Right-Wing Putsches (1920-1923)
Here's where things get really messy - the same Freikorps that saved the republic then tried to destroy it! The Kapp Putsch in March 1920 happened because the Treaty of Versailles forced Germany to disband these paramilitary units.
General Lüttwitz refused orders and marched 12,000 troops to Berlin, backed by politician Wolfgang Kapp. When Ebert ordered the regular army to stop them, General von Seekt famously replied: "troops don't fire on troops." Awkward! Luckily, trade unions called a general strike that paralysed Berlin and the putsch collapsed within four days.
The Munich Putsch of November 1923 was Hitler's first attempt at power during the hyperinflation crisis. The future dictator and his SA stormtroopers tried to force Bavaria's leader to support their revolution in a Munich beer hall. Despite having General Ludendorff's backing, the army crushed the revolt.
Sixteen Nazis died in the shooting, and Hitler got five years in prison (though he only served nine months). This failed putsch actually helped launch Hitler's political career through his trial publicity.
Key Point: These right-wing revolts were more dangerous than the communist ones because they had support within the army and government structures.