GCSE History - Weimar and Nazi Germany (Key Topic 2)

Adolf Hitler: Background

Adolf Hitler was the son of an Austrian customs official and came from a dysfunctional background where he witnessed his alcoholic father use violence.

Adolf Hitler: WWI Record

He served in the German army during World War One and was awarded the Iron Cross for his bravery.

DAP: Founder and Joining

The German Workers' Party (DAP) was set up by Anton Drexler, and Hitler joined the group in 1919.

July 1921: Party Leadership

Hitler became the leader of the party in July 1921 and renamed it the National Socialist German Workers' Party, or Nazi Party for short.

Early Nazi Symbols (1920)

In 1920, Hitler introduced the swastika and the straight-armed salute to make the party more recognizable.

Nazi Ideology: Treaty of Versailles

One of the core Nazi beliefs was the total abolition of the Treaty of Versailles.

Nazi Ideology: Economy

The Nazis believed that all large industries and businesses should be nationalized by the state.

Nazi Ideology: Race and Citizenship

They believed that only "true Germans" should live in Germany and that only German citizens should be allowed to vote in elections.

Nazi Ideology: Expansion

The party demanded land and colonies to create "Lebensraum," which means living space for the German people.

Nazi Ideology: Social Darwinism

The Nazis believed in Social Darwinism, which is the idea of "survival of the fittest" applied to different races.

People's Observer (Dec 1920)

In December 1920, the NSDAP bought the "People's Observer" newspaper for 180,000 marks to spread their political message.

Hitler's Munich Speeches

Hitler became famous in Munich for his rousing speeches where he called the government "November Criminals" and blamed Jews for Germany's problems.

NSDAP Gatherings (1919-1920)

There were 46 party gatherings held between November 1919 and November 1920 to build support.

Hitler as Star Speaker

Out of the 46 party gatherings held in the first year, Hitler was the star speaker on 31 occasions.

NSDAP Membership Growth (1920)

The party grew from 1,000 members in June 1920 to 3,000 members by December 1920.

The SA (Brownshirts): August 1921

Hitler set up the SA in August 1921 as a paramilitary group to protect Nazis and disrupt the meetings of political opponents.

The SA: Purpose and Tactics

The SA used violence against opponents and marched in uniforms to give the public an impression of order and discipline.

Ernst Röhm and the SA

Ernst Röhm, a close friend of Hitler, was put in charge of leading the SA.

SA Membership (August 1922)

By August 1922, the SA had grown to include 800 members.

NSDAP Membership (Nov 1923)

By the time of the Munich Putsch in November 1923, the Nazi Party had grown to 55,000 members.

Munich Putsch: Date

The Munich Putsch took place on the 8th of November 1923.

Munich Putsch: Influence

Hitler was inspired to attempt the putsch by the success of the Italian leader, Mussolini.

Munich Putsch: Economic Cause

Hitler decided to act because hyperinflation was at its worst and the Weimar government was facing extreme opposition.

Munich Putsch: Political Cause

The Weimar government was seen as weak following the French occupation of the Ruhr in January 1923.

Munich Putsch: The Beer Hall

Hitler and 600 SA men burst into the Munich Beer Hall and held the Bavarian Prime Minister, Kahr, at gunpoint.

Munich Putsch: Hitler's Mistake

Hitler left General Ludendorff in charge of the prisoners, but Ludendorff was tricked into letting them go.

Munich Putsch: 9th Nov 1923

3,000 Nazis marched into Munich but were met by the army and police, resulting in the deaths of 16 Nazis and 4 policemen.

Munich Putsch: Legal Result

Hitler, Goering, Röhm, and Ludendorff were arrested and charged with high treason following the failed uprising.

Nazi Party Ban

The Nazi Party was banned by the government until February 1925.

Munich Putsch Result: Publicity

Hitler’s trial gave him national publicity and allowed him to make speeches attacking the weaknesses of the Weimar Republic.

Munich Putsch Result: Strategy Shift

Hitler realized that seizing power by force would not work and that the Nazis must win power through democratic elections.

Hitler's Prison Sentence

Hitler was sentenced to five years in Landsberg Prison, but he was released after serving only nine months.

Mein Kampf: Key Ideas

While in prison, Hitler wrote "Mein Kampf," which outlined his beliefs in Aryan supremacy and the need for a single strong leader.

Mein Kampf: Lebensraum

Hitler wrote that Germany needed to gain "Lebensraum" (living space) by conquering land in the East and the Soviet Union.

Mein Kampf: Volksgemeinschaft

Hitler wanted to create a "people’s community" where the strongest race would dominate those he regarded as inferior.

The SS (1925)

The SS was set up in 1925 to act as Hitler's personal bodyguard because he did not fully trust the SA.

SS Membership Growth

The SS was a small elite group that grew to have 3,000 members by 1930.

Party Reorganization: Gauleiters

Hitler divided Germany into 35 regions and appointed a "Gauleiter" in each to spread Nazi ideas and drum up support.

Bamberg Conference (Feb 1926)

Hitler called the Bamberg Conference to end party divisions, establish his total control, and move away from socialist policies.

Point 17 Amendment (1928)

In 1928, Hitler amended the 25-Point Programme to say that land would only be confiscated if it was owned by a Jew.

Nazi Use of Technology

The Nazis used modern technology like loudspeakers, planes, and films to reach more voters and appeal to the youth.

Alfred Hugenberg (1929)

Hitler joined an alliance with the media mogul Alfred Hugenberg, which allowed Nazi messages to spread in newspapers with a wide circulation.

Wall Street Crash (Oct 1929)

The Wall Street Crash led to a global depression that caused German unemployment to reach 6 million by 1932.

"Work and Bread"

During the Depression, the Nazis used simple slogans like "Work and Bread" to appeal to desperate unemployed workers.

Chancellor Brüning (1930-1932)

Chancellor Brüning was known as the "Hunger Chancellor" because he cut benefits and relied on Article 48 to pass laws.

July 1932 Election Result

The Nazis became the largest party in the Reichstag in July 1932 after winning 230 seats.

The Backstairs Intrigue (Jan 1933)

Von Papen convinced President Hindenburg to appoint Hitler as Chancellor because he believed he could "tame" him.

30th January 1933

Adolf Hitler was legally appointed as the Chancellor of Germany, marking the end of his rise to power.