Hitler's rise to power, 1919-33

Question 1

Hitler’s early career in the German Worker’s Party

Answer 1

• German Worker’s Party, nationalist led by Anton Drexler
• Hitler joined January 1919 when still in German Army. became known for talent as a passionate and skilled speaker, crowds gathered to listen
• Party began to rely on him to get new members, 1920 made chief of propoganda (1919- 60 members, 1920- 2000)
• 1920 party rebranded National Socialist German Worker’s Party (NSDAP or Nazi party). July 1921, Hitler became leader
• Party nationalist- put interests of Germans at centre. Anti-Semitic and opposed to Weimar Republic. Above all, it wanted to restore Germany’s greatness

Question 2

The Nazi Party’s identity

Answer 2

• February 1920 promoted its policies in the ‘Twenty-Five Point Programme’
• stressed superiority of German People and promoted Anti-Semitism
• wanted to raise pensions, improve health and education but only for Germans
• Rejecting ToV and promoting German greatness gave party nationwide appeal
• 1921, Hitler founded Party militia SA (‘Storm troopers’). SA political thugs- carrying out violent Anti-Semitism, intimidated rival political groups. Many scared of them, but some admired them

Question 3

The Twenty-Five Point Programme
(Optional)

Answer 3

1. The unity of all German-speaking peoples into one greater Germany.
2. The destruction of the Treaty of Versailles.
3. Colonies and land to feed Germany’s population.
4. Only Germans can be citizens. No Jew can be a German.
5. People in Germany who are not citizens must obey special laws for foreigners.
6. Only German citizens can vote, be employed or hold public office.
7. Citizens are entitled to a job and a decent standard of living.
8. No immigration of non-German must be allowed. Anyone who has come since 1914 must be removed.
9. All citizens have equal rights
10. The duty of a citizen is to find employment
11. All unemployment benefits should end.
12. All profits made during the war must be shared.
13. Nationalisation of public industries including electricity and gas.
14. Large companies must share their profits with the workers
15. Pensions must be improved
16. Help for small shops and businesses; large department stores must be closed down to support this.
17. Property reform to give small farmers land
18. Criminals and profiteers must be punished by death.
19. Reform of the law to make it more German.
20. Improve education so that all Germans can find employment
21. Improve people’s health by forcing people to do sport.
22. Abolition of the Army, and a new People’s Army in its place.
23. German newspapers must be free of foreign influence.
24. Freedom of religion.
25. Strong government with unrestricted authority over Germany.

Question 4

Reasons Hitler thought it was the right time for the Munich Putsch

Answer 4

• 1923, things were going badly for Weimar Republic- appeared weak
• Hyperinflation at its peak and there were food riots
• Many angry at French and Belgian invasion of Ruhr. When government stopped resistance by ending strike 1923 discontent increased

Question 5

The Munich Putsch

Answer 5

November 1923
* Hitler’s soldiers occupied a beer hall in Bavarian city of Munich where local government was having meeting. he announced revolution had begun
* Next day Hitler marched into Munich supported by SA. But news of revolt leaked to police, waiting for Hitler. Police fired on rebels and revolt quickly collapsed

Question 6

Hitler’s imprisonment

Answer 6

• Hitler imprisoned for role in Munich Putsch but trial gave valuable publicity
• wrote ‘Mein Kampf’ (my struggle) in prison describing his beliefs and ambitions
• Mein Kampf vital for spreading Nazi ideology- millions of Germans read it. introduced Hitler’s belief that Aryan race was superior to all others and Germans had a right to ‘Lebensraum’ (more space to live)

Question 7

Hitler’s release and change in tactics

Answer 7

• by mid 1920s German economy recovering under Stresemann. Nazi support declined and overturning government by a coup no longer realistic
• Nazi party banned after Munich Putsch, along with SA. Hitler released December 1924 and ban lifted February 1925. Hitler re-established Nazi party with himself as supreme leader
• Hitle changed tactics- now tried to gain control through democracy. involved re-structuring Nazi party so it could be more competitive in elections

Question 8

Bamberg conference

Answer 8

1926-conference with all Nazi leadership. worried that party had become divided- some wanted party to go more a socialist direction. Hitler made it clear party would follow his direction

Question 9

Hitler’s national framework

Answer 9

Nazi party adopted national framework and became more centralised. 1926 Hitler appointed leaders (‘gauleiters’) to run regional branches. Gauleiters controlled by Munich party leadership, supervised district and local branches. brought every level of Nazi party under Hitler’s control.

Question 10

Hitler’s propoganda

Answer 10

Nazi propoganda centrally controlled by Munich leadership. Made propoganda more efficeint. 1926 Hitler re-established SA and used them for propoganda purposes

Question 11

Hitler’s new Nazi organisations

Answer 11

Hitler created new organisations for different social groups. 1926 founded Hitler Youth to attract younger voters, also created societies for different professions e.g. The National Socialist Teachers’ League. these organisations made different sectors of society feel valued by the party

Question 12

The Wall Street Crash

Answer 12

• October 1929 Wall Street stock market in US crashed, sparking an international crisis meaning US couldn’t afford to prop up German economy any more
• Germany’s economic recovery 1924-29 built on unstable foundations dependent on loans from USA agreed in Dawes Plan
• After Wall Street Crash US couldn’t afford to lend Germany money anymore. suspended future payments and wanted some old loans to be repaid

Question 13

Effect of Wall Street Crash on Germany

Answer 13

• German economy collapses without American aid. Industrial production declines- factories closed and banks went out of business
• mass unemployment. October 1929 1.6 million out of work, February 1932 over 6 million

Question 14

Brüning’s economic policies

Answer 14

• Brüning increased price of imported food to help German Agriculture but this also raised food prices
• Government salaries and pensions reduced and taxes increased
• Social services cut back and unemployment benefits reduced
• As many Germans were struggling financially government seemed to be adding pressure by reducing support
• Despite this some historians believe Brüning’s policies would’ve helped it just would’ve taken years to see improvement due to the extent of the economic crisis

Question 15

Discontent due to Brüning’s policies

Answer 15

• Everyday life seemed to be made worse by Brüning’s policies
• designed to help economy but also caused standards of living to fall- Brüning nicknamed the ‘Hunger Chancellor’
• 1932, many different sectors of society discontent with Weimar. High unemployment and reduced benefits also meant government lost some backing from working classes, who always formed large part of their support

Question 16

Government becoming less democratic

Answer 16

• Brüning’s policies wee so unpopular he had difficulty passing them in the Reichstag. he began to rely on ‘Article 48’ of the Weimar constitution. Brüning asked President Hindenburg to suspend the constitution, so he could make decisions without support.
• By 1932, Brüning regularly bypassing parliament to force economic policies through
• Weimar no longer felt democratic and German people felt neglected. the people began to look towards alternative political parties like the Nazi party and Communist party

Question 17

change in Nazi votes 1928-32

Answer 17

• Between 1928 and 1932 Nazi party pulled ahead of Communist party (KPD). Nazis became biggest party in Reichstag
• Between July and November 1932, Nazi party lost votes but still very popular.
• SDP lost support in every federal election

Question 18

Nazi support vs. Communist (KPD) support

Answer 18

• KPD and Nazi party both grew in popularity after depression. Both parties competed for support of Germans hit hard by economic crisis
• Between 1928 and 1932, membership of KPD grew from 130,000 to almost 300,000. However Nazi party membership grew even more rapidly- soon KPD left behind

Question 19

Hitler’s personality and its importance in Nazi popularity

Answer 19

Hitler was patriotic and energetic, able to convey his enthusiasm to supporters. Speeches brought hope to those who listened. In Nazis’ 1932 election campaigns, Hitler depicted as Germany’s saviour- stood up to Weimar government and opposed ‘threat’ of communism

Question 20

Reasons for the rise in Nazi membership

Answer 20

• 1930 membership grown to over 300,000
• After Depression, Nazi party’s popularity soared. Hitler’s promise to make Germany great again appealed to growing ranks of unemployed and young people wanting a brighter future
• Some also supported Nazis’ anti-communist and anti-semitic views. saw communists and jews as scapegoats, blaming for economic problems
• Some wealthy businessmen who lost out in Great Depression turned to Nazis. approved of Nazis’ anti-communist stance, wanting economic prosperity Hitler promised.
• After Depression more Germans voted, increase of 10% between 1928 and 1932, many attracted by changes Nazis promised

Question 21

How Nazi organisation made them stand out, creating popularity

Answer 21

• by 1930s Nazi party seemed strong and organised in comparison to Weimar government. SA held demonstrations, distributed propoganda and appeared more disciplined than they were in 1920s. Nazi party became respectable helping Hitler escure support of middle classes
• Propoganda very efficient. often focuses on regional issues and targeted specific groups. made individuals feel valued by party and stole votes from smaller parties

Question 22

Hitler’s run for president and demands to become Chancellor

Answer 22

• Aoril 1932, economic condition worsened. Country desperate for strong government
• April 1932 presidential elections Hindenberg had to run for re-elctionand despite Hindenburg being a national hero Hitler ran against him. Despite claims Hindenburg would win easily he didn’t win majority at first and only in second he won 53% beating Hitler’s 36.8%
• May 1932, Chancellor Brüning dismissed and replaced by Franz von Papen
• Elections July 1932, Nazis became most popular party, Hitler demanded to be chancellor but Hindenburg didn’t trust him and refused

Question 23

Hitler becomes chancellor

Answer 23

• Nazis lost 34 seats November 1932 election- seemed to lose popularity
• December 1932 Hindenburg replaced Papen with Kurt von Schleicher. Schleicher tried to cause divisions in Nazi party by asking another Nazi to be vice-chancellor- Gregor Strasser, Hitler stopped Strasser accepting
• Papen resented Schleicher suspecting he persuaded Hindenburg to dismiss him. wanted to get back into government, so made deal with Hitler. Agreed if Papen persuaded Hindenburg to make Hitler chancellor, Hitler would make Papen Vice-Chancellor
• January 1933, Papen persuaded Hindenburg to replace Schleicher with Hitler- Papen argued they could control Hitler and use him as a puppet. He was wrong.