Nazi Party’s rise to power Flashcards
How did the Nazi Party appeal to so many?
Hitler’s public speaking skills.
Technology: aeroplanes taking Hitler all over country. Radios to broadcast important speeches/rallies.
Flexibility: range of policies/slogans aimed at a range of people e.g ‘Arbeit und Brot’.
What was the early leadership of the NSDAP like? (1920-22)
July 1921 Hitler becomes leader, surrounds himself with a meticulously selected loyal, skilled team, achieving a certain imagine.
Rudolf Hess (Hitler’s deputy): wealthy academic
Goering: young ‘dashing’ WW1 fighter pilot
Julius Streicher: publisher founded other Nazi Newspaper - Der Strümer. Very critical against jews.
Ernst Röhm - leader of SA, popular amongst ex soldiers, tough.
What was the 25 point programme?
Presented in Munich. Feb 24, 1920. Focussed on Hitler’s appeal, party organisation, party leadership, SA
Opposed: weimar politicians (who deposed the Kaiser and accepted Treaty of Versailles terms ‘November Criminals/Stab in the back theory’.
Democracy: believe it was weak
Jews: blamed for undermining German economy.
Evidence of the increase in popularity/appeal of the Nazi party
1928: 12 seats in Reichstag
1932: 230 seats, largest party
Wealthy/middle classes: feared losing wealth to communism, prioritised traditional values lost during Golden Era.
Nationalists: hated the ToV and reparations, blamed for depression. Nazis promised a strong Germany.
How did party reorganisation increase support for the Nazis? (1924-28)
Became National: 35 regions
No longer violent
‘Mini-state’: miniature government type of form (e.g minister for foreign affairs, education, finance)
Decreased by 20 seats in Reichstag from 1924-28
What were the long-term causes for the Munich Putsch?
1919-23
Growing resentment of Weimar Republic due to reparations, loss of colonies + ‘stab in the back theory’. Barvarian government (where the NSDAP were based) shared this resentment and therefore ignored violence of SA.
What were the medium term causes for the Munich Putsch?
NSDAP influenced by Mussolini (facist) in Italy, who in 1922 forced government to accept him as leader through a paramilitary group march.
What were the short term causes of the Munich Putsch?
Hyperinflation/french invasion of the Ruhr: a decrease in faith in Weimar republic.
Time was ‘right’ for Hitler to try to gain power through exploring these grievances.
What was the result of the Munich Putsch?
8-9 November 1923
3 police, 16 Nazis killed during gun battle after Von Kahr (head of Barvarian government) lies to Hitler and escapes, calling the police, leading to a march.
Nazi party banned
Hitler banned from speaking publicly until 1927.
Sentenced to 5 years, should’ve been given capital punishment. Nazis given light sentences, Ludendorff received no sentence.
What were the three main themes of Nazi propaganda?
Scaepegoating Jewish People
The Führer - Germany’s saviour
Volksgemeinschaft (people’s community) tradition
Why is the Reichstag Fire so significant?
27th Feb 1933
Dutch communist Van der Lubbe sets fire to Reichstag building (supposedly).
Days later Hitler failed to win majority in election, had to join with nationalists to complete a majority.
Beginning of end of democracy.
How did the Reichstag Fire enable Hitler/the nazi party rise to power?
Hitler persuaded Hindenburg to pass Reichstag fire decree, giving power to arrest/incarcerate without proof or charge.
Central gov power overruled state law, banned free speech, right to protest.
Imprisoned political opponents, 25,000 arrests
Banned communist newspapers
Reduced communist power in gov, KPD losing 81 seats, leading to a 2/3 Nazi party Majority.
Enabling Act
Lost communist seats in gov gave NSDAP 2/3 majority, giving Hitler power to pass enabling act.
Hitler able to pass laws without Reichstag approval for 4 years.
444 votes for - 94 votes against
Ss used to intimidate/persuade voters.
Marked end of democracy/weimar rule.
