Germany 1918-45: Rize of the Hitler + Nazis

When was the German workers party founded and who by?

1919

Anton Drexler

What were the views of the German Workers Party?

Democracy was weak and Germany needed a strong powerful leader to rebuild its strength

Jews were to blame for making Germany weak

Communists and socialists had brought about the fall of the Kaiser

The socialist Weimar politicians had betrayed Germany by signing ToV

When did Hitler join the German Workers Party?

September 1919

When was Hitler put in charge of propaganda for the party?

February 1920

What changes did Hitler make to the party in 1920?

Hitler and Drexler rewrote the aims of the party - revised aims published in 25 point programme

The party was renamed the National Socialist German Workers Party (NSDAP) or Nazi Party

When was Hitler made leader of the Nazi party?

1921

What did the Nazis believe about a strong Germany?

Undo ToV and expand the armed forces

Economic strength as well

What did the Nazis believe about autarky?

Self sufficiency

Shouldn't have to rely on importing any goods from abroad

What did the Nazis believe about social darwinism?

A belief that stronger countries would defeat weaker ones "survival of the fittest"

Also a belief that the aryan race (white Europeans) were superior

What did the Nazis believe about Lebensraum?

Lebensraum = living space

Wants to expand Germany and take over other countries

Move east

What did the Nazis believe about social and ethnic cleansing?

Eliminate Jews and communists from German society

What was the SA?

- Paramilitary force, originally consisted of WW1 soldiers, then unemployed men

- Organised like army, wore brown military uniforms 'brownshirts'

- Undisciplined violence, protected Nazi leaders, intimidated opponents and fought political groups on the streets

When did Hitler set up the SA and who did he initially make leader?

August 1921

Ernst Rohm

What was the Munich putsch also known as?

Beer Hall Putsch

When did the Munich Putsch take place?

8th-9th November 1923

What caused the Munich Putsch?

Weak government.

Hyperinflation caused riots.

Germans angry at French invasion of Rhur

What happened on 8th of Nov 1923? (Munich Putsch Events)

- Hitler + 600 SA entered beer hall in Munich where Bavarian govt were meeting

- Force Kahr who was bavarian pm and Lossow who was head of German army in Bavaria to support the putsch

What happened on 9th of Nov 1923? (Munich Putsch Events)

- Ebert declared state of emergency and Lossow told to crush uprising

- Lossow and Kahr announced opposition

- 2000 Nazis marched into Munich attempting to take over

- Armed forces confronted Nazis and fired on them contrary to what Ludendorff thought

- 14 Nazis killed, hitler fled, captured 2 days later

What were the results of the Munich putsch?

Hitler's humiliating efforts threw him into prison for five years, which soon became nine months. During this time he wrote Mein Kampf, his autobiography, which was quickly established as a bible of the NSDAP. Hitler also began the restructuring of his rise to power. The Nazi party were banned with massive publicity, only to be permitted again two years later.

What benefits did Hitlers trial have for him?

Gave him a platform to spread his rhetoric to the whole country as this trial was highly covered by the media

When was hitler released from jail?

December 1924

What was the structure that hitler put inlace within his party?

Order of power:

Hitler

The SS

Leadership Corps (local Nazi party officials)

The SA

Party membership (normal people)

Hitler Youth

What was the SS?

Hitler's elite security force

Setup in 1925

When was the Bamburg conference?

February 1926

What was discussed at the Bamburg conference?

Responding to tensions between the northern and southern sections of the party

Northern section wanted to follow the more socialist elements of the 25 point program to gain the support of the workers

Southern section was more interested in pursuing the nationalist and racist policies

What did Hitler decide at the Bamburg conference?

Policies that could be painted as communist such as taking land off of rich noblemen wouldn't be pursued

Established the "Fuhrerprinzip" which was the idea that the party leader (Hitler) was in absolute control

Nazi election results by year

May 1924

6.5% of vote, 6th biggest party

December 1924

3% of vote, 9th biggest party

May 1928

2.6% of vote, 9th biggest party

Sep 1930

18.3% of vote, 2nd biggest party

What happened between 1928 and 1930 that boosted hitlers popularity?

The Wall Street crash, Great Depression

How did the Wall Street crash effect Germany?

American banks recalled all their loans which were given in the Dawes plan

These were propping up the German economy

What were the consequences of the Great Depression?

Rise in unemployment 1.4->2 mil

Hit 6.1 mil at peak

People turning to extremist parties as they felt they were being let down by the government

What undermined the German faith in democracy?

Bruning who was the chancellor cut government spending on unemployment pay and other categories to curb inflation

Had to get Hindenburg to pass article 48 for this to happen

What happened in the July 1932 elections?

The nazi party became the biggest party in Germany with 37.3 percent of the vote

How does Hitler become chancellor?

- Hindenburg doesn't like hitler

- Makes Von Papen chancellor instead

- He can't control reichstag

- Have new elections and Nazi party still biggest party in 1932

- Hindenburg still don't appoint hitler and appoints von schleicher

- He can't control reichstag

- Von Papen persuades Hindenburg to make Hitler chancellor but only if the Nazi party on have 2/11 cabinet ministers and he will be vice chancellor

- Hitler is made chancellor

When was Hitler made chancellor?

30th Jan 1933