On 26 September 1923, following a period of turmoil and political violence, Bavarian Prime Minister Eugen von Knilling declared a state of emergency and
Gustav von Kahr was appointed
, or state commissioner, with dictatorial powers to govern the state. In addition to von Kahr, Bavarian state police chief Colonel Hans Ritter von Seisser and Reichswehr General Otto von Lossow formed a ruling triumvirate. Hitler announced that he would hold 14 mass meetings beginning on 27 September 1923. Afraid of the potential disruption, one of Kahr's first actions was to ban the announced meetings. Hitler was under pressure to act. The Nazis, with other leaders in the
Kampfbund, felt they had to march upon Berlin and seize power or their followers would turn to the Communists. Meanwhile, on 5 October 1923 Kahr closed the Nazi paper
Völkischer Beobachter for ten days. Kahr also announced a surprise speech at the
Bürgerbräu Keller. The putsch was inspired by
Benito Mussolini's successful
March on Rome, from 22 to 29 October 1922. Hitler and his associates planned to use Munich as a base for a march against Germany's
Weimar Republic government. Hitler came to the realization that Kahr sought to control him and was not ready to act against the government in Berlin. Hitler wanted to seize a critical moment for successful popular agitation and support. The putsch was planned on 7 November in a hasty decision in Kriebel's apartment. Not all members were notified. For the purpose of communicating, the party used two pieces of paper; one colored red meaning "the real thing" and the other white signifying a practice run. They chose to pass the white tag out. At the time of the putsch, only 2000 members of the
Kampfbund were in Munich. On 8 November 1923, the putsch went forward, but failed. ==SA units and leaders==