Chapter 3: The Rise of Hitler and the Nazis to January 1933 Flashcards
What changes were made to the German Workers’ party from 1920-22?
Hitler and the leader, Drexler, changed the name to the Nazi party. Membership of the party increased steadily as Hitler gave his audience scapegoats to blame for Germany’s problems (German Politicians, Jews etc.) and Hitler overthrew Drexler making himself the Fuhrer
What were the SA?
Nazi stormtroopers led by Hitler’s close friend Goering made up of ex soldiers and Freikorps who attacked left wing disrupters to Nazi party meetings
What were the causes of the Munich Putsch?
Since the Nazis had grown so much, they planned a putsch (revolution) of the government due to the unpopularity of the Weimar Republic (Post WWI Treaty of Versailles, hyperinflation), and due to support from the political right (Hitler hoped many police and troops in Bavaria would support him)
What were the events of the Munich Putsch?
8 November, Hit,er and 600 SA members burst into a meeting saying he was taking over the government but unfortunately for Hitler the civil servants, troops and police would stay loyal to the government. There was also a confrontation in Munich where 16 nazis and 4 police were killed
What were the results of the Munich Putsch?
Hitler was sent to prison for 5 years but it had many positive outcomes such as: Hitler was able to get his ideas across at his trial he wrote his book ‘Mein Kampf’
How did Hitler reorganise the party from 1924-28?
He set up party headquarters in Munich, built up contracts with wealthy business owners who shared the same anti communist views and he also created a network of Nazi parties in different districts
What else did Hitler do in the years 1924-28?
He set up the SS as he viewed Rohm, leader of the SA, as a potential rival and in his speeches, he tried to appeal to as many Germans as possible attacking the Weimar Government, Treaty of Versailles and Jews
What were the impacts of the Great Depression?
By 1932, 40% of the workforce were unemployed leading to many being evicted from their homes. Industrial workers mainly suffered but farmers did as well with a lack of demand for produce and the middle and lower class suffered as well
What happened because of the Great Depression?
The chancellor at the time, Bruning, pursued a tough economic policy of cutting government spending and welfare benefits and many of the industrial working class had felt let down by the Weimar Government and many joined the KPD (communist party)
What were the newly re-organised Nazi party methods to win support?
-In 1930, Josef Goebbles took charge of Nazi propaganda and the Nazi ideas were spread through posters and pamphlets found in many different Nazi networks.
-The Nazis appealed to as many people as possible and repeated at every opportunity who was the cause of Germany’s problems (Jews, communists and Weimar politicians)
-Fear of communism wa salsa a factor
What was the role of the SA and SS?
They gave the impression of discipline and order which many people thought was needed in the country
What were the events of 1932 to January 1933, including the role of Von Papen, Von Schleicher and Von Hindenburg?
-Bruning resigned in May 1932 and Von Papen was made chancellor by Von Hindenburg
-The July 1932 election showed the Nazis had the majority, and Hitler demanded to be made chancellor but Von Hindenburg was suspicious and refused
-Von Papen didn’t have the backing of the Reischtag and was forced to resign
-Von Schleicher was then appointed but forced to resign after the Nazis refused to co-operate with him
-Hitler was then offered the role of chancellor by Von Paper and Von Hindenburg who were confident they could keep his extremist views to a low
