Hitler's rise to power, 1919-1933

Question 1

When and where was Adolf Hitler born?

Answer 1

Adolf Hitler was born in 1889 in Austria.

Question 1

What was Hitler’s reaction to the start of World War One?

Answer 1

He was caught up in the excitement and joined the German army.

Question 2

How was Hitler’s military service during World War One?

Answer 2

He was badly wounded twice and won two Iron Crosses for bravery.

Question 3

What impact did Germany’s surrender in November 1918 have on Hitler?

Answer 3

The surrender was a shock to him and profoundly affected his political views.

Question 4

What term did many Germans use to refer to the politicians who signed the armistice in November 1918?

Answer 4

“November Criminals.”

Question 5

Why did some Germans believe Jews were responsible for Germany’s surrender?

Answer 5

Many people were led to believe that Jews in the army and government had encouraged the surrender.

Question 6

What party did Hitler join in 1919?

Answer 6

Hitler joined the German Workers’ Party (DAP).

Question 7

Who led the German Workers’ Party when Hitler joined?

Answer 7

The party was led by Anton Drexler.

Question 8

What role did Hitler take on in the party in 1920?

Answer 8

He became the Party’s leading public speaker and propagandist.

Question 9

What was the new name of the party in 1920?

Answer 9

The party was renamed the National Socialist German Workers Party (NSDAP), or Nazis.

Question 10

When was Hitler elected Party Chairman and leader of the Nazis?

Answer 10

Hitler was elected Party Chairman and leader of the Nazis in 1921

Question 11

What is Social Darwinism in the context of Nazi beliefs?

Answer 11

The idea that the Aryan race was superior and Jews were ‘subhuman’.

Question 12

What does Autarky mean in Nazi ideology?

Answer 12

The idea that Germany should be economically self sufficient.

Question 13

What were the socialist policies in the 25-Point Programme?

Answer 13

Farmers should be given their land, pensions should improve, and public industries such as electricity and water should be owned by the state.

Question 14

What were the nationalist policies in the 25-Point Programme?

Answer 14

All German-speaking people should be united in one country, the Treaty of Versailles should be abolished, and there should be special laws for foreigners

Question 15

How did Nazi Party membership grow from 1920 to 1923?

Answer 15

It grew from 2,000 members at the end of 1920 to 20,000 by the time of the Munich Putsch in November 1923.

Question 16

What were the main roles of the SA?

Answer 16

To protect party meetings, march in Nazi rallies, and intimidate political opponents by breaking up their meetings

Question 17

What event did Hitler try to take advantage of in November 1923 to launch the Munich Putsch?

Answer 17

Hitler tried to take advantage of the hyperinflation crisis facing the Weimar government.

Question 18

What did Kahr and Lossow do on 4 October 1923 that put Hitler in a difficult situation?

Answer 18

Kahr and Lossow called off the rebellion.

Question 19

What happened on the night of 8 November 1923?

Answer 19

Hitler and 600 SA members burst into a meeting held by Kahr and Lossow at a local Beer Hall and forced them to agree to rebel.

Question 20

What were the short-term consequences of the Munich Putsch for the Nazi Party?

Answer 20

banned party and Hitler was prevented from speaking in public until 1927. Hitler was tried for high treason and sentenced to five years in prison.

Question 21

What strategic lesson did Hitler learn from the failure of the Munich Putsch?

Answer 21

would never come to power by revolution
needed to use democratic means,
Nazi Party to take part in elections.

Question 22

Who was Josef Goebbels and what was his role?

Answer 22

Berlin Gauleiter who experimented with new propaganda techniques to spread the Nazi message.

Question 23

What was the Bamberg Conference and when was it held?

Answer 23

special Nazi Party conference-14 February 1926 to address tensions between the northern and southern sections of the party.

Question 24

What was decided at the Bamberg Conference?

Answer 24

Policies seen as communist.
- The 25-Point Programme was reaffirmed as the party’s policy platform
-(Leader Principle) was established, asserting Hitler’s absolute control over the party

Question 25

Why was Germany particularly affected by the global depression?

Answer 25

American banks called in their foreign loans, which had been crucial for Germany’s economic recovery under the Dawes Plan.

Question 26

How did the Communist Red Fighting League and the Nazi SA contribute to the political climate in Germany?

Answer 26

They broke up opposition party meetings, confronted the police, and clashed with each other in street battles.

Question 27

: How did Nazi propaganda utilize technology and media?

Answer 27

By using aeroplanes for Hitler’s speeches, radios to broadcast important speeches, and rallies to excite supporters

Question 28

Who replaced von Papen as Chancellor in December 1932?

Answer 28

Kurt von Schleicher, an army general, was appointed as Chancellor.

Question 29

: What led to Hitler’s appointment as Chancellor in January 1933?

Answer 29

Von Papen/ Hindenburg believed they could control Hitler appointed him as Chancellor with von Papen as Vice Chancellor.

Question 30

What was the main reason Hindenburg and von Papen appointed Hitler as Chancellor?

Answer 30

They believed they could manipulate and control him to achieve their own goals.