The Beer Hall Putsch: What If It Succeeded?

On November 8, 1923, Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party led an unsuccessful coup d'état known as the Beer Hall Putsch. The putsch was an attempt to overthrow the democratic government of Germany and establish a new government to oversee the creation of a unified Greater German Reich. If the Beer Hall Putsch had succeeded, it could have had significant implications for the course of history, including the potential rise of Hitler to power earlier and a possible earlier start to World War II.

Hitler becomes head of Bavaria and attempts to march on Berlin

On November 8, 1923, Hitler and his followers stormed a Munich beer hall and took several Bavarian leaders hostage. After convincing the leaders to support his cause, Hitler declared a "national revolution" and set his sights on Berlin.

Assuming Hitler successfully becomes the head of Bavaria, he would have to consolidate his power and build up his military strength before marching on Berlin. Bavaria was a stronghold of support for Hitler, and he would need to leverage this support to establish a firm grip on the region. With Bavaria under his control, Hitler would then need to expand his influence and gain support from other regions of Germany to challenge the Weimar Republic.

Hitler's march on Berlin would be a significant military undertaking, requiring careful planning and coordination. He would need to assemble a large force of soldiers, weapons, and supplies to confront the Weimar Republic's defence forces. The success of Hitler's march hinges on several factors, including the level of support he can garner from the German people, the effectiveness of his military strategy, and the response of the Weimar Republic.

If Hitler's march on Berlin is successful, it would mark a critical turning point in German history. The Weimar Republic would be overthrown, and Hitler would establish himself as the country's leader. This would set the stage for the consolidation of Nazi power and the implementation of Hitler's extremist ideology, potentially leading to an earlier and more intense World War II.

However, it is important to note that even with control of Bavaria, Hitler would face significant challenges in his attempt to march on Berlin. The Weimar Republic had the support of the Reichswehr, the regular German army, which far outnumbered Hitler's paramilitary forces. Additionally, the Weimar Republic was backed by the French and British, who would likely intervene to prevent a Nazi takeover. The odds were stacked against Hitler, and it is more likely that his march on Berlin would be thwarted, leading to a potential civil war or a negotiated settlement.

Hitler's first move is to annex Austria

If the Beer Hall Putsch had succeeded, Hitler's first move would likely have been to annex Austria. This is because the unification of Austria and Germany into a "Greater Germany" was a popular idea at the time, particularly among Austrian citizens of the political left and center.

In the original timeline, Hitler rose to power in Germany in 1933. In 1936, he entered into a gentlemen's agreement with Austrian chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg, which he used to exert political pressure on the Austrian government. In 1938, Hitler bullied Schuschnigg into accepting far-reaching demands during a meeting at Berchtesgaden. Schuschnigg then announced that there would be a referendum on a possible union with Germany versus maintaining Austria's sovereignty. Hitler threatened an invasion and secretly pressured Schuschnigg to resign. On March 12, 1938, German troops occupied Austria and Hitler appointed a new Nazi government. On March 13, the annexation, or Anschluss, was proclaimed.

If the Beer Hall Putsch had succeeded in 1923, Hitler's annexation of Austria may have occurred earlier. However, it is important to note that Hitler's rise to power was dependent on several factors, including the economic situation and his own political skills. Additionally, the annexation of Austria faced opposition from other countries, particularly Italy, France, and Britain, which may have attempted to prevent or undo the annexation.

Hitler's success inspires a communist uprising

In the wake of Hitler's successful Beer Hall Putsch, the already tense political situation in Germany becomes even more volatile. The Communist Party of Germany (KPD), sensing opportunity, begins to mobilise its supporters and step up its propaganda efforts. They find a receptive audience among the working classes, who have been hit hard by the economic crisis and see the KPD as a force for change.

The KPD's message of class struggle and wealth redistribution resonates with many Germans who are disillusioned with the failures of the Weimar Republic and the traditional political parties. The KPD's leaders, emboldened by their gains in the 1932 elections, begin to plan for a potential revolution, modelling their strategy on the successful Bolshevik Revolution in Russia. They see Hitler's rise as a threat but also as an opportunity to seize power and establish a communist regime.

As the KPD gains momentum, clashes with Nazi supporters become increasingly common, with street fights and riots breaking out in major cities. The KPD's paramilitary wing, the Red Front Fighters' League, engages in skirmishes with the Nazi SA, leading to a spiral of violence and political unrest. The Weimar Republic, already fragile, struggles to maintain order and prevent the country from descending into civil war.

Fearing a communist takeover, conservative elements within the government and the military begin to see Hitler and the Nazis as a potential bulwark against the left. However, this only further emboldens the Nazis, who exploit anti-communist sentiments to gain support. The country becomes increasingly polarised, with political violence escalating and the authority of the central government weakening.

In this atmosphere of chaos and instability, the KPD launches its long-planned uprising, hoping to emulate the success of the Russian Bolsheviks. They seize key infrastructure and government buildings in several major cities, including Berlin, and declare a provisional communist government. However, the Nazis, backed by conservative factions and disaffected military units, launch a counter-offensive, leading to a bloody civil war.

The civil war rages for several months, with neither side gaining a decisive advantage. The country descends into chaos, with widespread destruction, food shortages, and mass casualties. Eventually, external powers, fearing the spread of communism, intervene to restore order. The civil war ends with a tenuous peace, but the political divisions and social unrest persist, setting the stage for future conflicts.

Hitler allies with the USSR and Italy

Assuming Hitler's Beer Hall Putsch succeeded, the immediate effect would be Hitler becoming the head of Bavaria. This would likely lead to civil war in Germany, with the Nazis seizing control of Bavaria and moving towards Berlin. However, without external military aid, the Weimar Republic would be able to mobilise quickly and stop the Nazis outside Berlin.

Hitler would then be forced to propose an armistice, and the Nazis would be given the territories of the Bavaria region, along with a non-aggression pact. This would be the first step towards uniting all German-speaking peoples under one leader, with Austria being offered annexation in response to the Great Depression.

Now, onto the main question: what if Hitler allies with the USSR and Italy?

Firstly, it is important to note that for Hitler to ally with the USSR and Italy, he would have to go against his usual fascist policy as the USSR was a communist state. This would be much easier if the leftist part of the NSDAP allies with the KPD. A strong link between a socialist Germany and communist Russia could be very beneficial for both countries. Germany could support the industrialisation of the Soviet Union, which would become an economic superpower much faster. In return, the USSR could help Germany circumvent the Versailles Treaty and provide manpower.

As for Italy, Hitler and Mussolini had similar far-right ideologies and shared a general opposition to the Allies. An alliance between Germany and Italy would be further strengthened by their shared interest in territorial expansion.

With these alliances, Hitler would have greater freedom to act in Europe, for example, by supporting rebels in the occupied Rhineland or seizing Austria. A joint invasion of Poland by Germany and the USSR would also be possible, with German and Soviet troops fighting together on the Western Front against France and Britain.

The formation of the Axis powers, originally called the Rome-Berlin Axis and later the Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis, would drastically change the course of history. The Axis powers would initiate World War II, fighting against the Allies. With the addition of Japan, the Axis powers would preside over large parts of Europe, North Africa, and East Asia, either through occupation, annexation, or puppet states.

However, despite their alliance, there would be a lack of coordination and ideological cohesion among the Axis powers. Their interests would sometimes conflict, and they would not hold three-way summit meetings.

Ultimately, the Axis powers would be defeated in 1945, bringing an end to World War II.

Hitler's failure teaches him to pursue revolution through legal means

The Beer Hall Putsch was an attempted coup d'état by Hitler and the Nazi Party on 8-9 November 1923. Nearly 2,000 Nazi Party members gathered in Munich, where they were met by a police cordon summoned to obstruct them. The violence that ensued left 16 Nazi Party members and four police officers dead. Hitler briefly escaped but was soon arrested and put on trial for high treason.

The trial proved to be a pivotal moment for Hitler, as it brought him national attention. He was sentenced to five years in prison but served only nine months. During his time in Landsberg Prison, Hitler wrote Mein Kampf, which became the bible of National Socialism. Once released, Hitler switched tactics, opting to seize power through legal and democratic means.

Hitler's newfound celebrity status, combined with the economic crisis of the Great Depression, provided a platform for him to begin campaigning furiously. He exploited the crisis by criticising the ruling government and the Treaty of Versailles, appealing to the fears of business leaders who were anxious about a potential communist takeover.

In the 1932 elections, Hitler ran for the presidency but was defeated, coming in second place. However, in July of the same year, the Nazis became the largest party in the Reichstag. Hitler's persistence in pursuing power through legal means eventually paid off when, in January 1933, he was appointed Chancellor of Germany.

Hitler's failure during the Beer Hall Putsch taught him the importance of pursuing revolution through legal channels. By biding his time, exploiting economic crises, and appealing to the anxieties of the German people, he was able to gain power and establish his dictatorship.

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