Early growth of the Nazi party: Hitler’s personal appeal

• What personal skill of Hitler was vital in widening the Party's support?


  His skills as an orator
• How did Hitler structure his speeches to engage his audience?


  He started slowly and built up to a passionate rant
• What technique did Hitler use to connect with his audience during speeches?

  He fixed his eyes on the audience and used vigorous hand gestures to make him seem like a politician who believed in what he said.
• How many times did Hitler appear as the key speaker at Party gatherings between November 1919 and November 1920?


  31 times
• What was the growth of the DAP's membership from the end of 1919 to the end of 1920?


  It grew from a few dozen to 3000 members
• What factors contributed to Hitler's rise as a key speaker for the DAP?

  • Personal skills as an orator
  • Careful rehearsal of speeches
  • Engaging delivery techniques (eye contact, hand gestures)
  • Frequent appearances at Party gatherings
• Hitler’s personal skills as an orator were vital in beginning to widen the Party’s support.
• He rehearsed his speeches carefully, starting his speeches slowly then working up to a passionate, almost frenzied, rant that swept his audience along.
• He also used to fix his eyes on the audience and use vigorous hand gestures to show his passion for what he was saying, to give the impression that he was a different type of politician who believed in what he said.
• He quickly became the DAP’s most inspiring speaker, appearing 31 times as the key speaker at 46 Party gatherings between November 1919 and November 1920.
• It was clear Hitler’s popularity was a key reason for the Party’s growth from a few dozen at the end of 1919 to 3000 by the end of 1920.