Ruhr uprising

A major left-wing workers' revolt in the Ruhr region of Germany (March–April 1920).

Quick Facts: Who was Ruhr uprising?

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Ruhr uprising
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A major left-wing workers' revolt in the Ruhr region of Germany (March–April 1920).
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Origins & Early Life

The Ruhr uprising (German: Ruhraufstand) or March uprising (Märzaufstand) was an uprising that occurred in the Ruhr region of Germany from 13 March to 6 April 1920. It was a left-wing workers' revolt triggered by the call for a general strike in response to the Kapp Putsch, then became an armed rebellion when far-left workers used the strike as an opportunity to attempt the establishment of a council republic. Spontaneously formed workers' councils sprang up across the Ruhr during the strike and took control of the region with the support of 50,000–80,000 armed workers who formed the Red Ruhr Army. Early attempts at suppression by the Freikorps were defeated which led the German government in Berlin to negotiate a peaceful settlement without success. The Reichswehr and other Freikorps troops under the command of Oskar von Watter were sent into the Ruhr and acted with extreme brutality, including summary executions of prisoners and the killing of wounded fighters.

Career & Major Achievements

The Red Ruhr Army was defeated by early April and most surviving rebels were arrested or fled to the French-occupied Rhineland. An estimated 1,000 workers and about 600 Reichswehr and Freikorps soldiers were killed. France briefly occupied some cities in Germany, including Frankfurt and Darmstadt, in response to Reichswehr's activity in the Ruhr. The Social Democratic Party, which had led the governments of the Weimar Republic until then, lost 62 seats in the Reichstag at the June 1920 general election, in part because of the way it had handled the uprising. On 13 March 1920, the Kapp Putsch occurred when right-wing elements attempted to overthrow the elected government of the Weimar Republic.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The Freikorps unit Marinebrigade Ehrhardt marched into Berlin, occupied the government buildings, then installed Wolfgang Kapp as the new Chancellor of Germany and Walther von Lüttwitz as the Minister of Defence. The legitimate government, lacking support from the military, fled Berlin. The Social Democratic Party (SPD) members of Chancellor Gustav Bauer's government called for a general strike to topple the Kapp Putsch. The Communist Party of Germany (KPD), the Independent Social Democrats (USPD) and major trade union associations all supported the SPD's call. The general strike drew around 12 million workers and was crucial in bringing about the Kapp Putsch's collapse on 17 March 1920.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

  1. 1920: 1920 Milestone — The Ruhr uprising (German: Ruhraufstand) or March uprising (Märzaufstand) was an uprising that occurred in the Ruhr region of Germany from 13 March to 6 April 1920.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Ruhr uprising

True or False: “The primary goal of the Red Ruhr Army was to restore the existing Weimar Republic government.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The rebels' aims were revolutionary and hostile to the Weimar Republic, seeking radical social and economic changes like nationalization.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Ruhr uprising

Who was Ruhr uprising and what are their primary contributions?

A major left-wing workers' revolt in the Ruhr region of Germany (March–April 1920). Origins & Early Life: The Ruhr uprising (German: Ruhraufstand) or March uprising (Märzaufstand) was an uprising that occurred in the Ruhr region of Germany from 13 March to 6 April 1920. It was a left-wing workers' revolt triggered by the call for a general strike in response to the Kapp Putsch, then became an armed rebellion when far-left workers used the strike as an opportunity to attempt the establishment of a council republic. Spontaneously formed workers' councils sprang up across the Ruhr during the strike and took control of the region with the support of 50,000–80,000 armed workers who formed the Red Ruhr Army. Early attempts at suppression by the Freikorps were defeated which led the German government in Berlin to negotiate a peaceful settlement without success. The Reichswehr and other Freikorps troops under the command of Oskar von Watter were sent into the Ruhr and acted with extreme brutality, including summary executions of prisoners and the killing of wounded fighters.

Where can I read more verified chronological archives on Ruhr uprising?

Explore verified primary sources, interactive timelines, and contemporary figures in the 2Day Chrono-Wiki encyclopedia or review the original entry on Wikipedia.

Source: Wikipedia