The Kapp Putsch, initiated in March 1920, arose from dissatisfaction with the Weimar Republic's government, particularly among right-wing factions and military elements. After the Treaty of Versailles imposed significant territorial and military restrictions on Germany, many nationalists and former military personnel felt a sense of betrayal and humiliation. Rising economic instability and political fragmentation in the Weimar Republic created fertile ground for radical elements to challenge its authority. Wolfgang Kapp, a former civil servant, took the lead in this coup attempt, rallying the support of the Friekorps, a paramilitary group formed predominantly of World War I veterans.

The coup commenced when elements of the Freikorps occupied key government buildings in Berlin, effectively pushing the legitimate government out of the capital. Kapp and his allies proclaimed a new government, seeking to reinstate a more conservative and militaristic regime. However, the reaction from the German populace was swift; a general strike was called by trade unions across the nation in protest against the coup. This strike effectively paralyzed the city and halted Kapp's operational capabilities. Failing to secure widespread support, the coup collapsed within a few days, leading to Kapp's flight to Sweden.

The Kapp Putsch was significant not only for its immediate inability to sustain power but for its long-term implications for the Weimar Republic. It underscored the prevailing political instability and highlighted the challenges faced by the democratic government in maintaining control over fragmented and often hostile elements within German society. The failure of the putsch also led to increased polarization within German politics, with further radicalization of both the left and right as a reaction to the events, setting the stage for future conflicts in the Weimar period.