While hyperinflation and the occupation of the Ruhr area in 1923 had thrown Germany into an economic and political crisis that threatened to spiral out of control, both the political Left and Right called for the deposition of the Weimar government. Bavaria had developed into a stronghold of anti-democratic sentiment during the first years of the Republic, as not only the Republic’s centralist structure met with resistance, but also its left-wing government in the capital Berlin, a city decried as a “bastion of sin.” In Munich, Adolf Hitler, by now party leader of the Nazi Party (NSDAP), attempted an armed coup on November 8-9, 1923 to depose the government in Berlin and install himself as dictator. For military support he called on General Erich Ludendorff. The putsch quickly failed however, and Hitler and his supporters were stopped by the Bavarian state police. 20 people died in the armed clashes. After the attempted putsch, the NSDAP was banned nationwide. This photo taken on November 9, 1923 shows putschists arresting members of the Munich city council after they had declared the local government deposed. The heavily armed putschists are wearing Reichswehr uniforms while a member of the SA, identified by his swastika armband, can be seen on the right.