Hitler's Rise to Power 1919-33

• 1. Hitler becoming the voice of the German Workers' party:

  • Began his political career in the German Workers' Party - nationalist party led by Anton Drexler - he joined in Jan 1919 when he was still in the German army
  • He became known for his passionate and skilled speeches, where crowds would gather to hear him talk
  • The Party relied on him to get new party members, in 1920 he was made chief of propaganda (members rose from 60-2000 1919-1920)
  • 1920- rebranded as the Nazi Party - Hitler became leader in July 1921
• 2. What was the aims of the German Workers' Party?

  • The party was a nationalist party - it was thought that the interests of Germans should be at the centre of the government policy
  • It was antisemitic and opposed the Weimar Republic
  • It wanted to restore Germany's greatness
• 3. How did the Nazi party develop its identity?

  • February 1920 - Nazi party promoted 'Twenty-Five Point Programme' - stress the superiority of the German people and promoted antisemitism
  • The party wanted to raise pensions, and improve health & education - but only for Germans
  • Rejecting the TofV and promoting German greatness gave the party a nationwide appeal
• 4. Specific points from the Twenty-Five Point Programme:

  • The Treaty of Versailles should be abolished
  • All German-speakers should be united
  • Only Germans (people with German blood) can be citizens - Jewish people cannot be citizens - the Nazis made Jewish people scapegoats for Germany's economic problems and encouraged Germans to blame them
  • Improved pensions and land reform
• 5. Introduction of the SA:

  • In 1921, Hitler founded his own party militia called the SA ('storm troopers')
  • The SA were political thugs - they carried out violent antisemitic attacks and intimidated rival political groups
  • Many people were scared of them, but some Germans admired them
  • The SA gave the party a military feel, which made it seem organised and disciplined - it also gave many ex-soldiers a job and purpose
• 6. Why was the time 'right' for the Munich putsch?

  • In 1923 the WR seemed weak
  • Hyperinflation at its peak
  • Germans angry of the invasion of the Ruhr and that the government ended strikes so there was no resistance
• 7. Events of the Munich Putsch:

  • Hitler's soldiers occupied a beer hall in the Bavarian city of Munich where local government leaders were meeting - he announced that the revolution had begun
  • The next day Hitler marched into Munich supported by stormtroopers - but news of the revolt was leaked to police, who were waiting for Hitler
  • The police fired on the rebels and the revolt quickly collapsed
• 8. Consequences of the Munich Putsch:

  • Hitler was imprisoned for his role in the Munich Putsch, but his trial gave him valuable publicity
  • He wrote a book in prison called Mein Kampf (My Struggle) describing his beliefs and ambitions - this was vital in spreading Nazi ideology - millions of Germans read it - introduced Hitler's belief that the Aryan Race was superior to all other races, and that all Germans had a right to 'Lebensraum' (more space to live)
• 9. Why did Hitler change tactics after the Munich Putsch?

  • By the mid-1920s, the German economy started to recover under Stresemann - General support for the Nazis declined and overturning the government through a coup no longer seemed realistic
  • The NSDAP banned after the Putsch, along with the SA
  • Hitler released in December 1924 and the ban on the party lifted in Feb 1925
  • He now tried to gain control through the democratic system - restructuring the Nazi Party, making it more successful in elections
• 10. Hitlers changes:

  • 1926 - held conference with Nazi leadership at Bamberg - he fixed a divide (some members wanted socialist influence some didn't) by establishing they would only follow his agenda
  • Propaganda increased and more centrally controlled making campaigns more efficient, he also re-established the SA and began using them for propaganda purposes
  • Created new organisations for different social groups - founded Hitler youth to attract young voters and creates societies for different professions e.g. National Socialist Teachers' League
• 11. How did the Wall Street Crash end economic recovery?

  • Oct 1929 - Wall Street stock market in America crashed - sparked an international economic crisis meaning USA couldn't prop up German economy
  • Dependent on loans from USA (Dawes Plan)
  • USA suspended future payments and wanted old loans to be repaid
• 12. Wall Street Crash direct consequences:

  • Germany's economy collapsed without American aid - Industrial production went into decline - factories closed and banks went out of business
  • There was mass unemployment - in October 1929, 1.6 million people were out of work, and by February 1932 there were over 6 million
• 13. Bruning's policies:

  • March 1930 - Bruning appointed as new Chancellor to deal with crisis
  • He increased cost of imported food to help agriculture, but this raised food prices - as many Germans were struggling financially, the government seemed to be adding pressure by reducing support
  • Government salaries and pensions were reduced and taxes increased
  • Social services were cut back, and unemployment benefits were reduced
• 14. Consequences of Bruning's policies:

  • Everyday life seemed to be made worse from Bruning's policies
  • They were designed to help the economy, but they plummeted standard living conditions - he was nicknamed the 'Hunger Chancellor
  • By 1932, many different sectors of society were discontent with the Weimar government - high unemployment and reduced benefits also meant the government had lost some backing from the working classes, who had always formed a large part of their support
• 15. How did the government become less democratic as a result?

  • Bruning's economic policies were so unpopular that he had difficulty passing them in the Reichstag
  • He began to rely on 'Article 48' - Bruning asked President Hindenburg to suspend the constitution, so he could make decisions without parliamentary approval
  • By 1932, Bruning was regularly bypassing parliament to force his economic measures through
  • The German people left neglected since Weimar no longer felt like a democracy
• 16. Nazi's increasing vote:

  • 1928 - 3% of vote
  • 1930 - 18% of vote
  • July 1932 - 37% of vote
  • Nov 1932 - 33% of vote
  • The Communist + Nazi Party both grew in popularity after the Depression - they both competed to support of Germans hit hard by the crisis
  • Between 1928 and 1932, membership of the KPD (com.) grew from 130k to almost 300k - Nazi membership grew even more rapidly leaving the KPD behind
• 17. Hitler's increasing popularity:

  • Hitler's personality was a massive factor in the Nazi's popularity
  • He was patriotic and energetic, and was able to effectively convey his enthusiasm to his supporters
  • His speeches bought hope to those who listened
  • In the Nazis's 1932 election campaigns, Hitler was depicted as Germany's saviour - he stood up to the Weimar government and opposed the 'threat' of communism
• 18. Why did the NSDAP appeal to many different groups in society?

  • Hitler's promise to make Germany great agin appealed to he growing ranks of unemployed and youth who wanted a brighter future
  • Some people supported the anti-communist and anti-Jewish views, they saw them as scapegoats - blaming them for economic problems
  • Wealthy businessmen who had lost out in the Great Depression turned to the Nazis - they approved of the anti-communist stance and wanted the economic prosperity Hitler promised
• 19. Increase of vote:

  • After the Depression hit, more Germans began to vote - participation in election increased by around 10% between 1928 and 1932
  • Many of these new voters were attracted by the changes the Nazis promised
• 20. Hindenburg refused to give Nazis power

  • By April 1932, economic conditions worsened - the country was desperate for a strong government
  • Hidenburg was seen as a national hero - when he had to stand for re-election as his term of office had run out, he beat Hitlers vote
  • In May 1932, Bruning was replaced with Franz von Papen
  • In the July 1932 elections, the Nazis became the most popular party in the Reichstag - Hitler demanded to be made chancellor, but Hindenburg didn't trust him and refused his request
• 21. What were the Backroom Deals?

  • The Nazis lost 34 seats in the November 1932 election - they seemed to be losing popularity
  • In December 1932, Hindenburg replaced Paper with Kurt von Schleicher - Papen resented Schleicher because he suspected he had persuaded Hindenburg to dismiss him
  • To get back into the government, he made a deal with Hitler - they agreed if Papen persuaded Hindenburg to make Hitler Chancellor, he would be admitted Vice-Chancellor
• 22. Backroom Deal outcome:

  • In January 1933, Pan persuaded Hindenburg to replace Schleicher with Hitler - Papen argued that they could control Hitler and use him as a puppet - he was wrong