Was the Munich Putsch a total disaster?

During the Hyperinflation crisis of 1923 Hitler and the Nazis saw the opportunity to seize power and remove the Weimar government. They planned to take Munich and then march on to Berlin. The attempt was a failure for the Nazis, they did not get the support they needed, the Weimar was able to organise the local police, 16 nazis were killed and Hitler and other leading Nazis arrested.



However this was a turning point for the Nazis. Firstly Hitler only got five years in prison which should have been a life sentence for treason, in the end he only served 9 months! This showed that the judges had some sympathy with the Nazis.

Secondly the trial gained the Nazis widespread media coverage.

Thirdly in prison Hitler wrote Mein kampf 'My Struggle' which would be a source of propaganda for the Nazis for many years.

Finally and most importantly the Nazis realised that in order to gain power they would need to get elected, a violent putsch would not work, they would need to get into the Reichstag (German Parliament).After Munich Hitler and the Nazis concentrated on reorganising, gaining support, votes and seats in the Reichstag.




Hitler in Landsberg Prison - he only served 9 months out of 5 years, the judges were sympathetic to the Nazis he should have had a life sentence.