The Bavarian Conundrum: Why Is Bavaria So Hated?

There are several reasons why some people may dislike or hate the German state of Bavaria. One of the main reasons is the perception of arrogance and tribalism among Bavarians, who often see themselves as Bavarians first and Germans second. This sense of cultural identity and autonomy has led to calls for Bavarian independence, with some nationalists considering the incorporation of Bavaria into Germany in 1871 as controversial. Additionally, the success and wealth of Bavaria, particularly the football club Bayern Munich, has bred resentment, with some accusing the club of hijacking star players from other teams.

Bayern Munich's success

Bayern Munich, officially known as Fußball-Club Bayern München e. V. (FCB), is a German professional sports club based in Munich, Bavaria. It is best known for its professional men's association football team, which plays in the Bundesliga, the top tier of the German football league system.

Bayern Munich has enjoyed tremendous success in German and European football. Here is an overview of their achievements:

Domestic Success:

Bayern Munich is the most successful club in German football history, having won a record 33 national titles, including 11 consecutive titles from 2013 to 2023. They have also won a record 20 national cups. In the 2020-21 season, Bayern won their ninth Bundesliga title in a row.

In addition to their league and cup triumphs, Bayern has a rich history of producing top goalscorers. Gerd Müller, Robert Lewandowski, and Thomas Müller are among the club's all-time leading scorers. Gerd Müller, known as "Der Bomber," won the Bundesliga's top scorer award seven times and set a single-season record of 40 league goals in 1971-72. Lewandowski broke that record in the 2020-21 season, scoring 41 goals. Thomas Müller, a versatile attacker, is renowned for his ability to find the back of the net and provide assists.

European Success:

Bayern Munich has also achieved significant success in European competitions. They have won six European Cup/UEFA Champions League titles, a record for a German club, with their sixth title coming in 2020. They are one of five clubs to have won all three of UEFA's main club competitions and the only German club to achieve that feat. Bayern has won numerous other European honours, including the UEFA Cup, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup.

In the 2012-13 season, Bayern became the first German team to win the treble of the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal (German Cup), and UEFA Champions League. They repeated this feat in the 2019-20 season, becoming the second European club after Barcelona to achieve two trebles. In 2020, Bayern also won the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup, completing an unprecedented sextuple of trophies in a single year.

Factors Contributing to Bayern Munich's Success:

• Strong Squad Depth: The club has had a deep squad with quality players even beyond the starting eleven, allowing for rotation and fresh legs throughout a long season.
• Team Spirit and Work Ethic: Bayern's teams have often been characterised by strong team spirit and a relentless work ethic, with players subordinating individual desires for the collective success.
• Quality Players and Leadership: Bayern has consistently attracted and developed world-class players, such as Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, and more recently, Manuel Neuer, Robert Lewandowski, and Thomas Müller. The club has also been led by renowned coaches like Jupp Heynckes and Ottmar Hitzfeld.
• Financial Stability: Bayern Munich has the largest revenue of any German sports club and is one of the highest-earning football clubs globally. This financial muscle has enabled them to invest in top players and infrastructure.
• Consistent Strategy: The club has maintained a consistent strategy focused on youth development and a strong local fan base, rather than solely relying on signing star players.

Bavarian nationalism

Bavaria was politically and culturally more aligned with Catholic Austria than Protestant Prussia, and Bavarians shared a mutual contempt for Prussians with Austrians. This led Bavaria to side with Austria in the Austro-Prussian War, which ended in their defeat and the loss of a large indemnity payment to Prussia. As a result, Bavaria joined the Prussian-founded German Empire in 1871, but Bavarian nationalists opposed Prussian domination of the German state and refused further integration.

After Germany's defeat in World War I, Bavarian nationalism gained momentum, finding support among both revolutionary and reactionary political movements. Following the collapse of Austria-Hungary, there were proposals for Austria to join Bavaria, particularly regarding the incorporation of North Tyrol and Upper Austria into Bavaria. This idea gained traction among significant numbers of North Tyrolese in Austria.

During the post-World War I period, Bavarian nationalism was associated with anti-Prussian and anti-Semitic sentiments. The Bavarian Soviet Republic, an independent communist state, was established after the Bavarian monarchy was overthrown during the post-World War I revolution. However, it eventually collapsed.

In the 1920s and 1930s, Bavarian nationalists competed with the rising Nazi Party for support. Even by the 1932 election, the Nazis had failed to surpass the Catholic Bavarian People's Party in southern Bavaria, winning only the Protestant areas of Franconia. After the Nazi takeover, the new government claimed to have uncovered several Bavarian separatist plots, which they used as a pretext to suppress Bavarian opposition and overthrow the Bavarian government.

In the 1950s, the separatist Bavaria Party, advocating for Bavarian independence within the European Union, gained political success, polling between 5% and over 20% in state and federal elections. However, their popularity declined significantly in subsequent decades. In recent years, the party has seen a slight resurgence, winning a small number of seats in various administrative regions of Bavaria.

In a 2017 poll, 32% of Bavarians expressed support for the idea of independence, indicating that Bavarian nationalism continues to have a presence in the region.

Tribal understanding of cultural identity

The concept of tribalism refers to the state of being organized by or advocating for tribes or tribal lifestyles. It implies a strong cultural or ethnic identity that separates members of one group from another, based on proximity, kinship, and mutual survival.

In the context of Bavaria, the region has a strong tribal understanding of its cultural identity, which has contributed to its reputation in Germany. Before its incorporation into the German Empire in 1918, Bavarians held a strong sense of tradition and isolation from other German territories, particularly Prussia. This sense of tribalism has persisted to some extent, with Bavarians taking pride in their distinct culture, which includes unique traditions, languages, and practices.

The Bavarian tribal identity is shaped by its history, language, and cultural practices. Bavarians have traditionally viewed themselves as separate from other Germans, and this sense of distinction has contributed to their reputation as conservative, arrogant, and "hillbillies." This perception is further reinforced by factors such as their accent, educational system, and political leanings.

However, it is important to note that modern Bavaria has evolved beyond its historical tribalism. While Bavarians still hold a strong sense of cultural identity, they also actively participate in the broader German society and contribute to the country's success. For instance, Bavaria has provided financial aid to other German states during times of crisis and has a history of helping football clubs in the Bundesliga facing financial difficulties.

In conclusion, while Bavaria's tribal understanding of its cultural identity has played a role in shaping its reputation in Germany, it is not the sole factor. The interplay between Bavaria's distinct cultural identity and its active participation in the broader German society has led to a complex dynamic that goes beyond simple tribalism.

Wealth and autonomy

Bavaria is the richest state in Germany, and its capital, Munich, is home to the country's most successful football club, Bayern Munich. The club's dominance in German football, with its dozens of trophies and its hijacking of star players from other clubs, has led to resentment from fans of other teams. This dynamic is reflected in the broader context of Bavaria's wealth and autonomy relative to the rest of Germany.

Bavaria, officially known as the Free State of Bavaria, is the largest German state by land area, comprising roughly a fifth of Germany's total land area. It is also the most autonomous state, with many Bavarians identifying as Bavarians first and Germans second. This strong sense of cultural identity and tribalism has led to perceptions of arrogance and elitism by the rest of the country.

Historically, Bavarian nationalism has been a strong political movement, particularly after the Kingdom of Bavaria was incorporated into the German Empire in 1871. Bavarian nationalists opposed Prussian domination of the German state and desired more autonomy for their region. This sentiment persisted after World War I, when Bavarian nationalism became associated with anti-Prussian and anti-Semitic tendencies, and proposals emerged for Austria to join Bavaria.

In the 1920s and 1930s, Bavarian nationalists and the nascent Nazi Party competed for support in the region, with the Nazis eventually suppressing Bavarian opposition and claiming the existence of separatist plots. During World War II, Bavarian support for the war effort waned as it neared its conclusion, and Bavarian nationalism reemerged, seeking Allied support for an independent Bavaria.

In the post-war period, the Bavaria Party advocated for Bavarian independence and polled up to 20% in state and federal elections during the 1950s. While support for the party has declined in subsequent decades, a 2017 poll found that 32% of Bavarians still supported the idea of independence, reflecting a continued desire for autonomy and a sense of distinct identity from the rest of Germany.

Bavarian Soviet Republic

The Bavarian Soviet Republic, also known as the Munich Soviet Republic, was a short-lived socialist state in Bavaria, lasting just a few weeks from its establishment in April 1919 until its collapse in May 1919.

The republic was formed in the aftermath of World War I, during a period of political instability in Germany. Inspired by Bolshevik ideas, left-wing socialist journalist and politician Kurt Eisner proclaimed the People's State of Bavaria in November 1918, becoming its first Minister-President. However, he faced opposition from both the political right and other left-wing factions.

In the January 1919 elections, Eisner's party suffered a humiliating defeat, winning less than three per cent of the vote. A month later, on February 21, 1919, Eisner was assassinated by the right-wing nationalist Anton Graf von Arco auf Valley. This event further inflamed the chaotic political situation in Bavaria.

On April 6 or 7, 1919, a group of idealistic pacifists and anarchists, including the poet and playwright Ernst Toller, Gustav Landauer, and Erich Mühsam, proclaimed the Bavarian Soviet Republic. Toller was declared the leader of the revolutionary government, which became known as "the regime of the coffeehouse anarchists."

The new government was ill-equipped to govern and faced both internal and external challenges. Toller's brief regime was characterised by bold declarations without real enforcement. For example, the minister for public housing published a decree stating that no house could have more than three rooms, and that the living room must always be above the kitchen and bedroom.

On April 12 or 13, 1919, just six days into Toller's regime, the Communist Party of Germany (KPD) seized power, with Eugen Leviné as the new head of state. Leviné began to enact more communist reforms, including forming a "Red Army" from factory workers, seizing cash, food supplies, and privately owned guns, and expropriating apartments to give to the homeless.

The Bavarian Soviet Republic faced opposition from Hoffmann's counter-revolutionary government, which was seated in Bamberg, in northern Bavaria. On April 18, 1919, the rival governments clashed militarily at Dachau, with the Soviet Republic's forces emerging victorious in the first battle. However, Hoffmann received support from additional Freikorps troops, and on May 1, 1919, the Freikorps broke through the Munich defences, leading to bitter street fighting.

The Freikorps retook the city at the beginning of May, and the violence resulted in the deaths of at least 606 people, more than half of whom were civilians. Leviné was later condemned to death for treason and executed. The Bavarian Soviet Republic was crushed, and the Free State of Bavaria was established within the Weimar Republic on August 14, 1919.

The short-lived republic had lasting impacts on Bavarian society, contributing to a shift towards the political right and stoking fear and hatred of "bolshevism". The period was remembered as one of shortages, censorship, restrictions on freedom, violence, and general disorder, and it helped to pave the way for the rise of radical movements, including Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party.

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