raterepublik

• the Raterepublik (Bavarian Socialist Republic) was a left wing opposition to the weimar republic
• on the 8th of november 1918, the People's State of Bavaria declared independence under the leadership of Kurt Eisner (USPD member).
• however, Kurt Eisner was assasinated by right-wing nationalists on February 21st 1919, meaning the peoples' state of bavaria was no more
• Eisner's assassination inspired the raterepublik as communists wanted to take advantage of Germany's political anarchy. it was short-lived, lasting from April 6th to May 3rd of 1919. It was led by Eugen Levine, who envisioned a Russia-like society based on workers' and soldiers' councils.
• the raterepublik attempted radical measures like nationalizing industries, reforming the military, and breaking up large estates. but they were plagued by internal divisions and a lack of public support
• from the 29th april to the 3rd of may, 20,000 freikorps members and 9000 soldiers secured Munich in brutal street fighting, causing between 600-1000 deaths, as well as 800 executions, with many taking place at the Stadelheim prison, including Eugen Levine.
• the government were able to align with the freikorps and mobilise their military to eradicate this threat, and immediately after, a strong citizens defence force of around 400,000 was founded in Bavaria to protect the state from the left