Key Events. Flashcards
What happened in 1919?
In 1919, after World War 1, Hitler was just a soldier who had earned a medal for his bravery. He was described by his comrades to be a “loner” and quite “peculiar”. He joined the German Worker Party, and with his good oratorical skills and propaganda, he was able to become the leader. The party was based in Munich.
What happened in the 1920s?
In the 1920s, the party was slowly gaining recognition. In November 1923, Hitler attempted a coup at a beer hall where a meeting was taking place, but the revolt failed and ended in confusion. After a few more failed revolts, Hitler had to have a trial. The trial allowed him to access a wider audience, and the judge gave him a soft sentence for treason that was only 9 months, starting from February 1924.
What happened while Hitler was in prison?
Hitler was sent many letters, parcels, and sweets, and had many visitors during his time in prison. This commemorated his growing popularity. While he was in prison, he wrote his memoir “Mein Kampf” - “My Struggle” This was a shortened version his publisher added instead of the original “My Struggles against Lies and Stupidity”. His book detailed that Jews were the source of the problem- he believed that both communism and capitalism were Jewish conspiracies to wreck Germany.
What happened in 1928?
When Hitler was released, the party, now the Nazi party in name and with a new symbol, were ready to amass support. They turned their focus to getting votes for the German Parliament Election. However, in 1928, they only had 3 percent of the votes in the German Parliament Election. This changed at the start of the 1930s, when the Great Depression begun.
What happened in the 1930s?
Germany was already struggling economically, due to WW1 and being forced to pay reparations. When the Weimar Republic began printing more and more money to try solve the issue, it led to hyperinfiation. The people were furious. They blamed the Weimar Republic for agreeing to the Treaty of Versailles. People turned to extremists like Hitler for a solution.
What happened in 1932?
In 1932, Hitler ran in the presidential race, but lost to Paul von Hindenburg. However, Hitler had 36 percent of the votes, which showed he was a force to be reckoned with. Paul von Hindenburg, after Hitler’s skilful manoeuvres, selected him to be the Chancellor. A month later, the Reichstag Fire happened, and Hitler blamed a Communist and the Communist Party.
What did Hitler do to the Communists?
Hitler asked for a decree that would allow him emergency power to deal with this threat. It was agreed, and Communists were now persecuted. Hitler rendered all of the Communist Party’s votes null due to what happened, and this allowed his party to take up 50 percent of the Parliament.
What happened because of the Enabling Act?
After an overwhelming 69 percent voted in agreement (the Nazis had threatened to kill members of smaller parties, e.g. the Bavarian Party’s members and families, if they did not vote in agreement), their plan succeeded. Only the Communist and Democratic parties were against Hitler. With the new Enabling Act, all parties were forced to disband, and another vote took place, with the only option being the Nazi Party.
What happened after Paul von Hindenburg died?
When Hindenburg died on August 2nd, 1934, everyone knew there would be no election. Hitler combined the chancellor and the presidency, and became the Führer (leader!).
