2. Rise of N Party from 1923 Flashcards
What left the door open for a third force?
Threat of increasing communist influence and the string of Weimer constitution governments that were unable to effectively rule Germany
What motivated the extreme right wing group to emerge?
motivated by the ‘stab in the back’ mentality and benefited in growing membership from the economic hardship faced by the middle class as a result of the Great Depression – the Nationalist Socialist German Workers Party/Nazi - founded in Bavaria
What was the Nationalist Socialist German Workers Party/Nazi?
The party was an ultra-nationalist political party with anti-Semitism, founded in Bavaria
What was Hitler working as in 1919?
working as a ‘political indoctrination official’ spying on the Party
How did Hitler become part of the Worker’s Party?
He was drawn to ideas of party and by 1921, became its leader, known as Fuhrer. Achieved this due to his ability as public speaker
Quote to show impact of Hitler’s speech and ability as public speaker?
Joseph Goebbels:
“His eyes met my glance like a flame. This was a command. At that moment I was reborn… Now I know which road to take.”
How many members did Nazi party have in 1923?
50 000 members
Why did they organise large rallies?
to protest Weimer government, the threat of communism and the ‘diktat’(command/decree) of Versailles
What did the Nazi Party believe in?
in an international conspiracy against Germany, which had been sold out by the ‘November Criminals’
What paramilitary party was set up by Nazi?
called the Sturmabteilung (SA), or ‘Brown Shirts’
what became the Nazi code?
Both the Swastika and the outstretched salute were adopted as part of Nazi code
What was the platforms of the Nazi Party as it rose to power?
German nationalism, the volk, an Aryan master race, and idea of great and powerful fatherland
What happened in November 1923?
the Munich Beer Hall Putsch; Hitler tried to take power. He was arrested and sentenced to nine months in Landsberg Prison. He wrote Mein Kampf there, outlining his ideology
Munich Beer Hall Putsch Nov 1923: What happened and aim?
Attempted violent seizure of power in capital of Bavaria, Munich.
Aim: to lead a march on Berlin to overthrow the Republic.
Munich Beer Hall Putsch Nov 1923: why did the Putsch fail?
when Army refused to side with Hitler and was arrested and changed with treason
Munich Beer Hall Putsch Nov 1923: How long did Hitler spend in prison?
sentenced 5 years but only 9 months
Munich Beer Hall Putsch Nov 1923: What did Hitler emerge from prison as?
Emerged from prison a hero of nationalists, to national prominence
Munich Beer Hall Putsch Nov 1923: What did the experience teach Hitler?
next opportunity to overthrow Republic needed to be planned carefully so conservative politicians and army would cooperate or remain neutral. Needed to seek power by winning elections
Munich Beer Hall Putsch Nov 1923: what did he write in prison?
Mein Kampf in prison
what is the Mein Kampf?
based on form of Social Darwinism. E.g. Fuhrerprinzip: leadership principle, Volk community (classless), superiority of German Aryan race/culture (racial purity) and belief that rural life superior to urban industrialised life – working class support.
what was it like when Hitler released from prison?
support for Nazis very low and party membership decreased. mid 1920s, faced significant ideological division. (economic and social stability of Weimer Republic so need to wait till instability)
what changes brought into party due to lack of support?
Neverless, party reorganised where full control to Hitler introduced
what was developed for nazi party?
Hitler Youth formed in 1926 and Nuremberg rallies and other aspects of successful propaganda apparatus developed
Who supported the nazi party most by 1930s?
Protestant members of middle class, such as small farmers, providing bulk of votes (approx. 42%)
What and when was young plan made?
June 1929 gov agreed to terms of Young Plan – reducing reparation payments but continued payment until 1988
Who opposed the Young Plan?
Nationalists, especially Alfred Hugenburg forming united front with Hitler in anti-Young campaign (failed)
what was brought due to the publicity from opposition of Young Plan to Hitler?
Although failed, connection with Hugenburg gave Hitler publicity/media performance, money and respectability by associated with reputable conservative leaders.
Quote to show Hitler used campaign against Young Plan to break into national politics and showed skills as propagandist
Alan Bullock:
“Hitler had now become a familiar figure, thanks to a publicity campaign entirely paid for by Hugenburg’s rival party”
evidence that onset of depression more important for nazi party?
AJP Taylor said that “the depression put the wind in Hitler’s sail”.
What did nazi exploit from the depression?
By exploiting misery and fears of German ppl, made massive electoral breakthroughs in next 3 years
statistics of change in vote due to depression?
13.7 million Germans voted for them in July 1932, and gained approx. 1/3 seats
Why was it most appealing during the Depression?
with speeches referencing Germans sharing common racial/cultural heritage and commitment that Nazi would set out building a ‘national ethnic community’ (Volksgemeinschaft), where all racially pure ‘Aryans; would be accommodated equally, regardless of social background. – social equality/justice and end of threat of communist for middle class and workers.
what did Nazi do to coordinate effort to project caring image during depression
groups door-to-door collecting food/clothes for poor, running soup kitchens
Evidence of gained strength from Great Depression:
rise of SA – rocketed from 30 000 in 1929 to approx. 450 000 in 1932 from young men being thrown out of work – provided accommodation, food.
What did the SA continue to do?
Violence (SA) continue use against opposition – gave more votes, appeal to middle class as attacking Communists E.g. Red Front Fighter’s League
Evidence of how Germans saw Nazi violence as good thing:
o Albert Speer:
“the sight of discipline in a time of universal chaos, the impression of energy in an atmosphere of universal hopelessness, seem to have won her over”
– how his mother joined Nazi. The influence and ability to attract supporters through the propaganda of SA parade in the streets.
