From Adolf Hitler to Yevgeny Prigozhin: Fate of persons who led failed coup attempts

The attempted coup led by Wagner mercenary group chief Yevgeny Progozhin on June 23-24 has yet again re-ignited the debate around political fallout of failed coup attempts and the fate of such leaders in the past. A look into the political history in the countries where power-tussles led to attempted coup indicates that the repercussions of a failed coup attempt could be severe for both—the political establishments as well as the countrymen.   

From the infamous Beer Hall Putsch in 1923 to recent attempts to overthrow leaders like Erdogen, Gorbachev, Saddam Hussain, Sukarno, and Charles de Gaulle, among others, the aftermath of coup attempts is a stark reminder of the severe impacts a nation can face.

Here’s a look at the fate of some failed coup attempts and the fate of the leaders involved in those incidents.

Beer Hall Putsch (November, 1923)

The failed coup attempt known as the Beer Hall Putsch was led by Adolf Hitler in Munich in 1923. It aimed to overthrow the Weimar Republic and establish Nazi rule. Although the coup was unsuccessful, it propelled Hitler to the forefront of German Politics, eventually leading to his ascent as the dictator of Nazi Germany. Hitler’s fate, however, ended tragically in 1945, as he died by suicide in his bunker during the final days of World War II.

Charles de Gaulle (August, 1962)

French President Charles de Gaulle faced an assassination attempt in 1962 by a right-wing extremist organisation. De Gaulle survived the attack, and the organisation’s leaders were arrested and tried for their involvement. De Gaulle remained in power until 1969 till he lost a national referendum.

Sukarno (1965)

Indonesian President Sukarno experienced a failed coup attempt in 1965 by elements within the military. The coup ultimately failed, but it led to a brutal crackdown on suspected communist sympathisers, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. Sukarno’s leadership diminished, and he was eventually replaced by General Suharto.

Soviet Coup Attempt (August, 1991)

In the Soviet Union, a failed coup against General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev in August 1991 marked a turning point in the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The coup plotters, who sought to reverse Gorbachev’s reforms, were arrested, and their actions accelerated the collapse of the USSR. Gorbachev himself survived the coup attempt, but his political influence waned, and he eventually resigned from office, ending his tenure as the last leader of the Soviet Union.

Saddam Hussain (1995)

Saddam Hussain, the former Iraqi dictator, faced multiple coup attempts throughout his rule. In 1995, it had been four years since the US defeated Saddam in the Gulf War. He won because of his large army. Later in 2003, the invasion of Iraq happened, where Saddam Hussain was captured, tried, and executed, bringing an end to his tyrannical reign.

Tayyip Erdogen (2016)

A failed coup attempt against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogen in July 2016 sought to undermine his government. Erdogen managed to thwart the coup and embarked on a widespread crackdown on those involved, leading to thousands of arrests and dismissals. The coup’s ringleaders faced trial, and some were handed life sentences, while others were sentenced to lengthy prison terms, forever altering their political trajectories.

Yevgeny Prigozhin (2023)

Yevgeny, a Russian oligarch and ally of President Vladimir Putin, has been linked to various covert activities, including alleged interference in foreign elections. While not directly involved in a failed coup, Prigozhin’s name has surfaced in relation to covert operations aimed at influencing political outcomes.

History continues to serve as a reminder of the tumultuous nature of coup attempts and their far-reaching consequences for a country.