The Kapp Putsch, which took place on March 13, 1920, was a significant event in the tumultuous post-World War I German political landscape. The coup attempt, led by Wolfgang Kapp and Walther von Lüttwitz, aimed to overthrow the newly established Weimar Republic and establish a military dictatorship. The Kapp Putsch failed due to the swift response of the German trade unions, which organized a general strike, and the reluctance of many Freikorps members to participate in the coup.

The significance of the Kapp Putsch lies in its:

1. Revelation of political instability: The Kapp Putsch exposed the deep-seated political instability in Germany, which had been exacerbated by the economic crisis and the Treaty of Versailles.
2. Exacerbation of polarization: The event further polarized German society, with many people viewing the government as weak and ineffective. This created an environment conducive to extremist movements.
3. Rise of extremist groups: The failure of the Kapp Putsch contributed to the rise of extremist groups like the Nazi Party, which capitalized on growing discontent and exploited anti-communist sentiment.
4. Weimar Republic’s crisis: The Kapp Putsch highlighted the crisis of legitimacy facing the Weimar Republic, which struggled to establish its authority and credibility.

The Freikorps played a crucial role in the Kapp Putsch, as they:

1. Initially supported the coup: Many Freikorps members were initially sympathetic to the coup and were willing to participate in it.
2. Failed to deliver: However, they failed to deliver the necessary support for the coup to succeed, largely due to their own divisions and lack of enthusiasm.
3. Influenced subsequent events: The Freikorps’s involvement in the Kapp Putsch contributed to the growing radicalization of German politics, as many members became disillusioned with mainstream politics and sought more extreme solutions.

The significance of the Freikorps in this context is that they:

1. Represented a powerful force: The Freikorps was a powerful force that could be mobilized for political purposes, making them a key player in Germany’s volatile political landscape.
2. Fueled extremism: The Freikorps’s anti-communist sentiment and willingness to use violence contributed to the spread of extremist ideologies in Germany.
3. Prepared the ground for Nazi rise: The Freikorps’s involvement in the Kapp Putsch and their subsequent activities helped pave the way for the Nazi Party’s rise to power.