The Freikorps were paramilitary organizations that operated in Germany from 1919-1923. They were composed primarily of World War I veterans and were known for their radical nationalist and anti-communist views. The Freikorps engaged in battles along Germany's borders to prevent territorial losses in Poland, the Baltic states, and Upper Silesia. They also helped crush the Bavarian Soviet Republic in Munich in 1919 and put down other leftist uprisings. However, the Freikorps' use of violence contributed to the instability of the Weimar Republic.

1. The Freikorps
Years
1919-1923

2. “Acceptance of a high level of political violence
was a hallmark of the political culture of Germany
between the wars.”
Kershaw, Hitler, p.170

3. War after the War
Introduction Border Strife
German Revolution Münchner Räterepublik
Spartakus Kapp Putsch
Which Republic? Ruhr Red Army
Frontschwein Fememorde
Versailles Diktat Beer Hall Putsch

4. Introduction
Freikorps , Volunteer Corps
from Freiwillige, Ger. for
volunteer. Abbr., FK.
Used as early as the Middle Ages,
the most recent usage dated from
the nationalist Aufbruck (Awakening)
against Napoleon. Its usage was to
evoke that sense of national purpose
against a foreign enemy.
Lt Rossbach, Freiw. Sturmabteilung
Rossbach, late 1919

5. This one-of-a-kind self propelled artillery team
demonstrates the improvised nature of Freikorps units

6. Variety
Left sources claim 1 million men -- 150,000 more generally
accepted
Jones lists 163 FK by name in 8 categories just for “the
major groups, 1919-1920” not counting air units!
Caballero Jurado describes three categories:
1. largest formations, raised by generals or colonels,brigade or
divisional strength--moderate aims
2. those raised in cities or regions to keep local order
3. led by junior officers, battalion or smaller--most radical

7. German
Revolution
October 28, 1918 - January, 1919

8. Anti-war speeches in the Reichstag, the
January, 1918 munition strike, even the
“Black Day of the German Army” didn’t
begin the revolution. But when the High
Seas Fleet mutinied on October 28, 1918
the revolution can be said to have begun.
Matrose (sailor), Volksmarine Division

9. “Unter den Linden: Demonstration by Armed Navysoldiers”
Postkarte Berlin, 9 November 1918

10. When the Kaiser learned of this his first reaction was “Treason!”

11. His considered reaction was abdication

12. WEINACHTSKÄMPFE 1918 • CHRISTMAS FIGHTING 1918

13. Spartakus
January, 1919

14. What does Spartakus Want?

15. Fateful bargain
Kriegsminister Noske --
SPD leader, acting
“Of course. Someone
chancellor, Ebert --
must become the
“I hate the Social
bloodhound. I won’t
Revolution like sin.”
shirk the responsibility.”
Army Chief Groener --
“The army will support
the government against
the Reds.”

16. Karl
Liebknecht
(1871-1919)
son of SPD co-founder,
Wilhelm Liebknecht,
anti-war SPD wing, 1916
founds Spartakusbund,
1918, proclaims “free
socialist republic” 2
hours after Scheidemann

17. Rosa
Luxemburg
(1870-1919)
Russian Poland, philosophy
major, Zurich,married
German, 1898, imprisoned
for political activities, left
wing of SPD,founded “Die
Rote Fahne,”pamphlets
signed Spartakus,

18. General Strike proclaimed, armed
radicals march to seize the liberal
newspaper, “Vorwärts”

19. Spartakus Week, 5-12 Jan 19

20. Soldiers! Workers! Citizens!
The “Forwards” is taken!
...
The position improves hour to hour
...
Join with all who support Democracy
and socialism, against those who
favor Dictatorship and blood soaked
preaching!

21. Art imitates life
(in between, a lapel badge from 1910)

22. A Bloody End
• Freikorps forces re-take the streets, more
than 1,000, mostly Reds, die
• Liebknecht and Luxemburg hide in Weding
• betrayed, they are arrested, beaten and shot
• Luxemburg’s body found four months later
in the Landwehr Canal

23. Which Republic?

24. The German elections of January 19, 1919 selected
the National Assembly which created the constitution
of the Weimar Republic. Electoral turnout 83%
Vote Percentage Seats
Social Democratic Party (SPD)
37.9% 163
Center Party (Z) 19.7% 91
German Democratic Party (DDP) 18.6% 75
Ger Natl Peoples Party (DNVP) 10.3% 44
Independent SPD (USPD) 7.6% 22
German Peoples Party (DVP) 4.4% 19
Bavarian Peasants’ League (BBB) 0.9% 4
others (3) 0.7% 1@
100% 421
Democratic

26. Peukert’s seven
voting groups
Since there are more than forty parties, large and
small active in the Weimar period, he groups them
as follows, roughly left to right:
•KPD/USPD
•SPD
•Centre (Z)/ BVP
•DDP/DVP
•DNVP
•NSDAP (NAZI)
•others

27. Let’s look briefly at each,
from Left to Right

28. KPD
Communist Party of Germany
Kommunistische Partei Deutschlands
•founded in 1919 by the Marxist wing of
the USPD & Spartakusbund
•drew inspiration and aid from Soviet Russia
•Leftist intellectuals & some workers
•outlawed after 1933

29. USPD
Independent SPD
Unabhängige SPD
•began as the anti-war wing of the SPD in
1914, officially in 1915
•supported Räterepublik
•lost members to more militant KPD
•insignificant after 1924

30. We Build the State
SPD
German Social Democratic Party
Socialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands
1863-1918
largest socialist party of Second Reich
1919
majority party of the republic until
the depression

31. Z
(Catholic) Center Party
Zentrumspartei
begun in 1870 as the expression of
political Catholicism. Bismarck’s
Kulturkampf established it as a force
lasting through the Weimar era
Poster from 1924 promising
a homecoming (Heimkehr) for
the Ruhr Germans

32. BVP
Bavarian Peoples’ Party
Bayrische Volkspartei
• Bavarian branch of the Centre Party.
Broke off in 1919 to be more
conservative, more Catholic & more
Bavarian. Still, voted with Zentrum in the
Reichstag.

33. For every honorable work in city & countryside
Against
Dictatorship
By the Left and Right
DDP
German Democratic Party
•left-liberal, committed to democracy.
Attacked as the party of Jews and
professors. Part of Weimar Coalition,
resigned over Versailles Treaty, then
returned. Declined with the Republic.

34. DVP
German People’s Party
Deutsche Volkspartei
• formed after the war from the old
National Liberal party, led by Gustav
Stresemann. Represented the Industrialist
interest. Anti-Weimar Coalition, then in
government with others, finally in right
opposition.

35. DNVP
German National People’s Party
Deutschnationale Volkspartei
• represented landowners & industrialists,
monarchist, opposed Versailles & the
“Weimar System.” After 1928 Alfred
Hugenberg took the party hard to the
right & into cooperation with the Nazis

36. NSDAP
National Socialist German Workers Party
Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei
Nazi
• nationalists, volkish groups, ex-soldiers,
unemployed, small businessmen, anti-
communists, anti-Semites

37. Other Weimar Parties
• Christian National Peasants and Rural Peoples Party
• German Anti-Semitic League
• German Justice Party
• German Völkish Freedom Party
• German People’s League
• National Bolsheviks
• People’s National Reich Association
• Wirtschaftspartei Economic Party ...

38. first two elections

39. Frontschwein
(soldier who served at the Front)

40. We were a band of fighters
drunk with all the passions
of the world...what we
wanted, we did not know;
what we knew, we did not
want.
Ernst von Salomon (1902-72)
Die Geächteten (The Outlaws)

41. Apostle and bard of the
Freikorps Spirit
cadet (age 12) in 1913
FK in Baltic & Upper
Silesia
served 5 years for role in
Rathenau’s murder
Jewish wife, no Nazi
challenged U.S. right to
deNazify Germany

42. Demobilization
a Europe-wide problem
1) Italy>fascisti di combatimento
2) France >Action Francaise
3) Britain>”Black and Tans”
most returning soldiers knew no other life
political danger of Bolshevik Third Internationale
economic post-war slump and urban unrest

43. A New Sub-class,
the demobilized soldier
brutalized
unemployed
alienated from peacetime life
accustomed to authoritarian structures
bitter and unaccepting of defeat

44. “Dolchstoßlegende”
Ebert, 10 Dec, at the
Brandenburg Gate:
“No enemy has
vanquished you....”
Ludendorff-Malcolm
exchange (?)

45. Versailles Diktat
Paris Peace Conference
January-June, 1919

46. Council of Four

47. Accept or...

48. SIGNING, 28.VI.19
SITE OF THE FOUNDING OF THE SECOND REICH, NOW
DESTROYED BY THE DEFEAT

49. Border Strife
•Poland
•Baltic
•Rhineland
•Upper Silesia

50. The Freikorps fought and defeated the largest
revolutionary leftist party in Western Europe;
minimized territorial losses on their country’s
borders; and prevented national disintegration.
Carlos Caballero Jurado
The German Freikorps, 1918-1923

51. Poland
Poland reasserts herself
with uncertain borders
Grenzschutz Öst for
mixed border areas
authorized FKs for this
defense
Josef Pilsudski

52. Baltikum
German presence since
medieval Drang nach
Östen
occupied after Brest-
Litovsk, Dec,’17
“Red October” and civil
war--> chaos
Ger 8th Army, Gen’l von
der Goltz, to keep order

53. Enter the FK
FK Rossbach was formed
to fight for Wartheland
against Poland
moved to Latvia to
support von der Goltz
promise of farms!
many other FKs come
seesaw, multi-faction
struggle

54. Eastern Border Wars
the final phase
1921
Upper Silesia

55. Eastern Border Wars
the final phase
1921
Upper Silesia
• major econ importance, mixed population
• 1919 -- Poles tried to seize, FKs resist
•Feb,1920--Allied Commission occupies prior
to plebiscite, French troops predominate
• Mar, 1920 --60% vote to be German,
commission begins to draw boundaries
• both sides arm
•2 May1921--general strike & Polish uprising
• Allied troops do nothing (exception, It.)
• 5 May--Poles control all east of the Oder
• 21 May--Annaberg counteroffensive

57. Upper=
Silesian
protect your
Interest
vote
German

58. YouTube film!

59. Present Annaberg Site
The Poles have removed
the circular German
Ehrenmal but kept the
outdoor amphitheater
and added a granite
monument to the Polish
defenders

60. Münchner
Räterepublik
Munich Soviet Republic
November,1918-May, 1919

61. Origins
Kurt Eisner
1867-21 Feb 1919
SPD-->USPD, 1917
Munition Strike; January, 1918
overthrew Bavarian monarchy,
8 Nov 1918
First President, Bavarian
Republic

62. ASSASSINATION SITE • ASSASSIN, ANTON VON ARCO -VALLEY

63. Räterepublik, 6.iv.19

64. TO THE BAVARIAN WORKING
CLASS!
BAVARIA IS A
RÄTEREPUBLIK!
WHAT’S THE
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
THE SOVIET AND THE
LANDTAG(PARLIAMENT
)?
SIGNED ERNST TOLLER

65. Eugen Levine
“The Bavarian Lenin”
born, St Petersburg, 1883
fought in 1905 Russian
Revolution
member, KPD
executed Stadelheim Prison,
July, 1919

66. FK VON EPP • RED ARMY • KRUPP-DAIMLER PLATTFORMWAGEN

67. THE SAVIORS OF MUNICH • IDEALIZED & ACTUAL

68. HITLER’S ROLE?
A GOOD QUESTION!
ALMOST NOTHING KNOWN SO HE CONCEALED HIS
RECORD
PROBABLY TRIED TO PLAY BOTH SIDES (LUKACS)
TOOK NO PART IN THE MAY “LIBERATION”
CHOSEN (19 MAY) TO INVESTIGATE HIS BATTALION’S
ROLE IN THE RÄTEREPUBLIK

69. Outcome
The Munich victory raised the Freikorps to a
zenith of prestige....From an army that had
seemed to be on the point of evaporation after
the Armistice, an effective military force had
been created. However, that effort to rebuild
the army would be checked by the Treaty of
Versailles.
Carlos Caballero Jurado

70. Kapp Putsch
March, 1920

71. WOLFGANG KAPP
(1858-1922)
BORN NYC, SON OF A ‘48ER”
1871 RETURNED TO BERLIN
TÜBINGEN LAW DEGREE
FINANCE MINISTRY
1917, WITH TIRPITZ, FOUNDS
DVP, 1919-->DNVP
ELECTED TO REICHSTAG AS A
MONARCHIST

72. WALTHER FREIHERR VON LÜTTWITZ
(1859-1942)
CAREER OFFICER
1916,“BLUE MAX”
1919, LED SUPPRESSION
OF SPARTAKUS WEEK
COMMANDER “GRUKO” I
WANTED PUTSCH, JUNE,
1919, AT VERSAILLES
TREATY SIGNING
CHIEF FK LEADERS BALK

73. HERMANN EHRHARDT
(1881-1971)
1899,SEEKADET IN NAVY
DESTROYER CAPTAIN IN WAR
NOV,’18, FK “BRIGADE
EHRHARDT” --”THE BEST”-JONES
1919, CRUSHED THE MUNICH
RÄTEREPUBLIK & OTHER
CENTRAL GERMAN RED REGIMES
1920--KAPP-LÜTTWITZ
UNDERGROUND IN BAVARIA

74. BERLIN, MARCH 1920
1. Korvettenkapitän Ehrhardt
2. Gefreiter, Freiw. Landesjäegerkorps
(Freikorps Maercker)
3. Machine gunner, II Marine Brigade
Wilhelmshaven (Brigade Ehrhardt)
4. MG 08/15 42 pounds 100 rd steel
drum of 7.92 mm ammunition

75. CHRONOLOGY
1 OCT 19--SEEKT WARNS AGAINST LÜTTWITZ’ PUTSCH
JAN,’20--ALLIES PUSH GER TO DISBAND FK TO COMPLY
WITH VERSAILLES LIMIT OF 100,000 MAN ARMY
1 MAR--LÜTTWITZ BRINGS EHRHARDT IN
10 MAR --NOSKE TRIES TO FORESTALL
13 MAR--EHRHARDT MARCHES ON BERLIN, CABINET
FLEES TO DRESDEN, LUDENDORFF WELCOMES “REAL
SOLDIERS” --BLOODLESS COUP

76. THE LEAFLET
“NO MONARCHIST PUTSCH!
...
REICHSCHANCELLOR
KAPP.
KAPP-PUTSCHISTS DISTRIBUTE LEAFLETS IN FRONT OF THE REICHS CHANCELLERY

77. THINGS FALL APART
NOON OF DAY 1--CALL FOR GENERAL STRIKE
KAPP REGIME PROVES INCOMPETENT. BUREAUCRACY
REFUSES ORDERS
EHRHARDT’S MEN DEMAND PAY
NO COORDINATION COUNTRYWIDE
AFTER FIVE DAYS KAPP GOES INTO EXILE

79. Red Army Ruhr
March - April, 1920

80. The nail that sticks up gets
hammered down.”
German proverb

81. For the first time in western European
history the state’s professional armies
were in confrontation with a properly
organized revolutionary army. Within five
days [3/15-20], the Ruhr workers had
managed to organize their own force of
fifty thousand armed and determined
men....This scratch force had succeeded in
defeating Government militias, police,
FKs, and the regular Reichswehr and were
in possession of Germany’s main
industrial region.
Nigel Jones

82. Volunteer,Akademischen
Wehr, Munster
Things were so bad that
even the “useless
generation,” those too
young for the war, were
called upon. Most were
eager to follow their elders.

83. Chronology
15-20.iii--Reds seize
control
24.iii--truce
3.iv--broken
8.iv--FKs restore
“order”

84. Consequences
total casualties never counted
bloodiest, most savage reprisals
political consequences for SPD & Noske
Seekt purges army, creates “Black Reichswehr”
French occupy Ruhr, 2nd time

85. Underground FK
the banned Freikorps
divided into two paths
1. regular Reichswehr
2. underground
• Bayern was most
welcoming to the
latter “hardcore”
Arbeitsgemeindschaft

86. Feme Murders

87. VEHMGERICHT
ORIGINATED IN MEDIEVAL WESTPHALIA
SECRET COURTS TO OPPOSE NEW PRINCELY REGIMES
19TH CENTURY GOTHIC ROMANCES GLAMORIZE
GUIDO VON LIST LEGITIMIZES FOR VÖLKISH
NATIONALISTS
AFTER FKS WERE SUPPRESSED MEMBERS CARRIED ON
THE FIGHT AGAINST THE WEIMAR “SYSTEM”
UNDERGROUND

88. “IN THE DAWN’S EARLY LIGHT” • ARTISTS DEPLORE THE MURDER WAVE

89. MATTHIAS ERZBERGER
(1875-1921)
JOURNALIST
1903,ELECTED TO REICHSTAG IN
ZENTRUM
1917, SPEECH RENOUNCING
ANNEXATIONS, CALLING FOR PEACE
TALKS
11.11.18 HEAD OF ARMISTICE
DELEGATION
JUNE,’19 FINANCE MINISTER,
ENDORSED SIGNING, “FULFILLMENT”
26 AUG 21 MURDERED BY O.C.

90. o.c. (organization consul)
Wherever we conspirators set foot, in every city
and village, were found a few trusted men--
unconditionally able fanatics. Soldiers of the
Great War in whom the fire of battle still
burned, freebooters who had fought with
Maercker in Saxony, or under Awaloff-
Bermondt in the Baltic ... these were the men
who formed the nucleus.
Friedrich Wilhelm Heinz

91. “Schlagt tot den Walther
Rathenau
Die gottverfluchte
Judensau!”

92. “Schlagt tot den Walther
Rathenau
Die gottverfluchte
Judensau!”
Walter Rathenau
•born to wealth,director AEG
•by 1910 “Germany’s preeminent
industrialist and financier”
•created War Raw Materials Dept
•Foreign Minister, 1920
•24 June 1922, assassinated

93. “WANTED “ POSTER • MURDER SCENE & FUNERAL POSTCARDS

94. Comemorative
Stone
placed at the site of the
crime.
Königsallee, Grünewald,
Berlin.
1946

95. quot;But as great as was the impact of
Rathenau’s death upon German
domestic politics, it left an even greater
mark upon the economic scene. Now the
tumble of the mark could not be stopped.
The dollar, still under 350 on the day of
the murder, climbed to 670 by the end of
July, to 2000 in August, and to 4500 by
the end of October.quot;
Erich Eyck

96. Beer Hall Putsch
8-9 November 1923

97. MUSSOLINI’S BOGUS “MARCH ON ROME”
LED TO THE COLLAPSE OF ITALIAN
PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY. THIS
ENCOURAGED SEVERAL GERMAN RIGHT
WING GROUPS TO CONTEMPLATE A
SIMILAR “MARCH ON BERLIN” TO CAUSE
THE HATED WEIMAR “SYSTEM” TO FALL.
FASCISTI SEIZE GOVERNMENT, OCTOBER, 1922

98. 1923 • FINAL FREIKORPS YEAR
JAN--EVIL “MARIANNE”
INVADES FOR A 3RD TIME
HYPERINFLATION GOES
THROUGH THE ROOF
SUMMER--SCHLAGETER
HOOPLA > END OF
“PASSIVE RESISTANCE
SEPT--“BLACK
REICHSWEHR” MAJ
BUCHRUCHER STAGES
THWARTED COUP

99. NS PUTSCH, 9.XI.23
IN ADDITION TO RÖHM’S SA, MANY OF WHOM WERE FK
ALUMS, OTHERS WERE “PURE” UNDERGROUND FK ALLIES

100. TRIUMPHANTLY POSED FOR THEIR TRIAL
“IT SEEMED TO BE ALL OVER FOR THE NAZI MOVEMENT, BUT
IT WAS ONLY THE END OF THE BEGINNING.” -- JONES