Why was Bavaria a center of right-wing opposition to the Weimar Republic?

Bavaria became a primary center of right-wing opposition to the Weimar Republic due to a combination of political, ideological, and regional factors:

• Anti-Republican Sentiment: The state was dominated by the Bavarian People’s Party, which openly held anti-republican and particularist views. Many in the region sympathized with proposals to restore the Wittelsbach monarchy.1
• Shelter for Extremists: Bavarian authorities frequently refused to enforce national security measures against right-wing paramilitary organizations and extremist groups, including Adolf Hitler’s National Socialists. This made Munich a safe haven for those seeking to overthrow the republic.1
• Conflict with Berlin: The state government often strained relations with the central government in Berlin by refusing to disband paramilitary groups or lift states of emergency that were applied primarily against the left.12
• Judicial Leniency: Bavaria retained its own people’s courts (Volksgerichte), which operated outside normal procedures and often showed marked leniency toward right-wing political terrorism.12