[2][3] Units of the Citizens' Defense had existed throughout Germany since the revolution as a modification of the reactionary Freikorps militia with the purpose of quickly reinforcing cities against revolutionary forces by recruiting small groups of civilians.

[6] This is in part because Bavarian nationalism and anti-republicanism flourished as many of its politicians, Army officers, and commoners desired a restoration of the House of Wittelsbach monarchy in defiance of Berlin.

"[8] In addition, Bavarian Minister-President Gustav von Kahr protected the Citizens' Defense by telling the British ambassador that there was "no militarism in the idea".

[13] After the failed Kapp Putsch of 1920, the Citizens' Defense was ordered dissolved, but Bavaria refused, keeping its unit in existence for another year.

[16] In March of 1921, the Allies, citing the Treaty of Versailles, demanded the dissolution of the illegal paramilitary and occupied two German cities along the Rhine.

(The fighting had been brought about by the controversy over the results of the plebiscite that had been held there to determine whether Upper Silesia would be controlled by Germany or Poland.