Munich was not Adolf Hitler’s hometown, but it was a critical steppingstone in his political rise. It became the headquarters of the Nazi party and a testing ground for his antisemitic plots to terrorize Munich’s Jews. In 1923, aided by politicians, judges, police, and ordinary residents, Hitler concocted an attempted coup of Bavaria. Even though Hitler’s attempted takeover—known as the beer hall putsch—failed, he would become German chancellor ten years later, because his insurrection was not taken as a real threat to the country’s democracy.
Historian Michael Brenner delves into what happened in Munich, why its transformation is crucial for understanding the Nazi era and the tragedy of the Holocaust, and how a failed coup turned into a successful grab for power many years later.
Brenner's book In Hitler's Munich: Jews, the Revolution, and the Rise of Nazism (Princeton University Press) is available for purchase.
Book Sale Information
Patron Information
- If you register multiple individuals, you will be asked to supply individual names and email addresses so they can receive a Zoom link email. Please note that if there is a change in program schedule or a cancellation, we will notify you via email, and it will be your responsibility to notify other registrants in your group.
- Unless otherwise noted, registration for online programs typically closes two hours prior to the start time on the date of the program.
- Once registered, patrons should receive an automatic email confirmation from CustomerService@SmithsonianAssociates.org.
- Separate Zoom link information will be emailed closer to the date of the program. If you do not receive your Zoom link information 24 hours prior to the start of the program, please email Customer Service for assistance.
- View Common FAQs about our online programs presented on Zoom.
