Erich Ludendorff, a prominent German general and military strategist during World War I, later emerged as a pivotal figure in post-war German politics. As a key player in the German High Command, Ludendorff played a decisive role in the war's course, particularly on the Eastern Front. After Germany's defeat, he became a key leader of the right-wing paramilitary organization, the Freikorps, and played a significant role in the failed Kapp Putsch, an attempt to overthrow the Weimar Republic. Ludendorff's later political views became increasingly radical, embracing extreme nationalism and anti-Semitism. He remained a controversial and polarizing figure throughout his life, known both for his military acumen and his involvement in political extremism.