The Munich Putsch
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe the causes, events and consequences of the Munich Putsch.
Key learning points
- The crises leading up to 1923 created a fertile environment for extremism, making rebellion against Weimar more likely.
- Inspired by Mussolini’s ‘March on Rome’, Hitler planned to seize Munich, overthrow Weimar and establish Nazi rule.
- The putsch collapsed when Bavarian leaders withdrew support, and Hitler’s 2000-strong march was crushed by armed police.
- In the short-term, the Nazi Party was banned, Hitler was jailed and many leading Nazis fled.
- Hitler gained fame from his trial, wrote ‘My Struggle’ and shifted to a strategy of gaining power legally.
Keywords
Fascist - supports a system based on a very powerful leader, state control and being extremely proud of country and race, and, in which, political opposition is not allowed
Putsch - a sudden and often violent attempt to overthrow a government, usually carried out by a small group
Bavarian - related to Bavaria, a state in southern Germany, which had its own local government based in Munich, the state capital
'My Struggle' - the English translation of 'Mein Kampf', a book written by Hitler while in prison, in which he outlined his life story, political beliefs and plans for Germany’s future
Common misconception
The Munich Putsch was an immediate success, leading to Hitler’s rise to power.
The Munich Putsch was a failure in the short-term - Hitler was arrested and the Nazi Party was banned. However, in the long-term, the event gave Hitler national attention and led him to change his strategy, focusing on gaining power legally.
Teacher tip
Provide short extracts from 'Mein Kampf' (simplified if needed) so pupils can analyse how Hitler’s ideas changed after the putsch and how he planned to gain power differently. Discuss the dangers of his new approach.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Complete the sentence with the correct missing word: One reason Hitler moved from to Germany in 1913 was that he saw himself as German.
Q2.Why did Hitler initially attend meetings of the German Workers’ Party (DAP)?
Q3.How did Hitler use propaganda to expand the Nazi Party?
Q4.Match each Nazi leader with their role in the early Nazi Party.
founder of the DAP
head of the SA
oversaw fundraising and administration
Q5.What was one of the main purposes of the SA (Sturmabteilung)?
Q6.Which of the following were key messages in Hitler’s speeches?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What crises in 1923 contributed to the Munich Putsch?
Q2.Complete the sentence with the correct missing word: Hitler was inspired by the Italian dictator Benito , whose followers had staged a ‘March on Rome’.
Q3.What does the term ‘putsch’ mean?
Q4.Starting with the earliest, sort these events into chronological order.
Q5.Why did the Munich Putsch fail?
Q6.Why was Hitler’s trial held in Munich instead of another city?
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: The Munich Putsch, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: The Munich Putsch, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918–39 unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.