The Freikorps and Weimar Republic

Context and Formation

• Post-WWI Germany: Following Germany's defeat in WWI, various paramilitary groups emerged.
• Freikorps Formation: Comprised of returning German soldiers.
• Beliefs: Strong nationalist sentiments, anti-Treaty of Versailles, and anti-Communist.

Role and Activities

• Threats and Use: With threats from the Red Army and internal communist uprisings, the Freikorps acted as a militaristic force.
• Support from Weimar Government: Used to quell revolutions, such as the Spartacus Uprising in 1919.

Spartacus Uprising

• Initiators: Led by communists aiming to overthrow the government.
• Government Response: SPD and Frederick Ebert called in Freikorps.
• Outcomes: Leaders Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht were murdered; criticism arose against the government.
• Legal Consequences: Two Freikorps members tried but received light sentences.

Bavarian Soviet Republic

• Conflict: Established in April 1919, another communist uprising.
• Defeat: Suppressed by 9,000 Reichswehr soldiers and 30,000 Freikorps members.

Impact of Treaty of Versailles

• Military Reduction: Treaty enforced a reduction of Germany’s military to 100,000 men.
• Freikorps Disbandment: Led to considerations of a coup by Freikorps leaders.

Kapp Putsch

• Attempted Coup: Ehrhardt Brigade led the attempt against Ebert's government in Berlin.
• Brief Leadership Change: Wolfgang Kapp assumed temporary control.
• Resolution: Workers' strike paralyzed Berlin, ending the coup.

Aftermath

• Disbandment: Freikorps officially disbanded post-coup.
• Transition to Nazi Party: Many members joined the Nazi Party and SA, pledging allegiance to Hitler.