Germany - Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party

Question 1

Describe Hitler as a child

Answer 1

1 Born on 20 April 1889
2 He had ability but performed poorly at school
3 He had a poor relationship with his father but was close to his mother
4 Aged 15 he left school altogether
5 The death of his mother affected him deeply

Question 2

What sort of family did Adolf Hitler come from?

Answer 2

A middle-class family that was comfortable by the standards of the day.

Question 3

Describe Hitler as a young man

Answer 3

1 In 1908 he moved to Vienna (aged 19)
2 By 1910 he had gained an interest in politics
3 It was in Vienna he came into contact with Anti-Semitism
4 By 1913 he had moved to Munich and was living there when WWI broke out

Question 4

What was Hitler’s role in WWI?

Answer 4

For most of the war he was a dispatch runner

Question 5

Express Hitler as a soldier

Answer 5

1 He was loyal and conscientious

2 Unlike the other soldiers he never complained about hardship/conditions and never sought leave.

Question 6

What 2 awards did Hitler receive in WWI?

Answer 6

Iron Cross Second Class and Iron Cross First Class

Question 7

How did Hitler’s war end?

Answer 7

In 1918 he was caught in a gas attack and partly blinded

Question 8

Where did Hitler hear of the German surrender?

Answer 8

In hospital recovering, after his gas attack injury

Question 9

What was the impact of the German surrender on Hitler?

Answer 9

It had a profound impact on him. He passionately believed in the idea that Germany had been betrayed.

Question 10

How did Hitler join the German Workers’ Party?

Answer 10

He attended one of their meetings and was stirred by his sense of nationalism regarding Bavaria separating from Germany. He spoke and vigorously opposed the proposal. Such an impact was made he was invited to join.

Question 11

What was Hitler put in charge of when he joined the German Workers’ Party?

Answer 11

Publicity and propaganda

Question 12

What did the German Workers’ Party change their name to?

Answer 12

The National Socialist German Workers’ Party (NSDAP, or NAZI)

Question 13

Describe the Nazi symbols and emblems

Answer 13

1 The swastika
2 Distinctive party salute
3 Party colours of black, red and white.

Question 14

What was the 25 Point Program?

Answer 14

A wide-ranging statement of what the Nazis stood for

Question 15

Describe what was included in the 25 Point Program

Answer 15

Points on: 
1 Nationalism 
2 Socialism 
3 Anti-semitism 
4 Foreign policy

Question 16

Explain what the SA was

Answer 16

The military group that supported the Nazis

Question 17

Who did the SA attract?

Answer 17

Men of all types, many of them no better than thugs and street bullies

Question 18

What was the aim of the SA?

Answer 18

Promote the party in rallies and parades, and above all protect the party leaders from their political opponents.

Question 19

Explain what the Munich Beerhall Putsch in 1923 was

Answer 19

Hitler and the Nazi Party attempted to seize the government of Bavaria by force (it failed)

Question 20

What was the result of the Munich Beerhall Putsch?

Answer 20

16 Nazis and 4 police were killed, and Hitler as well as leaders of the putsch (eg. Ludendorff), were arrested

Question 21

Due to the Munich Beerhall Putsch in 1923, what happened to Hitler’s status?

Answer 21

He went from unknown Bavarian politician to national figure

Question 22

What was the punishment for Hitler as a result of the Munich Beerhall Putsch in 1923?

Answer 22

Hitler received 5 years imprisonment, with parole after 6 months. The court’s leniency showed the judicial system’s attitude towards the Weimar Republic.

Question 23

After the failed Munich Beerhall Putsch in 1923, what did Hitler learn?

Answer 23

Power could not be achieved by force. From that day on, Hitler was committed to coming to power legally, according to the constitution.

Question 24

What was ‘Mein Kampf’?

Answer 24

It was a book written by Hitler in prison. The bulk of the book outlines some of Hitler’s political ideas and his views on race and Germany’s future role in world affairs.

Question 25

How was Hitler treated in prison?

Answer 25

1 He was given his own room
2 Allowed unlimited visitors
3 Given special food
4 He had the company of other Nazis who were also in prison.

Question 26

In ‘Mein Kampf” what were Hitlers beliefs that made up his “worldview”?

Answer 26

1 Extreme nationalism
2 Anti-Semitism
3 Anti-Communism
4 A contempt for liberal democracy and the parliamentary system

Question 27

Explain ‘Social Darwinism’

Answer 27

A concept that suggested that what applied to nature could apply to human society - that the strong prevail over the weak, and that superior races prevail over inferior races.

Question 28

How long was Hitler in prison for?

Answer 28

8 months

Question 29

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

Answer 29

A possible rival had emerged in Gregor Strasser, who had increased the party’s influence in the industrial regions of northern Germany.

Question 30

What was the SS?

Answer 30

A highly disciplined elite group, whose initial role was to be Hitler’s personal bodyguard

Question 31

Name some important figures in the Nazi movement

Answer 31

1 Hermann Goring 
2 Joseph Goebbels 
3 Rudolf Hess 
4 Heinrich Himmler 
5 Ernst Rohm 
6 Martin Bormann