Early Development of the Nazi Party, 1920-22 Flashcards
Describe the Origins of the Nazi Party (NSDAP)
-The German Worker’s Party (DAP) had been founded in Munich in February 1919, by Anton Drexler.
-It was tiny- at the first meeting attended by Hitler, on 12 September 1919, there were only 23 people.
-At the third meeting, the treasurer announced the total party funds as seven marks and 50 pfennings- enough to buy a few groceries.
-Even so, Hitler was attracted by the party’s ideas and on 19 September 1919, he joined the DAP.
-Within two years, Hitler had taken control of the DAP and reshaped it into the Nazi Party.
Describe the Creation of Party Policy
-Hitler began to take control of the policies of the DAP. It was a party of protest, strongly opposed to:
-The Weimar politicians who deposed the Kaiser, made peace and accepted the Treaty of Versailles.
-Democracy, which they believed to be weak, and the Weimar constitution.
-The Jews, who they blamed for undermining the German economy.
-In January 1920, Hitler became head of party propaganda. In February, Hitler and Drexler wrote the Party’s Twenty-Five Point Programme, a document explaining the policies of the DAP.
Describe Hitler’s Personal Appeal
-At first, support for the DAP depended on popular support for nationalism and socialism but Hitler’s personal appeal as an orator would become vital in attracting support.
-Hitler rehearsed his speeches carefully. They generally began quietly and slowly, building up tension towards an impassioned almost frenzied rant.
-Although these speeches were frantic rages, they were persuasive.
-His gestures were a key part of his appeal. At first, he would lean forward and fix his eyes on the audience, drawing them in. By the end of his speech, his hands would wave vigorously in the air.
-He had publicity photos and paintings produced showing him as an orator.
Describe the Success of Hitler’s Personal Appeal
-At the 46 party gatherings held between November 1919 and November 1920, Hitler appeared on 31 occasions as the star speaker.
-As Hitler’s appeal spread, membership of the DAP grew to 1,000 by June 1920 and 3,000 by the end of 1920.
-Although Hitler was only one of seven on the DAP’s organising committee, there was no doubt that the vast majority of the new members were Hitler’s followers.
Describe the Reorganisation of the DAP
-By 1920, Hitler was Drexler’s right-hand man in the DAP. As 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 Rudolf Schussler, 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.
Describe the Official Establishment of the NSDAP
-Hitler suggested a new name for the party. The two main pillars of the twenty-five point plan were nationalism and socialism.
-Hitler suggested that the party should be called the Nationalist Socialist German Workers’ Party (NSDAP- or Nazi).
-The three parts of the name- nationalist, socialist and workers- 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 its characteristic logo, the swastika, and its straight-armed party salute.
-The party was now easy to distinguish from all the other small nationalist parties in German politics.
Describe the ‘People’s Observer’
-By December 1920, the bigger membership and organisation of the party brought in enough funds for the NSDAP to buy a newspaper- the Völkischer Beobachter (the People’s Observer).
-It cost 180,000 marks. Its initial circulation was 11,000 copies but within a year, it had reached 17,000 copies.
-The voice of the NSDAP was now widely heard, in Munich, across Bavaria and even across other parts of Germany.
Describe Hitler’s Takeover of the NSDAP
-In July 1921, Hitler forced a leadership contest in the party. Drexler was defeated and Hitler became leader of the NSDAP.
-To consolidate his position, he surrounded himself with supporters to help him lead the party.
-They were carefully selected for their skills and the image they would give the party.
Describe Changes to Party Leadership
-Rudolf Hess, a wealthy academic, who became Hitler’s deputy.
-Hermann Goering, a young, dashing and wealthy First World War fighter pilot.
-Julius Streicher, a publisher who founded the Nazi newspaper Der Sturmer (The Stormer).
-Ernst Röhm, a scar-faced, bull-necked, ex-army officer who was popular amongst ex-soldiers.
-Hitler also made powerful friends for the party, such as General Ludendorff, leader of the German Army during the First World War.
Describe the Creation of the SA (Sturmabteilung)
-Sturmabteilung, or stormtroopers, were another way that Hitler kept control of the party. They were formed in August 1921, a month after Hitler took control.
-The SA was a paramilitary force. Many of the SA were recruited from the unemployed. They were often ex-soldiers, demobilised from the army, or students.
-They dressed in brown uniforms and were known as the brownshirts.
-The SA paraded in the streets as a show of force. By August 1922, they numbered about 800 and impressed people with a sense of power organisation.
Describe the Role of the SA
-At NSDAP meetings, the SA was used to control the crowds, subduing any opposition to Hitler, often with violence.
-They were also sent to disrupt opposition meetings. Therefore, the SA strengthened the NSDAP.
-But, the SA also strengthened Hitler. Although Ernst Rohm was put in charge of the SA Hitler expected them to be completely obedient to him.
-Many of the SA were wild characters and difficult to control, so Hitler selected trusted members of the SA to be his own personal bodyguard, known as the Stosstrupp or Shock Troop.
-Hitler controlled the NSDAP like a military leader.
Describe Hitler’s Complete Control Over the NSDAP
-By the party conference of January 1922, Hitler’s control of the NSDAP was complete. He persuaded the members to give up their right to elect the leader.
-There was no discussion of policy at the conference. Hitler dictated policy. His key speech to the party was two and a half hours long. The NSDAP was his party.
