November 1923: Gustav Stresemann becomes Chancellor, addressing the economic crisis with the Rentenmark.
Right-wing supporters in Bavaria were infuriated when Stresemann called off passive resistance in the Ruhr
Bavaria, considering itself independent, opposed Weimar democracy; Bavarian Reichswher commander Otto von Lossow.
Little known Nazi party tried to seize power in Munich (55,000 members)
Development of the Nazi Party
Hitler shifted to working within the Weimar constitution, causing divisions within the Nazi party.
Nazi problems after Munich: calm and prosperity in WR; members of the Nazi party split into factions; membership was in decline; members were divided on policy of legality.
Hitler refounded the Party in 1925, focusing on legality to secure power, re-establishing supremacy at the Bamberg Conference in 1926.
Fuhrerprinzip: Party reorganized under Fuhrer power, reducing divisions and strengthening Hitler’s position.
Germany divided into 35 Gaue, each headed by a Gauleiter accountable only to Hitler - responsible for district + branch groups. Reflected electoral geography of Weimar’s system.
Gregor Strasser built up an efficient Party structure, increasing membership to 108,000 by 1928 via associated organizations.
Associationism
Appealed to various groups (youth, women, students, etc.).
Nazi membership trebled between 1925-27 after taking over other right wing, racist groups.
SA wore brown shirts, Hitler salute used, Nazi flag introduced.
Joseph Goebbels + Nazi Propaganda, created newspaper Der Angriff (The Attack)
Nazis trained speakers (6000 in total)
Nazis used latest technology such as loudspeakers, slideshows, films coupled with traditional forms such as mass rallies, marches + uniform + drill.
Volksgemeinschaft (National Community)
Nazi Ideology
Promised a new national community, solving economic problems, and protecting German peasants + small traders.
SS set up in 1925 + swear absolute obedience to Hitler.
Nationalism: crucial to Nazi appeal, uniting diverse groups.
SA: distributed propaganda, protected meetings, and drove communists from streets.
Election Results May 1928: 2.6% of the vote + only 12 Reichstag seats.
Anti-Young Plan referendum
The Nazis joined to the anti-Young Plan alliance with Alfred Hugenberg’s Nationalist Party which gave the Nazis access to Hugenberg’s vast media empire.
The Nazi party had been revitalized, membership increased fourfold since 1925, Nazism was new, modern and dynamic and at the same time traditional conservative + reassuring.