For those of you who are a bit sketchy on your modern German history, alongside the anniversary of 'Kristallnacht' or 'Reichspogromnacht', it's also the anniversary of the Munich Beer Hall Putsch. Here's something quickly on why that matters... /1 
'The Beer Hall Putsch' was an attempt to take control of Bavaria on the 8/9th of November, 1923. Hitler, as leader of the NSDAP, chose a political meeting at a Munich beer hall to interrupt and announce a coup. /2
It's safe to say that the whole thing was a comedy of errors. Hitler, essentially, had to beg some of the politicians he was essentially holding hostage to support his coup attempt. Communication was dire. The plan had not survived first contact with the enemy. /3
The next day, on the 9th of November, Hitler decided that he needed action. He marched with his NSDAP comrades and SA stormtroopers to... Well, they didn't know where. Whereupon they ran into army & police units and a fight ensued. 20 Nazis and police were killed. /4
This could have been the end - Hitler was badly wounded and the dream looked on the verge of dying. However, the one thing that could have saved it, happened. Hitler was placed on trial, in front of a sympathetic court - and more importantly, media. /5
Throughout his trial, Hitler was allowed to speak for hours - I'm not kidding, he was really. Nobody really curtailed him. He was allowed to cross-question witnesses. All the while, newspapers transcribed and printed what he had to say word for word. /6
What Hitler was talking was pure shite - it really was - but it *sounded* great to a weary, scared German population. He won legions of admirers, many of them among the elite and influential. Then something even more helpful to him happened. /7
Hitler was found guilty and placed in Landsberg Prison, near Augsburg. Better still, he was sent there with quite a few of his NSDAP mates, and given privileges denied normal prisoners. He could have visitors almost every day, got books and a typewriter. /8
Hitler would sit reading, then it's been suggested Rudolf Hess (Second from Right) would come in and type out the ideas that Hitler dictated. This formed the foundation of 'Mein Kampf', a book which was a load of cobblers, but helped him focus his ideas. /9
Basically, the German Weimar state, as it were, give Hitler all the time, resources and media training he'd possibly ever need to become a popular demagogue, during his trial and incarceration. It focused him, it gave him something to work for. /10
When presented with fascists, don't play by their rules. Don't concede ground to them. Don't give them the oxygen to spread their ideas. Repudiate them loudly, and forcefully. Stop them before they can grow into something more deathly persuasive. /11
We are making the same mistakes that plunged the world into darkness just under 75 years ago. In our attempt to ensure that all our voices are heard, we're giving a pulpit those who'd have all voices silenced. Do not ever think it can't happen again. /FIN
Here's the right pic of Hitler & Hess.
