November 1923, saw the German revolt against a French initiative to seize control of Bavaria and to force its secession from Germany proper. Hitler made the decision to respond decisively. “At that time our opponents intended to raise a revolution about the 12th November, and a Bavarian revolution at that . . . As soon as I heard this, I knew that the hour of Germany’s destiny was approaching. Then I formed the resolution to strike four days before our opponents and so seize for our side the initiative.” – Putsch Anniversary Speech, 1937