The Nazi rise to power and the end of the Weimar Republic

Question 1

What party was founded in 1919 in Munich?

Answer 1

The German Works Party (DAP) was founded by Anton Drexler in Munich, Bavaria.

Question 2

When did Adolf Hitler attend a DAP meeting?

Answer 2

Adolf Hitler attended a DAP meeting in September 1919.

Question 3

How many members did the DAP have by the end of 1919?

Answer 3

The DAP only had 50 members by the end of 1919.

Question 4

What role did Hitler take on in the DAP?

Answer 4

Hitler became responsible for recruitment and propaganda.

Question 5

What political manifesto did Hitler and Drexler write in February 1920?

Answer 5

They wrote The 25 point programme.

Question 6

What was the new name of the DAP after adding ‘National Socialist’?

Answer 6

It became known as the NSDAP.

Question 7

What significant action did the NSDAP take in 1920?

Answer 7

The party grew rapidly and started to publish its own newspaper - The Volkisher Beobachter (‘People’s Observer’).

Question 8

When did Hitler become the leader of the NSDAP?

Answer 8

Hitler became leader of the NSDAP in July 1921.

Question 9

What title did Hitler adopt, and what did it mean?

Answer 9

Hitler adopted the title Fuhrer, meaning ‘leader’, which for him meant absolute power and authority.

Question 10

What principle became the cornerstone of the NSDAP organization?

Answer 10

The Fuhrerprinzip (leadership principle).

Question 11

What emblem did Hitler adopt for the party?

Answer 11

Hitler adopted the Swastika as the emblem of the party.

Question 12

What was the protection squad that Hitler employed in 1921?

Answer 12

It developed into the Sturmabteilung, SA (Stormtroopers), led by Ernst Rohm.

Question 13

What was the growth of Nazi membership from 1920 to 1923?

Answer 13

Nazi membership grew from 1,100 in 1920 to 55,000 in 1923.

Question 14

What event in October 1929 had far-reaching consequences?

Answer 14

The Wall Street Crash led to the Great Depression.

Question 15

What did Hitler believe the Nazi Party could do by 1923?

Answer 15

He believed they could overthrow the regional government in Munich and march on Berlin.

Question 16

Who were the leaders of the Bavarian government during the Munich Putsch?

Answer 16

The Bavarian government was led by von Kahr, army chief von Lossow, and police chief von Seisser.

Question 17

What happened on 8th November 1923?

Answer 17

Hitler and 600 Nazis seized the Burgerbraukeller where the Bavarian government was meeting.

Question 18

What happened on 9th November 1923?

Answer 18

Von Seisser and von Lossow changed their minds and organized troops to resist Hitler’s planned march.

Question 19

What is the Munich Putsch?

Answer 19

The events surrounding Hitler’s failed coup attempt in November 1923.

Question 20

What was the outcome of the Putsch?

Answer 20

The Putsch resulted in sixteen Nazis and four policemen being killed.

Question 21

What happened to Hitler after the Putsch?

Answer 21

Hitler disappeared but was arrested two days later, the same day the Nazi Party was banned.

Question 22

What was Hitler arrested for?

Answer 22

He was arrested for treason.

Question 23

When did Hitler’s trial begin?

Answer 23

The trial began in February 1924.

Question 24

How long did Hitler’s trial last?

Answer 24

It lasted one month.

Question 25

What did Hitler use the trial for?

Answer 25

He used it as a public platform to announce his political beliefs.

Question 26

What was the verdict of Hitler's trial?

Answer 26

Hitler was found guilty of treason.

Question 27

What was Hitler's sentence?

Answer 27

He received a minimum sentence of 5 years.

Question 28

How long did Hitler actually serve in prison?

Answer 28

He served only nine months in Landsberg prison.

Question 29

What did Hitler complete while in prison?

Answer 29

He completed his autobiography Mein Kampf ('My Struggle').

Question 30

What key ideas are included in Mein Kampf?

Answer 30

It included the abolition of the Treaty of Versailles and the elimination of Jews from Germany.

Question 31

What concept did Hitler create in Mein Kampf?

Answer 31

The idea of Volksgemeinschaft (people's community).

Question 32

What was Hitler's desire for Lebensraum?

Answer 32

To create a greater Germany incorporating all German speaking people.

Question 33

When was the Nazi Party relaunched?

Answer 33

In February 1924, the Nazi Party was relaunched and Hitler began to take control once again.

Question 34

What significant event occurred at the Bamberg Conference in 1926?

Answer 34

Hitler appointed Gregor Strasser as Propaganda Leader.

Question 35

Who did Hitler appoint as Gauleiter of Berlin?

Answer 35

Hitler appointed Josef Goebbels as Gauleiter of Berlin.

Question 36

What action did Hitler take regarding Rohm?

Answer 36

Hitler forced Rohm to resign as leader of the SA.

Question 37

What bodyguard unit did Hitler create?

Answer 37

Hitler created his own bodyguard unit, the Schutzstaffel, known as the SS.

Question 38

What youth organization did Hitler establish?

Answer 38

The HitlerJugend (Hitler Youth) was set up to rival other youth groups.

Question 39

What change was made to the 25 Point Programme in 1928?

Answer 39

It was amended to state that privately owned land would be confiscated if owned by a Jew.

Question 40

How did Nazi Party membership change from 1925 to 1928?

Answer 40

Nazi Party numbers grew from 27,000 members in 1925 to over 100,000 by the end of 1928.

Question 41

How many seats did the Nazis win in the 1928 elections?

Answer 41

The Nazis won only 12 seats in parliament in the 1928 elections.

Question 42

What electoral group did Hitler target?

Answer 42

Hitler targeted the lower classes as a key electoral group.

Question 43

Who replaced Strasser as Party Propaganda Leader?

Answer 43

Goebbels replaced Strasser as Party Propaganda Leader.

Question 44

What economic event occurred in 1929?

Answer 44

The Wall Street Crash created an economic disaster and unemployment began to rise again in Germany.

Question 45

What happened to the Nazi Party during Hitler's time in prison?

Answer 45

The Nazi Party had been banned but survived secretly.

Question 46

What impact did the Wall Street Crash have on the Nazi Party?

Answer 46

The Wall Street Crash and depression created circumstances that greatly favoured the Nazi Party.

Question 47

What happened to the loans made under the Dawes Plan after the Crash?

Answer 47

The USA withdrew the loans made under the Dawes Plan.

Question 48

What was the state of the German economy after 1929?

Answer 48

The Great Depression crippled the German economy, leading to widespread unemployment.

Question 49

How many Germans were unemployed by early 1932?

Answer 49

By early 1932, the total figure exceeded 6 million.

Question 50

Which party was growing alongside the Nazis during the depression?

Answer 50

The German Communist Party (KPD) was growing and promised a way out of the depression.

Question 51

Who replaced Chancellor Muller in March 1930?

Answer 51

Henrich Bruning of the Centre Party replaced Chancellor Muller.

Question 52

What did Bruning rely on to govern?

Answer 52

Bruning did not have a majority and had to rely on President Hindenburg using Article 48.

Question 53

What was the outcome of the September 1930 general election?

Answer 53

The Nazis became the second biggest party in Germany.

Question 54

How many newspapers did the Nazis own by the early 1930s?

Answer 54

By the early 1930s, the Nazis owned 120 newspapers.

Question 55

What was a significant achievement for the Nazi Party in the 1930 election?

Answer 55

The Nazis gained 107 seats, 95 more than the previous election.

Question 56

What happened in the 1932 presidential elections?

Answer 56

Hitler was defeated by Hindenburg.

Question 57

How many seats did the Nazis win in the Reichstag in 1932?

Answer 57

The Nazis won 230 seats and had become the largest party in the Reichstag.

Question 58

What did Chancellor von Papen do in September 1932?

Answer 58

Von Papen dissolved the Reichstag.

Question 59

What was the result of the November 1932 elections for the Nazis?

Answer 59

The Nazis' share of the vote dropped to 196 seats, but they remained the largest party.

Question 60

Who succeeded von Papen after he resigned?

Answer 60

Von Schleicher succeeded von Papen after he resigned.

Question 61

What coalition did von Papen propose to Hindenburg?

Answer 61

Von Papen convinced Hindenburg that a coalition government with Hitler as chancellor would save Germany.

Question 62

When did Hitler become chancellor?

Answer 62

On January 30, 1933, Hitler became chancellor.