Viking League

The Viking League (German: Bund Wiking) was a German political and paramilitary organization in existence from 1923 to 1928. It was founded on May 2nd, 1923 in Munich by members of the banned Organization Consul as the successor to this group.[1]

Its primary purpose was to contribute to preparations for the overthrow of the Weimar Government and provide intensive military training for its members. Membership was estimated to be about 10,000 persons, including many former military officers.[2] Juvenile supporters could join the Young Vikings (Jungwiking) youth wing.

Leaders of the group included former Marinebrigade Ehrhardt founder Hermann Ehrhardt and his deputy, Commander Eberhard Kautter. Many leaders of other banned or controversial right-wing organizations used membership in the Viking League as a way of keeping continuity for their causes. For example, this included later Nazi Reich Health Leader Leonardo Conti, who had founded the anti-semitic newspaper Kampfbund in 1918.[3]

The stated aim of the League was the establishment of a new German military dictatorship and modification of the Treaty of Versailles by armed means. This included targeted provocation intended to incite workers to take action and provide the pretext for a coup. When these preparations became known to the federal government in 1926, the Viking League was banned in Prussia and other areas.

After the dissolution of the Weimar government at the end of April 1928, many Viking League members continued their activities in related organizations such as the Stahlhelm or the SA.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Hübner, Christoph. "Historical Lexicon of Bavaria: Viking League, 1923-1928 (German language page)". www.historisches-lexikon-bayerns.de. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  2. ↑ Longerich, Peter (Apr 15, 2010). Holocaust: The Nazi Persecution and Murder of the Jews. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. p. 14. ISBN 978-0199600731.
  3. ↑ Thomas Maibaum: Die Führerschule der deutschen Ärzteschaft Alt-Rehse. Universität Hamburg, Dissertation im FB Medizin, 2007, S. 242 (online at the DNB Archives).
  4. ↑ Mommsen, Hans (Mar 1, 1998). The Rise and Fall of Weimar Democracy. UNC Press. p. 231.
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