Resolution of the Revolutionäre Zentralrat about the Surrender of all Weapons in the Possession of the “Bourgeoisie“, 11 April 1919

The Munich Soviet government took some coercive measures that turned out to be highly unpopular. It reached some of these decisions out of ideological conviction, but was forced to take others because of the difficult situation in the state capital. The latter include an order to limit cash withdrawals to a certain maximum amount, which was intended to prevent a possible flight of capital.

In addition, on 11 April, the Provisorische Revolutionäre Zentralrat announced on posters that all members of the "bourgeoisie" were to hand over their weapons to the Munich Stadtkommandantur (city military headquarters) within 24 hours. Failure to do so, would result in a revolutionary tribunal. After the deadline, house searches would be carried out. The situation was exacerbated by the plans of the Zentralrat to arm the "proletariat" in return. The bourgeois camp interpreted this measure as being placed under general suspicion by the Soviet government as wanting to fight the revolution by force of arms. The result of such orders ultimately meant that parts of the Munich population distanced itselves from the revolution. The apprehension circulated that Soviet Russian conditions would arise in Bavaria. The majority therefore wanted a swift abolition of the Soviet Republic.

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