Why did the Communists’ attempts at revolution in Germany and Hungary fail in 1919? The Communist attempts at revolution in Germany and Hungary in 1919 failed for a variety of reasons:
Lack of Unity:
The Communist movements in both countries were fragmented, with various factions pursuing different strategies and goals. This lack of unity weakened their ability to mount a cohesive challenge to the existing governments.
Opposition from Established Powers:
The Communist revolutions faced strong opposition from the established political and military powers. In Germany, the government, backed by the Freikorps (paramilitary groups of ex-soldiers), crushed the Spartacist uprising. In Hungary, the Soviet Republic was opposed by both internal forces (like the Hungarian National Army) and external forces (such as Romania).
Economic Turmoil:
Both Germany and Hungary were facing severe economic crises in the aftermath of World War I. However, the Communist movements failed to effectively address these economic issues or provide viable solutions, which weakened their support among the general population.
Lack of Mass Support:
Despite pockets of support among workers and some segments of the population, the Communist movements failed to gain widespread support. In Germany, for example, the majority of the working class remained loyal to the more moderate Social Democratic Party rather than aligning with the Communists.
External Intervention:
External powers, particularly neighboring countries and the Western allies, intervened militarily to support the established governments and suppress the Communist uprisings. This military intervention further weakened the revolutionary movements and contributed to their eventual defeat.
Leadership and Strategy:
In both Germany and Hungary, the Communist leadership faced challenges in terms of strategy and organization. Internal divisions, tactical errors, and a lack of coherent leadership all contributed to the failure of the revolutions.
Overall, a combination of internal divisions, external opposition, economic turmoil, and strategic weaknesses led to the failure of the Communist attempts at revolution in Germany and Hungary in 1919.
