2.1 Early development of the Nazi Party, 1920-22

Question 1

Hitler joins the German Worker’s Party (DAP)

Answer 1

The DAP had been founded in Munich in February 1919 by Anton Drexler, a railway mechanic. At the first meeting, in which Hitler attended, there were only 23 people. At the third meeting, the treasurer announced the total party funds as seven marks and 50 pfennigs - enough to buy a few groceries. Even so. Hitler was attracted by the party’s ideas/

Question 2

What date did Hitler join the DAP

Answer 2

19 September 1919

Question 3

Setting up the Nazi Party

Answer 3

Within two years, Hitler had taken control of the DAP and reshaped it into the Nazi Party. There were 5 parts of this takeover:

• party policy
• Hitler’s personal appeal
• party organisation
• party leadership
• SA

Question 4

Party policy - 25 point programme

Answer 4

Key Nazi beliefs contained in the 25-Point Programme:

A strong Germany - the Treaty of Versailles should be abolished and all German-speaking people united in one country.

Führer - the idea that there should be a single leader with complete power rather than a democracy.

Social Darwinism - the idea that the Aryan race was superior and Jews were ‘subhuman’.

Autarky - the idea that Germany should be economically self-sufficient.

That Germany was in danger - from communists and Jews, who had to be destroyed. Jews were blamed for undermining the German economy.

Question 5

Hitler’s personal appeal

Answer 5

At first public support for the DAP depended on popular support for nationalism and socialism. However, it quickly become clear that Hitler’s personal appeal as an orator was vital in attracting support.

• Hitler researched his speeches carefully - although these speeches were frantic rages they were very persuasive.
• His gestures were a key part of his appeal,
• He had publicity photos and paintings produced showing him as an orator.

Membership of the DAP grew to 1000 by June 1920 and 3000 by the end of 1920. There was no doubt that the vast majority of new members were Hitler’s followers.

Question 6

Party organisation

Answer 6

Hitler was the party’s leader of propaganda, Hitler made his personal mark on the party by introducing a number of changes.

• In January 1920, the DAP set up a permanent office in Munich. Hitler chose a friend from the army as the party’s full time administrator. The party’s meetings were now more organised and better advertised/ Party membership and funds began to increase.
• Hitler suggested that the party should be called the National Socialist German Workers’ Party. The 3 parts of the name all helped to clarify the party policies. It also helped to gain support - Hitler named the party so it appealed to many different people.
• Soon after this the NSDAP adopted the characteristic logo, the swastika. The party was now easy to distinguish from all the other small nationalist parties in German politics.
• By December 1920, the bigger membership and better organisation of the party brought in enough funds for the NSDAP.

Question 7

Party leadership

Answer 7

In July 1921, Hitler forced a leadership contest in the party. Drexler lost, and Hitler won - becoming leader of the NSDAP. He surrounded himself with supporters to help him lead the party. They were carefully selected for their skills and for they image that they would give the party.

Question 8

What was the SA

Answer 8

In 1921 Hitler assembled a large group of unemployed young men and former soldiers

Question 9

What was the role of the SA

Answer 9

• Their role was to protect party meetings, march in Nazi rallies and intimidate political opponents by breaking up their meetings.
• They numbered about 800 and impressed people with a sense of power and organisation.
• Hitler expected them to be completely obedient to him, despite Rohm being in charge.