupy key locations across Berlin. They took control of government offices, communication centres, and transport hubs, effectively seizing the capital. The legitimate government, led by Chancellor Gustav Bauer, was forced to flee Berlin and reestablish itself temporarily in Stuttgart. To give an appearance of civilian leadership and legitimacy to the coup, Wolfgang Kapp, a relatively obscure civil servant, was installed as the putsch’s figurehead leader, while General Walther von Lüttwitz acted as the military force behind the takeover.

The power vacuum and government flight

With the government out of Berlin, Kapp boldly declared himself Reich Chancellor and attempted to form a new administration to replace the Weimar regime. However, despite controlling the capital, the putschists faced a critical challenge: they could not govern effectively without the cooperation of civil servants and the broader population. Most government employees refused to obey Kapp’s orders, leaving administrative functions paralyzed. The Reichswehr army as a whole also showed reluctance to back the coup fully, weakening the putsch’s military strength.

Widespread resistance and general strike

The most decisive blow to the putsch came from the vast general strike called by the exiled legitimate government and supported by workers and unions across the country. This strike effectively shut down services, transportation, and industry, making it impossible for Kapp’s government to function. Millions of workers participated in the strike, which spread rapidly and shut down large parts of German society by halting civilian and economic activity.

Collapse and retreat

Within four days, the combination of the general strike, lack of popular support, and refusal by civil servants to cooperate forced Kapp and the putsch leaders to abandon their plans. The putsch collapsed as the forces controlling Berlin lost control of the city’s vital functions. By March 17, Wolfgang Kapp had fled, and the legitimate Weimar government gradually returned to Berlin to resume control. The failure of the coup demonstrated the power of mass civil resistance and the limitations of a minority military takeover without broader support.

The Kapp Putsch thus lasted only five days but revealed deep fissures in the Weimar Republic’s stability while temporarily disrupting the government’s authority. Despite its failure, the event marked a critical moment in the turbulent early years of post-World War I Germany.

Outcomes of the Kapp Putsch

The Kapp Putsch failed within days because the German government called a general strike, which paralyzed Berlin and made it impossible for the coup leaders to govern. Most civil servants refused to cooperate with the putschists, and the military (Reichswehr) did not support the coup. Despite its failure, the putsch exposed how fragile and unstable the Weimar Republic was, showing that the government could be threatened by both right-wing forces and revolutionary groups.

The aftermath led to important political consequences: the government briefly fled Berlin, and the strike victory strengthened workers’ organizations. However, the government’s later harsh military response to the Ruhr uprising, where workers resisted, deepened political divisions. The putsch also caused a rise in political polarization, with support growing both for extreme right and left-wing parties in the following elections.

Historical impact and legacy

The Kapp Putsch had a significant historical impact by highlighting the fragility of the Weimar Republic and the ongoing struggle between civilian government and military power. It exposed that the Reichswehr (German army) was unwilling to defend the government, as they refused to suppress the coup. The massive general strike, involving up to 12 million workers, effectively paralyzed Germany and led to the putsch’s failure within days. Although unsuccessful, the putsch deepened political divisions, intensified conflict between left-wing and right-wing forces, and indirectly caused the Ruhr uprising. It revealed weakness in the young republic and influenced political shifts in subsequent elections.