Changing fortunes of the Nazi Party 1924-33

Question 1

Why was Hitler’s trial a big propaganda success? When was it?

Answer 1

In February 1924, he formed his trial into an opportunity to gain more publicity as he knew many people would be watching

Question 2

What can you conclude about his prison term?

Answer 2

Served 9 months instead of 5 yrs in Landsberg prison, the “spell of prison” gave him the time to come to very important conclusions, including the fact that the strategy adopted between 1919-23 was no longer feasible

Question 3

What happened to the sales of Mein Kampf?

Answer 3

Sales rose rapidly after it not selling huge quantities (sold 1.5. million copies in 1533 making him rich)

Question 4

What was the NDSAP like at the time of Hitler’s release?

Answer 4

Were in disarray when he was released on the 20th December 1924 and level of Nazi support fell sharply as party only won 3% of the vote and had just 4 seats

Question 5

Why was Hitler content with the state the NDSAP when he had left prison?

Answer 5

His own claims to leadership had been strengthened

Question 6

What was his plan from the start of his time in prison regarding leadership of the NDSAP?

Answer 6

Turn the reins of the party over to Rosenberg, whom Hitler believed proved feckless as a leader and thus no ultimate threat to his own authority

Question 7

When was the Bamberg Conference and why did Hitler choose Bamberg?

Answer 7

It was in February 1926, and Hitler had called a party conference in Bamberg, which he chose on purpose as it was the centre of a strongly Nationalistic region in Germany

Question 8

What happened at the Bamberg Conference?

Answer 8

Hitler wanted to re-establish his dominance over the party, and restore unity and agree on a future programme

Question 9

What happened as a result of the Bamberg conference?

Answer 9

What should have been a debate turned into a 5 hour monologue in which he challenged the left of the party

Question 10

When did Gregor Strasser become propaganda leader?

Answer 10

September 1926

Question 11

What was Strasser’s plan?

Answer 11

While Hitler was in prison, Strasser decided that the party had to go in a new ideological direction.
Whereas Hitler had preached the Nazi value of ‘Blood and Soil’, Strasser believed in the opposite – that the urban man and industrialisation were the way ahead

Question 12

How did they become the largest party in Germany?

1. Hitler’s leadership skills and pledge

Answer 12

Provided a charismatic leadership, and was a powerful orator who pledged to restore German cultural values, reverse provisions of the Treaty of Versailles and return Germany to it’s rightful position as a world power

Question 13

How did they become the largest party in Germany?

2. What was he able to capitalize on?

Answer 13

German people’s thoughts and beliefs

Question 14

How did they become the largest party in Germany?

3. What was an attractive commodity of Hitler?

Answer 14

He gave people faith, especially during a time where the majority of Germans perceived the coalition government as weak and unable to alleviate the economic crises

Question 15

How well organised were the Nazis?

Answer 15

They were organised by a series of areas - each led by a Gauleiter.
The Nazis had associations for teachers, students, women and factory workers - wanted everyone to be won over by Nazi ideas

Question 16

Who were the types of people voting for the Nazis?

Answer 16

People from the most rooted and traditional section of the population like peasant farmers
Suprisingly more and more women began to vote for the Nazis

Question 17

Nazi propaganda:

What is so significant about the Nazi propaganda?

Answer 17

It was tailored to fit different people.

Question 18

Nazi propaganda:

How did they appeal to farmers, the unemployed and medium sized companies?

Answer 18

Hitler had a working class demographic to gain support.

For farmers, Hitler offered special benefits to offset the collapse of agricultural prices
For the unemployed he promised jobs
For medium-sized companies, he promised that their company would be safe in the future if they let him limit their control and give it to him

Question 19

Nazi propaganda:

How did the Nazis benefit from technology?

Answer 19

Modern technology was exploited, like loudspeakers, radio, film and records. Expensive cars and airplanes were hired to project a statesman-like image of Hitler

Question 20

Nazi propaganda:

How did they use violence?

Answer 20

The growth of the SA unleashed an unprecedented wave of violence, and many people joined out of desperation for food and accommodation

Question 21

When the Wall Street Crash had happened in October 1929, what happened and how did this benefit Hitler?

Answer 21

Unemployment reached over 6 million in 1932, allowed Hitler to appeal to the unemployed and hopeless

Question 22

Why is Hitler more of a functionalist than an intentionalist?

Answer 22

He used the state of Germany to his advantage by abusing their will for a Volksmeinschaft

Question 23

From when was Goebbels promoted to do what?

Answer 23

From April 1930, Goebbels was promoted and put in complete charge of the party’s propaganda machine. The electorate was deluged with posters and leaflets