Background
After Germany had lost World War I (1914-1918), the German Revolution of 1918–1919 overthrew the monarchy and a democratic system, the Weimar Republic, was established.
In 1919-1920, Germany's government was formed by the Weimar Coalition consisting of the SPD (social democrats), DDP (left-of-centre liberals) and Zentrum (conservative Catholics). President Friedrich Ebert, Chancellor Gustav Bauer and Defense Minister Gustav Noske were members of the SPD.
The Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919 by Gustav Bauer, even though he disagreed with it. The treaty had been dictated by the victorious allies of World War I and imposed severe reparation payments and military restrictions on Germany.
In early 1919 the strength of the Reichswehr, the regular army, was estimated at 350,000. There were in addition more than 250,000 men enlisted in the various Freikorps (free corps), volunteer paramilitary units largely consisting of returning soldiers from the war. The German government had repeatedly used Freikorp troops to put down Communist uprisings after the war. Under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles which came into effect on 10 January 1920, Germany was required to reduce its armed forces to a maximum of 100,000. Freikorps units were therefore expected to be disbanded.
Read more about this topic: Kapp Putsch
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