Hitler’s rise to power Flashcards
Hitler’s rise to power (1920-22)
Joined German Workers Party (DAP) on 19th September 1919, poorly funded party. Became head of propaganda 1920, July 1921 became the head of the party.
Hitler’s personal appeal in relation to his rise to power (1920-22)
Rehearsed speeches: building tension, varied pitch, tone, volume. Gestures: drawing in audience initially, vigorously waving hands.
Increased membership in DAP
1000 in June 1920 ->
3000 end of 1920
How did Hitler organise the NSDAP? (1920-22)
Established a permanent office in Munich (1920), meaning the part had increased funds, organisation and lead ship. Hitler created the distinguishable logo and the right armed salute.
Dec 1920: buy newspaper (80,000 marks) ‘people’s observer’ - widely received across Germany
11,000 at first -> 170,000 copies within a year
How were the SA used to Hitler’s advantage?
Formed 1921: paramilitary group. Sent to disrupt other parties meetings. Stopped any opposition to Hitler with violence. Ex-soldiers, demobilised. Hard to control, wild. Hitler recruited most trusted to be personal body guards - ‘Strosstrupp’. Brown shirts.
How did the Bamberg Conference help Hitler rise to power?
- Called due to a split in the Nazi party. North - socialist, South - nationalist. Weakened socialist policies, Gregor Strasser (led Northern section) killed due to his socialist favouring. Socialists sent away/killed. Hitler’s power as leader established ‘Fuhrerprinzip’ - leaders principle (everyone follows/agrees with him).
How did Hitler tighten his grip on power through removal of opposition? (political parties)
May 1933: attacked social democratic/communist parties, SS took newspapers/funds
‘Law against founding of new parties’ July 14, 1933
Hitler made a decree that makes all political parties illegal (excluding NSDAP)
Ends all official political opposition
Increased funds for NSDAP
Context to Hitler’s rise to power as Chancellor (1919-33)
Chancellors typically weak due to proportional representation within gov, making it hard for parties to gain majority, making reichstag difficult to control (disagreement)
By 1932, Hindenburg had to use Article 48 to pass almost every law.
Hitler’s timeline for rise to power as Chanceller (April-May 1932)
April - presidential election
Hitler 36% Hindenburg 53%
Hitler campaigned significantly, flew around delivering speeches, SA disrupted communist rallies. Thälmann (communist leader) receives 11% of vote (decreased by 3%)
30th May - Brüning resigns as Hindenburg withdraws support as he banned the SA, announced plan to buy large amounts of land to house unemployed. Largely unpopular, united right wing against him.
30th May: Von paper elected
Von Schleicher suggested. Hitler promised to support if bab on SA lifted. Nazi’s in gov - not as easily manipulated as believed.
Timeline for Hitler’s rise to power as Chancellor
(July-Dec 1932)
July 1932. Reichstag election
Awful gov under Von Papen = more elections = more campaigning for Hitler
Nazis won 230 seats, largest party, Hitler demands von Papen to be sacked and him to be elected as chancellor.
November 1932: von papen sacked
- clung to office, called another election hoping for fall in seats of Nazis
-> did decrease to 196, but still largest party.
Von Schleicher turned against von papen, told Hindenburg a civil war would ensue if he didn’t fall from power.
2nd Dec 1932: von Schleicher elected as chancellor, Hindenburg struggling to form government, still refusing Hitler.
How did Hitler become Chancellor in Jan 1933?
Von Schleicher lacked support from Reichstag/german people. Asked Hindenburg to suspend constitution and make him the figurehead of a military dictatorship, support by army. Hindenburg refuses, military coup impending? In desperation he elects Hitler, as he believed he would be able to be manipulated by him and von Papen (elected as vice-chancellor).
How did Hitler tighten his grip on power due to removal of opposition?
Local Government
Weakened local gov (abolished). Strengthened central gov in Berlin.
1934 (Jan) Hitler stated only governors appointed by him would run regions of Germany.
-> centralised power, in complete control, no change of opposition/uprising/disagreement from local gov.
How did Hitler tighten his grip on power through removal of opposition?
Trade Unions
Nazis broke into trade union offices, arrested officials.
Power from Enabling Act used to ban trade unions, making strikes illegal.
-> stopped opposition from communist workers. Banning strikes ensures a stable economy.
How did Hitler tighten his grip on power through removal of opposition?
Political Parties
May 1933: attacked social democratic/communist parties, SS took newspapers/funds
‘Law against founding of new parties’ July 14, 1933
Hitler made a decree that makes all political parties illegal (excluding NSDAP)
Ends all official political opposition
Increased funds for NSDAP
