Notes on the Rise of Adolf Hitler

Soldier's Experience in World War I

• A soldier badly injured in a poison gas attack, facing uncertainty about regaining his sight.
• In the hospital, he learns of Germany's surrender on November 11, 1918.
• Experiences disbelief, claiming Germany should not have surrendered as allied troops hadn't invaded Germany.
• Searches for scapegoats for Germany's defeat, blaming various groups, leading to feelings of disillusionment.

Adolf Hitler's Early Life

• Born an Austrian-Hungarian subject to a customs official, named Hitler at 39.
• Failed artist, found himself drifting in Vienna after WWI with no prospects.
• Chooses to remain in the army post-war and becomes a spy during the fragile period of the Weimar Republic.

The German Workers' Party

• Infiltrated a party called the German Workers' Party, which was founded in 1919 by Anton Drexler.
• Drexler opposed the Treaty of Versailles and feared communism, shared anti-Semitic views.
• Initially more of a debating society than an active political party, promoting German nationalism.

Hitler’s Political Transition

• Through attendance at German Workers’ Party meetings, Hitler found similarities with other veterans.
• Hitler shared anti-Semitic views and eventually decided to resign from the army to commit himself to the party.
• Initially one of the earliest members, Hitler aimed to take control of the German Workers' Party.

Transformation of the Party

• Hitler renamed the party to National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP) to distance it from communism.
• The term Nazi derogatorily derived from "National" and "Socialist" in German.
• Introduced visual impacts like uniforms, marches, and symbols (e.g., the swastika).

Early Party Growth and Beliefs

• By 1922, the NSDAP had about 6,000 members, mostly veterans and staunch anti-Semites.
• Notably anti-capitalist, anti-democratic, and anti-Marxist, their slogan centered on uniting the transgressions against Germany.

Hitler's Public Speaking and Image

• Famous for emotional, charismatic speeches to win public sentiment.
• Compared to a rock star, he utilized organized events to build rapport with masses.
• Focused on psychology to evoke passion rather than rational arguments.

The Beer Hall Putsch (1923)

• Attempted coup in Munich to overthrow the Weimar Republic on November 8, 1923.
• Despite initial success in kidnapping Weimar officials, the coup failed due to police resistance leading to Hitler's arrest.

Hitler's Trial and Mein Kampf

• Used his trial as a platform to gain national visibility, portraying himself as a patriot.
• Sentenced to only five years but served about nine months in a relatively comfortable prison.
• Dictated Mein Kampf during his imprisonment, outlining his political views and vision for Germany's future.

The German Political Landscape in the Late 1920s

• As the economy stabilized, the Nazi Party's influence waned post-prison.
• The Great Depression (1929) revitalized Nazi party support as they exploited societal fears and instability.

Campaigning and Electoral Strategy

• Shifted focus to perpetual campaigning, direct mailing, and strategic use of media.
• By 1930, Nazi representation expanded to 107 seats out of 577 in the Reichstag.
• Growth peaked in July 1932 with 37.4% of the vote and 230 seats.

Hitler's Path to Chancellorship

• Ran for president against Paul von Hindenburg in 1932 but lost, highlighting his inability to win a free election.
• Appointed as Chancellor on January 30, 1933 by Hindenburg, influenced by right-wing politicians like Franz von Papen.

The Reichstag Fire and Aftermath

• A fire in the Reichstag on February 27, 1933, was used by Hitler to justify repression against communists.
• The Enabling Act allowed him to enact laws without Reichstag approval for four years, effectively dismantling democracy.

Consolidation of Power

• Hindenburg's death in August 1934 allowed Hitler to merge the presidency and chancellorship, becoming the supreme leader (Fuhrer).
• The Nazi regime solidified as the one-party state, marking the end of the Weimar Republic.

Conclusion

• Hitler’s rise to power seems gradual, deeply rooted in post-war sentiments of loss, betrayal, and economic despair. His strategic political moves and manipulation of fear played crucial roles in his ascent to power, ultimately leading to the establishment of a totalitarian regime in Germany.