3.1 Hitler and the German Worker's Party Flashcards
When was the German Worker’s Party founded and by who?
In Munich in 1919 by Anton Drexler
What groups of people did the German Worker’s Party attract?
It attracted groups that felt betrayed by the Weimar Government
What were the beliefs of the German Workers Party
Their beliefs:
Democracy was weak and a powerful leader was needed
Jews were to blame for making Germany weak
Communists and Socialists had brought about the fall of the Kaiser
The Socialist Weimar politicians had betrayed Germany by signing the Treaty of Versailles
When did Hitler join the German Workers Party
Hitler joined on the 12th September 1919 and became its 55th recruit
What role did Hitler play when he joined the German Worker’s Party?
He was in charge of propaganda
What changes did Hitler make to the German Worker’s Party?
Hitler and Drexler rewrote the aims of the party and published them in a 25 point programme.
The party was renamed the NSDAP (National Socialist German Workers Party) or the Nazi Part in August 1920
He was a talented orator and made over 30 speeches during 1920
Introduced the emblem of the swastika and the arm salute
Developed friendships with powerful Germans such as Ludendorff
Surrounded himself with loyal individuals such as Rohm, Goering and Hess
Ousted Drexler and became leader in mid-1921
What were some of the aims published in the 25 Point Programme?
The union of all Germans in a greater Germany
The end of the Treaty of Versailles and Treaty of Saint Germain
Demands for land and territory
Only those of German blood to be members of the nation
When did Hitler become leader of the German Worker’s Party?
1921
Hitler was a talented ____ which attracted lots of members
Speaker
By the end of 1920, what did membership increase to?
1,100
What was the first Nazi newspaper?
The Volkischer Beobachter (People’s Observer)
What did the Volkischer Beobachter do?
It became a voice of extreme anti-semitism and pushed Nazi ideals forward
What were the SA?
- They were the Nazis’ private army
- They were recruited from demobbed soldiers, the unemployed & students
- These ‘Brownshirts provided security at meetings & bodyguards for Nazi leaders
- They broke up meetings of opposition groups
- Hitler put Rohm in charge of the SA
- Many of the SA were thugs & difficult to control so in 1923 Hitler selected trusted members of the SA & formed his own personal bodyguard – the Stosstrupp or Shock Troop
- Hitler initially faced a great deal of opposition – both from opposing parties and from fellow Nazis.
- To deal with this opposition, Hitler set up the SA, which was essentially his own private army.
- The SA was made up of violent ex-soldiers with an axe to grind.
- Their reputation grew very quickly, with repeated shows of violence at political events.
- As a result, Hitler was able to remove an opposition he faced swiftly, and opposition quickly faded away anyway due to the culture of fear the SA created.
How did the Nazi emblem help Hitler rise to power?
As a self-proclaimed artist, Hitler gave a lot of thought to the Nazi symbology.
He recognised the need for the Nazis to have a memorable emblem, and designed the now infamous flag.
The flag and swastika emblem essentially turned the Nazis from a political party into a household brand.
As a result, Hitler propelled the party in the popularity stakes, and membership rose quickly.
How did Hitler’s charisma help him win support and rise to power?
Hitler was incredibly charismatic.
He was also an excellent orator (public speaker) and drew huge crowds to his Nazi speeches and rallies.
This increased the Nazi audience, and allowed them to convey their ideas to the masses.
No other party at the time had such a ‘hypnotic’ speaker.
As a result, support for the party greatly increased.
