Hitler and Growth of the Nazi Party 1919-1933

• German Workers' Party (DAP)


  Drexler asked Hitler to join in 1919. Hitler discovered he was good at public speaking and spoke at several meetings largely focusing on: Stab-in-Back Theory, disgust at Treaty of Versailles, Hatred of Weimar and November Criminals, Communist-Jews destroying Germany.
• Set up of NSDAP

  25 Point program, Hitler and Drexler put together

  Key Points of Program:

  1 - Union of all Germans to form Great Germany

  2 - Scrapping of TOV

  4 - Citizenship only granted to German blood

  6 - Foreign nationals deported if population too big to feed

  8 - Non-Germans who enterest after 1914 should leave

  13 - Gov to nationalise all businesses formed into cooperations

  12 - Gov to profit-share in major industries

  17 - End to all speculation in land and any land needed for communal purposes to be seized

  23 - All newspaper editors/contributers to be German. Non-German papers need gov permission

  24 - Religious freedom for all, providing did not threaten/offend Germans

  25 - Creation of a strong central gov to put new program into effect.

  Members grew from 1,100 June 1920 to 55,000 Nov 1923.
• Munich Putsch


  November 1923

  Hitler plotted with two nationalist politicians - Kahr and Lossow - to take over Munich in a revolution.

  October 4, 1923, Kahr and Lossow called off the rebellion. This was not possible for Hitler who had 3000 troops ready to fight.

  Night of 8th November, Hitler and 600 SA members bus into a meeting Kahr and Lossow were holding at the Bear Hall. Hitler force them to agree and let them go home. SA took over the army headquarters and the office of local newspaper.

  9 November 1923, Hitler and the SA went into into Munich on what they thought would be a triumphal March. But Kahr had called police and army reinforcements. Police killed 16 members of the SA. Hitler fled, but was arrested two days later.

  
  

  Short term failure:

  Nazi party was banned, and Hitler was prevented from speaking in public until 1927.

  Hitler was tried for high treason and sentenced to 5 years in prison.

  Long term success:

  He was sentenced in April and out by December. He wrote 'Mein Kampf' - a propaganda book, setting out Nazi beliefs. Millions of Germans read it and his ideas became very well-known.

  The judge being lenient suggest that some people in authority had sympathy with Hitler.

  Hitler realise that he would never come to power by revolution, and that he would have to take power under Democratic means. he re-organise his party to enable it to take part in elections.
• Impact of Munich Putsch on Nazi Party


  Hitler's trial was propaganda success for the Nazi Party, made himself known nationally and won support from other nationalists.

  Realised he needed complete control over the party to guarantee future success.

  Realised coups did not work and NSDAP would need to win election to gain power.
• Features of Mein Kampf

  Abolition of TOV

  Gain living space (Lebensraum) to create a Greater Germany where all German-speaking are incorporated into nation.

  Create a people's community (Volksgemeinschaft), strangest races would dominate weakest.

  All ills in German society were caused by Jews. All Jews to be eliminated.
• The Lean Years 1924-29 (re-organising NSDAP)

  After his release, Hitler persuaded President of Bavaria to lift ban on NSDAP

  Bamberg Party Conference, 1926

  Hitler continued to strengthen his position as leader. Rivals (eg Joseph Goebells or George Strasser) won over.

  Strasser appointed propaganda leader

  Goebbels made Gauleiter of Berlin

  Other opponents removed Eg Hit forces Ernst Rohm to resign as leader of SA as he was concerned the SA would continue to be a violent group. New SA leader was Franz Pfeffer von Salomon.

  Hitler created his own bodyguard group (SS)

  Set up the Hitler Youth (Hitlerjugend) to rival other young groups.

  1926, he was the undisputed leader (Fuhrer). Point program was cornerstone of Nazi believes. Hitler stopped targeting urban voters and moved to rural voters.
• Members of NSDAP 1925 vs 1928

  1925 - 27,000

  1928 - 100,000+
• Josef Goebbels


  1929-33, Nazis increased support through propaganda. Mass rallies, posters, banners. G ensures Nazi messages were simple and frequently repeated.

  Early 1930's, NSDAP owned 120 newspapers

  As Germany descended into chaos in 1930-32, G presented NSDAP in local, regional, national and presidential elections. Especially on radio.
• Electoral Success for NSDAP

  Chancellor Bruning called off general election in 1930, hoping to secure majority for central party. Impact of Wall Street Crash and Depression disrupted politics. Nazi attempted to appeal to everyone.

  If anyone doubted the Nazi message, Hitler ensured a scapegoat.
• NSDAP win power: Elections

  Hitler stood against Hindenburg (1932 Chancellor election), Nazis used modern technology like airplanes. Hitler could speak to as many as 5 cities on the same day.

  Goebbels ensured rallies were occurring so the message was being spread and Hitler was being Viewed as a national political figure. (films, radio, records)

  Hindenburg won less than ½ votes in president elections 1932. Hitler got a large portion. Second vote required.

  NSDAP tactics were paying off, more success in second elections, July 1923.
• NSDAP Financial Support


  Received funds from industrialists eg Thyssen, Krupp and Bosch (they were terrified of communist threat and concerned about trade union growth). 600,000 copies of Nazi economic program were produced and distributed in july election.

  1932, Nazi grew closer to National Party. Their leader (Alfred Hugenberg) was a newspaper tycoon. Allowed NSDAP to produce newspapers attacking Bruning.
• SA and Communists


  In speeches Hitler claimed democracy in parliament did not work and said only Nazis could provide strong government.

  SA protected NSDAP meetings and disrupted opponent's meetings (eg Beer Hall Putsch)

  1932 SA members was 170,000

  Communists had their own military (Red Front Fighters, RFB), fought SA often with many fatalities.
• Hitler's Role in Growth


  His speeches always attracted many.

  Had to offer to all demographics in order to be successful.

  His charisma: Persona of war hero, savior, ordinary man, proud, devoted nationalist.
• Political developments of 1932

  NSDAP won majority votes in July (37.4%) and November (33.1%)

  Decreased support of Chancellor Bruining

  Franz von Papen (Centre Party) despite not having majority, was placed in chancellor role and began to scheme with president Hindenburg.

  Hitler demanded to be Chancellor in a meeting in August, Hindenburg refused.

  Papen assumed Nazis were losing momentum (as the July-Nov votes agree)

  Papen could not secure majority in reichstag, Hitler continued demanding.

  Papen suggested abolishing Weimar Constitution, Kurt von Scgleicher (Minister of Defence) persuaded Hind that this might cause a civil war.

  Papen resigned. Schleicher succeeded him

  Schleicher hoped to get majority by forming a Querfront (cross-front) bringing together strands of left and right parties.

  Papen wanted power back, met with Hitler in Jan 1933 and agreed Hitler should lead a Nazi-Nationalist government with Papen as Vice-Chancellor.

  Army, major landowners, leaders of industry convinced Hitler and Papen were saving them from Schleicher's plans and a possible communist takeover.

  Papen convinced Hindenburg a coalition government would save Germany and bring stability. Papen said he could 'Make Hitler squeak' (control him).

  Jan 30 1933, Hitler became Chancellor of Germany and invited to be leader by the president. He had achieved his aim.