Factors facilitating Hitler's rise to power

What did Hitler become convinced of while in prison?

Convinced that:

• He must establish his own absolute control over the party.

• An armed coup was no longer an appropriate tactic.

What did Hitler say in 1924?

‘We shall have to hold our noses and enter the Reichstag against the Catholic and Marxist deputies. If out-voting them takes longer than shooting them, at least the process will be guaranteed by their own    constitution. 

Any lawful process is slow.’

              1924

What happened despite Hitler’s recognising a need for a change in tactics?

Despite recognising this need for a change in tactics, the party remained deeply divided.

Why was the Nazi party so divided?

• Not everyone agreed with Hitler’s new policy of legality.

• Traditional regional hostilities continued to exist, particularly between its power base in Bavaria and the branches in Northern Germany.

• Policy differences had now become even more pronounced between the nationalist and anti-capitalist wings of the party.

Why did Gregor Strasser become a problem for Hitler?

Gregor Strasser became a severe problem for Hitler as a supporter of the anti-capitalist wing.

Favoured more socialist anti-capitalist policies for the workers and essentially led a movement in northern Germany.

When did Strasser join the party?

He joined the party in 1920, and stood loyally in the Munich Putsch, however, he was still against the nationalist wings.

When did divisions in the party end?

February 1926 - during a special party conference in Bamburg. 

What did they agree in the conference in Bamburg?

Here, they agreed that the Nazi party was to be run in accordance to the Fuhrerprinzip (leader principle) and that there was no place for disagreements.

What was Hitler able to regain?

He regained anti-capitalist support and reduced threat by announcing that the original 25 points of the party’s programme

What was Germany divided into?

The whole of Germany was divided into regions (Gaue) which reflected the electoral Geography of Weimar’s proportional representation.

What was each region of Germany to be placed in the hands of?

Each region was to be placed in the hands of a Gauleiter with the responsibility of creating district and branch groups.

What was Hitler’s party structure?

This regional (Gaue) structure was a vertical party structure which did not detract from Hitler’s authority at the top.

Who was Joseph Goebbels?

One of the most renowned Gauleiters as the holder of the Berlin post.

Originally sympathised with Strasser’s ideas but from 1926 his support transferred to Hitler.

What did Goebbels show an interest in?

He showed a real interest in propaganda and created the newspaper Der Angriff (the attack) but was not appointed Chief of Propaganda until 1930.

What new Nazi organisations were formed in this period?

• THE HITLER YOUTH

• THE NAZI TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION

• UNION OF NAZI LAWYERS

• ORDER OF GERMAN WOMEN

What were the Nazi organisations geared to do?

Organisations were geared to appeal to specific groups of Germans. 

In 1925, they had 27,000 members in the party and by 1928, they had 108,000.

Why was the Nazi party a strong political machine in 1928?

• Its structure was well organised.

• Membership increased four-fold since 1925.

• Hitlers leadership was authoritative and secure (despite ongoing challenge from Strasser’s faction).

However, how did the May 1928 elections turn out for Nazi’s?

They won only 2.6% of the vote and only 12 seats.

Seemed the policy of legality had failed to bring political success and the Weimar democracy had been able to stabilise its position.

Where did the party make gains in the May 1928 elections?

Party made significant gains in Northern Germany among the rural middle and lower class areas such as Schleswig-Holstein.

What did the regional state elections in 1929 suggest?

Regional state elections in 1929 suggested a fall in agricultural prices was beginning to cause discontent - demonstrations and protests took place, giving way to bankruptcies and violence.

What happened in Thuringia in the regional state elections 1929?

 In the province of Thuringia, central Germany, Nazi party trebled votes in the regional state elections 1929, receiving 11.3% of votes. Suggested the Nazi Party could easily exploit the economic difficulties of the Great Depression.

What was the Anti-Young plan?

In 1929 national committee was created by ALFRED HUGENBERG (leader of the DNVP) was formed to fight the young plan and served as a platform for radical right-wing groups to attack the Weimar Republic and denounce the Treaty of Versailles.

What did the anti-young plan generate support for?

The anti-young plan generated support for other far-right nationalist groups such as:

• Stahlhelm

• The Pan-German League 

• And most importantly, Hitler and the Nazi Party

What did the Anti-Young national opposition proposal gain?

This national opposition proposal gained enough signatures to enter the national referendum in December 1929 and won 5.8 million votes.

What happened in March 1930?

Chancellor Muller resigned when his government could not agree on how to tackle the rise in government spending caused by the rise in unemployment.

Who replaced Chancellor Muller?

Heinrich Bruning replaced Muller.

How did Bruning affect the Nazi party?

• Initally, he negatively impacted the Nazi party by banning the SS and the SA.

• But eventually brought more support for the party through his ineffective economic policies which increased public desperation and distrust in democracy.

What was there a rise in during this time period?

A rise in extremism.

Why was there a rise in extremism?

Millions of Germans were unemployed, hungry and desperate between 1930-33 and many turned to extreme political parties who offered simple solutions, ultimately securing support for the Nazi party.

What did the election results of 1933 show?

Show the sheer increase of support with nearly half the seats belonging to the Nazi party and over half taken by the more right-wing parties.

What had Nazi propaganda been like since 1928?

Since 1928 Nazi leaders had directed their propaganda at the rural and middle-lower class audiences, so gains were at the expense of the DNVP, DVP and DDP.

How many votes for the Nazi party came from attracting new voters?

Nearly half of the Nazi party votes had come from attracting new voters.

Electorate had increased to 1.8 million people and vote turnout increased from 75.6% to 82%.

What did Hitler relate to the German people about?

Hitler related to German people through the culture, despite being Austrian himself not moving to Germany until he was 24 through the imperialistic and military pre-Weimar Germany.

What did a large part of Nazi success come from?

A large part of success came from inclusion of working class problems.

What was Hitler portrayed as?

Hitler was portrayed as Germany’s saviour - the man who would rescue the country from the grip of depression.

What was volksgameinschaft?

Means people’s community.

Nazi’s redefined it to mean a racially exclusive community of ‘pure’ Germans.

What did the Nazi party have a large focus on?

Nazi party had an enormous focus on propaganda, led by Joseph Goebbels.

What did Hitler show awareness of?

Hitler showed awareness of the power of propaganda, as shown in Mein Kampf, his political manifesto.

How organised was the Nazi propaganda?

Highly organised, with Goebbels in charge.

What was use of canvassing?

Posters and leaflets played an important role in Nazi electioneering.

What was use of technology?

Nazi’s exploited technology. Used technology to project a statesman - like image onto Hitler.

What was use of mass suggestion?

Nazi’s also organised mass rallies to spread their belief. Intention was to create an atmosphere of national unity and excitement.

How did Nazi’s use unifying themes?

Nazism tried to bring Germany together, with 3 key unifying themes - racial purity, territorial expansion and establishment of a totalitarian state with absolute power.

How did Nazi’s use scapegoats?

Hitler used communists and Jews as scapegoats, channeling people’s fear and frustration onto them.