Nazis Gaining Power

• Munich Putsch

  • 1919, Hitler sent to keep an eye on extremist parties
  • German Worker's Party, quickly became a leader, only 50 members
  • it became NSDAP, issued points e.g. abolition of ToV, unity of Germans, strong government
  • short term failure - Nazi party banned, Hitler prevented from public speaking till 1927, sentenced 5 years
  • long term success - served 9 months, wrote Mein Kampf, ideas publicised, lenient judge, garnered sympathy, reorganised party democratically
• Lean Years 1924-1929

  May 1924 - 6.5%

  Dec 1924 - 3%

  May 1928 - 2.6%

  • tried to appear as a respectable party, trained members to be good public speakers
• The Great Depression

  • US consumers bought German goods, businesses out of business
  • unemployment soared
  • Germans blamed gov for hardships, receptible to radical change which helped gain Nazi support
• Weimar Weakness

  • politicians divided, lack of change happening
  • people turned to extremist groups
  • Bruing used Article 48 to pass laws, wanted to seize rich land and give to poor, Hindenburg refused, Bruing resigned
• Appeal of Hitler

  • promised to make Germany a great nation
  • charismatic, popular
  • impressive rallies and parades
  • filled audiences with hope
• Nazi Party Structure

  • in prison, realised had to change party methods, tactics of persuasion not intimidation
  • SA expanded rapidly
  • Goebbels became chief of propaganda in 1928
  • use of radio highlighting modern approach
  • embraced new tech, 1932, aeroplane to visit 20 cities in 10 days
• Fear of Communism

  • after WW1 communists tried to seize control, frightened upper and middle classes
  • Hitler promised to fight communism and deployed SA to clash communist gangs, which gained upper and middle support
  • in 1936, 2/3 of Nazi support came from middle class
• Who voted for the Nazis

  • Farmers - communism was a threat, Hitler promised better life for them
  • Women - those who like more traditional roles, society being too liberal
  • Small Business Owners - fear of communism, Nazis bring order and discipline, stop crime
  • Upper Classes - promise of strong leadership, build weapons so more profit
  • Ex-Soldiers - Diktat, build up Germany, Hitler was an ex soldier and spoke of willpower and determination
• Hitler to Chancellor

  March/April 1932 - Hindenburg reran to keep gov stable, up against Hitler and KPD, re-held in Aug to get majority KPD-11%, Hitler-36%, Hin-53%

  May 1932 - Bruing lost support, banned SA and SS, angering Hitler, resigned

  July 1932 - 7000 injured in SA vs communist. Nazi party seats from 12 (1928) to 230. demanded chancellor but did not get it.

  Nov/Dec 1932 - Von Papen called for new elections to remove Nazi power, votes fell to 190 (still largest)Schleider convinced Hindenburg to fire Von Papen, he becomes chancellor

  30 Jan 1933 - Papen wanting revenge, rumours of S starting a coup and convinces Hindenburg to fire him and appoint Hitler chancellor believing they could control him
• Chancellor to Fuhrer

  • Reichstag Fire 27 Feb - blamed communists, became associated with act of terrorism
  • Protection Law 28 Feb - Hitler has power to deal with Germany's problems
  • Enabling Act 23 March - power to make laws himself
  • Use of New Powers 7 Apr - Nazis in charge of local governments, Gestapo, first conc camp in Dachau for political prisoners
  • Trade Union Ban 2 May
  • Law Against Formation of New Parties 14 July
  • 2 Aug 1933 - death of Hindenburg, makes army swear an oath, becomes Fuhrer
• SA

  • Nazis private army
  • Led by Ernest Rohm
  • 3 million membership
  • Hitler worried they were getting too powerful
• SS

  • bodyguards for Nazis and Hitler
  • selected based on Aryan appearance
  • entirely loyal to Nazis
• Night of the Long Knives - 30 June 1934


  • Rohm wanted to merge SA with German army
  • SA used thuggish methods which lost Nazi support with elite classes
  • June 1934, Reich list of unwanted persons
  • Rohm and high ranking Nazis executed
  • Hitler's authorised purge