(3) The Nazi Rise to Power and the end of the Weimar Republic

Question 1

What was the Deutsche Arbeitpartei (DAP)?

Answer 1

. Just one of the several new parties which emerged at
the end of the First World War.
. In 1919, it had 50 members.
. It was a right-wing party.

Question 2

Describe Hitler’s involvement in the DAP

Answer 2

. Hitler became angered by some of the comments made
in a speech by a DAP leader.
. He made a powerful speech in reply which impressed
Drexler (the founder of the party).
. Hitler joined the party and realised he was good at
public speaking.

Question 3

What were the themes of Hitler’s speeches?

Answer 3

. The Dolchstoss (stab in the back) theory.
. Disgust at the Treaty of Versailles.
. Saw communists and the Jews as the enemy.
. Hatred of the Weimar and November Criminals.

Question 4

What was the 25 point programme?

Answer 4

. A political manifesto which Hitler and Drexler had
produced.
. Hitler stuck to it for the rest of his life.
. It contained all his political views.

Question 5

When was the 25 point programme published?

Answer 5

February 1920

Question 6

When did Hitler become the leader of the NSDAP?

Answer 6

. July 1921
. He had the title “Fuhrer” (leader), but the word gradually
developed to have a larger meaning.

Question 7

When Hitler became leader of the Nazi party, what changes did he make?

Answer 7

. Invented the swastika as the emblem of the party.
. Encouraged the use of the raised arm salute.
. To protect meetings, the SA was formed.

Question 8

What was the German word for the SA and what were they known as?

Answer 8

. Sturmabteilung
. Known as the “brownshirts” because of the colour of their
uniform.

Question 9

What was the growth of the Nazi party from 1920 to 1923?

Answer 9

. In 1920, there were 1,100 and in 1923, there were around

55,000 members.

Question 10

What was the Munich Putsch?

Answer 10

. 8 November 1923, Hitler tried to overthrow Government.
. It was led by Hitler and the Nazis. 
. They lost as Hitler was arrested.
. 16 Nazis and 4 police men were killed.
. The Nazi was party was later banned.

Question 11

What were the reasons for the Munich Putsch?

Answer 11

. Hitler hated the Weimar Republic.
. Germans blamed the constitution for hyperinflation.
. Hitler thought the Nazis would join him.
. Nazis had increased their support.
. The SA would be used as armed support.
. Weimar Republic were blamed for the Ruhr.

Question 12

What were the key ideas of Mein Kampf?

Answer 12

. Abolition of the Treaty of Versailles.
. All problems in German society were caused by Jews.
. Gain Lebensraum (living space).
. Creation of Volksgemeinschaft (people’s community) - the
strong would dominate the weak.

Question 13

What happened to the Nazi Party when Hitler was in prison?

Answer 13

. Party was banned but had survived secretly.

. The Nazi party had declined.

Question 14

When was the Bamberg Conference?

Answer 14

1926

Question 15

What was the Bamberg Conference?

Answer 15

. Hitler strengthened his position as leader of the party.
. Opponents were removed - e.g. Röhm was forced to
resign from leader of the SA because Hitler couldn’t trust
him.

Question 16

How many members in 1925 compared to 1928?

Answer 16

In 1925 there were only 27,000 members compared to in 1928 when there was over 100,000

Question 17

When was the Wall Street Crash?

Answer 17

1929

Question 18

How did the Wall Street Crash affect the German society?

Answer 18

. Unemployment had risen greatly.
. Farmers experienced economic problems.
. People looked to the polititcal parties for help - the Nazis
gained members as a result.

Question 19

What happened in the election of 1930?

Answer 19

. The Nazis had won 107 seats and became the second
biggest party in Germany.
. Brüning, the new chancellor, became too dependent on
the President and it was seen as the end
of the Weimar Republic.

Question 20

Why did the Nazis become so popular after the Great Depression?

Answer 20

. They were a solution to everyone’s problems.
. People feared a communist uprising.
. Hitler had used propaganda throughout the whole of
Germany.
. They had financial support from industrialists.

Question 21

What was the role of the SA?

Answer 21

. It was Hitler’s private army - the Sturmabeitlung.
. It provided protection for the meetings and also
disrupted
the meetings of other political parties.
. Ernst Rohm was leader in 1931 and within a year its
membership had increased by 100,000.

Question 22

Describe the July election of 1932

Answer 22

. There was much violence leading up to the election of
July 1932 - 100 people were killed.
. The Nazis had won 230 seats and were now the largest
party in Germany.
. Hitler demanded he was chancellor but wasn’t given the
position.

Question 23

Describe the November election of 1932

Answer 23

. Von Papen believed that the Nazis would lose their
momentum on the next election and he was correct.
. The Nazis had lost seats but were still the largest party and Von Papen couldn’t secure a majority.
. Von Papen resigned and was succeeded by von
Schleicher.

Question 24

What happened in early January 1933?

Answer 24

. Von Papen met with Hitler because he wanted to regain
power.
. They decided that Hitler would lead a Nazi-Nationalist
government.
. Von Papen and Hitler were very popular to the army, and
leaders of industry.

Question 25

What did Hindenburg and von Papen agree to in early January 1933?

Answer 25

. A coalition Government with Hitler as chancellor would
save Germany.
. Von Papen would be able to control Hitler.

Question 26

When did Hitler become chancellor of Germany?

Answer 26

January 30th 1933