Section 2.1 - The Nazi party: origins, ideas and early development

Question 1

Hitler’s introduction to the party and the reconstruction

Answer 1

1919 - was ordered by his superiors in the army to infiltrate a nationalist party, however on his arrival they seemed to be a group of debaters who shared his views

1920 - the DAP turned into the NSDAP (Nazis) and Hitler took a dominant role

Question 2

Progress in the party made initially by Hitler

Answer 2

• In early 1920 the 25 point programme was published streamlining the party’s views
• The party renamed itself to a more inclusive and finalised NSDAP
• A newspaper was bought to popularise the party’s views
• Small party branches were set up in Bavaria and other parts of Germany
• Party rallies now held and were increasingly well attended
• The paramilitary organisation was established in 1921 and called the “SA”

Question 3

“Beer Hall Putsch”

Answer 3

• 1923 November

Question 4

Hitler’s Treason trial

Answer 4

• 1924 February
• Sympathetic, right wing judges allowed him to make the well publicised trial a platform for Nazi propaganda
• He was found guilty but left prison in under a year in December 1924, after writing Mein Kampf
• Important for Nazism as it attracted a lot of publicity, and made Hitler a household name
• Hitler truly believed himself to be the saviour after this

Question 5

Beliefs and ideals of the party

Answer 5

Ultra-nationalism
- Believed the German people were superior and that it was their duty to expand and conquer

Racism and Anti-Semitism
- Believed the jews were a seperate race out to achieve world domination, while other races were merely inferior to “Aryan”/”Nordic” Germans

Authoritarianism
- Rejected democracy and believed in an all powerful leader, later to be Hitler as the “Fuhrer”

Anti-Capitalism
- Sympathetic to the plight of the worker, however Hitler didn’t take this element seriously

Question 6

Priorities of the Nazis

Answer 6

• Instead of a restoration of the monarchy Hitler wanted “a man chosen by destiny to lead”
• Hitler wanted to expand East and get living space in the Soviet union
• Wanted a “National community” with equality for all pure German citizens

Question 7

After Prison

Answer 7

• Nazis were banned and so was Hitler from public speaking
• Gregor Strasser ran the main party while Hitler was imprisoned and made adjustments in favour of socialism
• ## At the Bamburg conference in 1926 Hitler demanded absolute loyalty and obedience

Question 7

After Prison

Answer 7

• Nazis were banned and so was Hitler from public speaking
• Gregor Strasser ran the main party while Hitler was imprisoned and made adjustments in favour of socialism
• At the Bamburg conference in 1926 Hitler demanded absolute loyalty and obedience
• Later “Fuhrerprinzip” was added and the “heil Hitler” became a required greeting