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The rise of Hitler and the Nazi party to January 1933 - Coggle Diagram
The rise of Hitler and the Nazi party to January 1933
key terms
Propaganda
Information (sometimes misleading) that is used to persuade people to hold or believe in certain values and ideas.
Paramilitary
A private group run like a military force.
Lebensraum
‘Living room’; areas of land that the Nazis claimed they would need to acquire to provide space for a growing Aryan population.
Aryans
Those people who Hitler said were the master race.
Article 48
Part of the German constitution; in an emergency the president could make laws by decree, without the approval of the Reichstag.
Scapegoats
People are blamed for something that someone else has done wrong.
Decree
An official order by an individual or group which has the force of law.
Conspiracy
A secret plan with other people to do something bad or illegal.
The SA
The paramilitary wing of the Nazi Party.
Munich Putsch
Hitler’s armed attempt to seize power in Munich was the first step towards overthrowing the Weimar Republic and installing Ludendorff as the German leader. Also known as the Beer Hall Putsch.
Reichstag
Building that housed the German parliament from 1871 to 1945.
Chancellor
The leader of the government or the main government minister of some countries.
key dates
1923 - The Munich Putsch
1924-28 - The reorganisation of the Nazi Party
1929 - The Wall Street Crash
1930 - Reichstag election
1932 - Reichstag election
Jan. 1933 - Hitler appointed Chancellor
Hitler’s involvement in the German Workers Party
oragens of the nazi party
World War I Experience
Lived in Munich in 1914
Joined army (1914)
Fought on Western Front (France)
Conditions:
Harsh & deadly
Heavy losses → only 611/3600 survived after first week
Promoted to Corporal
Awarded Iron Cross
Reaction to defeat:
Shock & disbelief
Soldiers felt misled about victory
Germany After the War
Many Germans felt:
Betrayed
Distrusted government
Wanted:
New ideas to rebuild Germany
Result:
Rise of extreme political groups
Hitler’s Early Political Role (1919)
Worked for army as a spy/informer
Task: monitor political groups
Key Group:
German Workers’ Party (DAP)
Formed January 1919
Led by Anton Drexler
Only ~6 members initially
Hitler:
Attended meetings to gather info
Gradually agreed with their ideas
5. Hitler Joins the Party
Joined: September 1919
At first:
Small & unimportant
Later:
Became rapidly more popular
Party Beliefs
Democracy = weak → need strong leader
Jews blamed for Germany’s weakness
Communists & Socialists blamed for fall of Kaiser
Treaty of Versailles seen as betrayal by Weimar politicians
The changes to the party
Propaganda Role (1920)
Adolf Hitler put in charge of propaganda
Role:
Spread party ideas
Attract new members
Result:
Increase in party popularity & membership
Hitler Becomes Leader (1921)
By 1921 → Hitler = party leader
Leadership style:
Strong control
Clear direction
Party Strategy
Aims kept deliberately vague
Purpose:
Appeal to many different groups
Who Supported the Nazis?
Nationalists
Wanted:
End of Treaty of Versailles
People wanting someone to blame
Attracted by:
Anti-Semitism (blaming Jews for problems)
Middle Class & Businesses
Supported:
Anti-communist ideas
Changes to the Party
25 Point Programme
Hitler + Anton Drexler rewrote party aims
Published as:
25 Point Programme
Name Change
Party renamed:
NSDAP (Nazi Party)
Full name: National Socialist German Workers’ Party
hitlers role in the party
Hitler as a Speaker
Adolf Hitler = talented & powerful speaker
Attracted:
Many new members
Message:
Germany needs strong authoritarian government
Appeal of His Ideas
Popular with:
Critics of the Weimar Republic
Why?
People unhappy with weak leadership
Desire for stability & strength
Key Supporters
Important figures joined:
Ernst Röhm
Impact:
Party became more serious & influential
No longer ignored
Party Growth
By end of 1920:
Membership ≈ 1,100
Result:
Could afford a newspaper:
People’s Observer
Propaganda Expansion
Newspaper used to:
Spread Nazi ideas
Reach wider audience
Move Toward Power
Hitler = undisputed leader
Decision:
Create a military wing
Purpose:
Promote views
Strengthen control
the oragins of the SA
Support from Ex-Soldiers
Many ex-soldiers joined:
e.g. Freikorps
Reasons:
Strong nationalism
Anger at post-WWI settlement
Missed military structure & purpose
Creation of the SA (1921)
Set up by Adolf Hitler
Name:
Sturmabteilung (SA) = Stormtroopers
Leader:
Ernst Röhm
Identity of the SA
Nickname:
“Brownshirts” (brown uniforms)
Members received:
Uniforms
Meals
Accommodation
Role of the SA
Paramilitary force
Main jobs:
Disrupt opposition meetings
Control crowds at Nazi events
Protect Nazi speakers
Frequent:
Violence, especially vs Communists
Impact of the SA
Impressed public with:
Discipline
Organisation
Strength
Activities:
Street parades → show of power
Helped:
Increase Nazi influence
Problems with the SA
Many members:
Unruly & hard to control
Risk:
Violence could damage reputation
Hitler’s Control
Hitler demanded:
Total loyalty & obedience
Even though Röhm led SA:
Hitler had ultimate authority
Stosstrupp (Shock Troop)
Elite group within SA
Handpicked by Hitler
Role:
Personal bodyguard
the munich putch
who's who
Otto von Lossow. head of the army in bavaria. fled during the putsch to join the oppostion to hitler
Gustav von Kahr. Bavarian prime minister. supported hitlers aims
Erich Ludendorff. with hitler,sought Kahrs support in the putsch. led the putsch along with hitler and was aresed as a result
what happen in it
8 November 1923
Hitler and his SA supporters stormed a Munich beer hall.
Hitler forced Kahr and Lossow (who were speaking) to support his plan to march on Berlin and install Ludendorff as Germany’s new leader.
Members of the SA used violence and intimidation against members of the Bavarian state government.
Kahr and Lossow swore loyalty to the putsch and left the beer hall.
9 November 1923 (Morning)
President Ebert declared a state of emergency and ordered Lossow to crush the uprising.
Kahr and Lossow announced their opposition to the putsch.
Ludendorff believed the army would support them and persuaded Hitler not to give up.
9 November 1923 (Midday)
Around 2,000 Nazis and supporters marched into Munich to seize key buildings.
Armed police and soldiers confronted them.
Shots were fired; 14 Nazis were killed.
11 November 1923
Hitler was arrested and awaited trial.
If you'd like, I can also turn this into a shorter revision-friendly summary.
the casue
from 1918 to 1923 the germans doveloped a anger towards the republic due to reportatoins, the stab in the back and the loss of the german colonies
the leaders od the bavarin state govermanet including gustave von kahr were hostile to the republic and suported the NSDAP's views and also choses to ignore the SA vilonce
during 1923 the german economic state worsaned and in 1923 french troops martched into the Ruhr and took over inductry there which meant the germanys lost there main sorce of income and the goverment did not resolve the situatoin
hitler took infuence from mussolinis fascists and changed the nazi flags. in 1922 muccolini lead a march on rome which resulted in him becoming leader of italy
hitler belived the nazi party was ready to seize power as it had 20000 suporters and the SA. hitler build closes relotins with former army leader so he belived the army could be persuaded to support a nazi take over
the result
in february 1924. Hitler, ludendorff, Rohm and other nazi leaders were put on trial. Hitler used it as a stage to promot the goverment as traitors and newspapers across germany and other countrys reported this and his populartiy grew
reorganisation of the Nazi Party
Relaunch of the Party
Ban lifted: February 1925
Hitler restarts Nazi Party
First rally:
Location: Munich Beer Hall (same as Putsch)
Attendance: 4,000 supporters
Publication of Mein Kampf (1925)
Becomes bestseller
Outlines Nazi ideology
2. Key Ideas in Mein Kampf
Race & Superiority
Aryan race is superior → should rule world
Jews = main enemy
Anti-Semitism
Jews accused of:
Conspiracy against Aryans
Weakening race through intermarriage
Taking over businesses & politics
Expansion (Lebensraum)
Need more living space
Invade Eastern Europe (especially Russia)
Remove communism
Treaty of Versailles
Must be overturned
Economy & Society
Wealth should benefit workers, not rich elites
Government
Democracy = weak
One strong leader needed (dictatorship)
Change in Strategy
Failure of Munich Putsch → no more violent revolution
New approach:
Gain power legally (through elections)
Reorganisation of the Party
HQ set up in Munich
Germany divided into 34 districts
Each led by a Nazi official
Key Events
1926 Bamberg Conference:
Hitler confirmed as leader
25 Point Plan reaffirmed
First Nazi rally in Weimar (1926)
. Building Support
Youth & Paramilitary
SA expanded (more young recruits)
Hitler Youth created
SS formed (Hitler’s bodyguard)
Propaganda
Led by Joseph Goebbels
Controlled Nazi newspaper
Strong anti-Jewish messaging
Communication
Public meetings across Germany
Members trained as speakers
Targeting Groups
Created organisations:
Nazi Women’s League
Focus on:
Farmers (struggling in late 1920s)
Limited support for the Nazis,
Nazi Party Position by 1929
Membership:
Over 100,000 members
Well organised after Hitler’s reforms
BUT:
Little success in elections (Reichstag)
Election Results
1924 Election
Nazis (as National Socialist Freedom Movement)
Won 32 seats
1928 Election
Only 12 seats
Support actually declined
Conclusion:
Organisation improved
Popular support still low
. Why Were Nazis Unpopular?
Economic Stability
Led by Gustav Stresemann
Key actions:
Ended hyperinflation
Introduced:
Dawes Plan
Young Plan
Result:
Stronger economy
Improved living conditions
Improved Foreign Relations
Stresemann’s diplomacy:
Locarno Pact
Kellogg-Briand Pact
Germany joined:
League of Nations (1926)
Result:
Germany respected again internationally
Less anger → less support for extremists
Strong Leadership
President: Paul von Hindenburg (from 1925)
War hero → popular with conservatives
Cooperation:
Hindenburg + Stresemann
United moderate parties (left + right)
Result:
Stable coalition governments
Effective leadership
. Public Attitudes
Germans more satisfied:
Economy improving
Politics stable
International respect restored
Therefore:
Less reason to support extreme groups like Nazis
. Nazi Support Base
Strongest support:
Farmers
Reason:
Agriculture struggling in late 1920s
By 1928:
Up to 18% farmer support
The impact of the Great Depression and other factors that helped the Nazis
Wall Street Crash (1929)
Location: New York Stock Exchange (Wall Street)
Cause:
Over-speculation → share prices rose too high
October 1929:
Investors panic → sell shares
Prices collapse
Result:
US businesses collapse
US economy enters depression
. Impact on Germany
USA recalls loans (from Dawes Plan)
Germany cannot repay loans
Consequences:
Financial crisis
Businesses close
Mass unemployment
Economic Effects
Millions lose jobs
Government problems:
Needs more money for benefits
Raises taxes
Later:
Cuts unemployment benefits
Leads to:
Less spending
Lower demand for goods
Further economic decline (cycle of depression)
Young People
By 1933:
Over 50% unemployed (ages 16–30)
Even educated people couldn’t find jobs
Factory Workers
4 in 10 unemployed
Benefits cut
High food prices → poverty & hunger
Farmers
Already struggling since mid-1920s
Problems:
Falling prices
Debt
Result:
Turn to Nazis for support
Nazis use farmers’ groups to spread ideas
Businessmen
Fewer customers (people have less money)
Struggle to stay open
Affected by:
Unemployment
Higher taxes
Unemployment Trend (1928–1933)
1928: Low unemployment
1929–1933:
Sharp rise each year
By 1933:
Extremely high unemployment
Shows severity of the crisis
Political Impact
Coalition government splits:
Heinrich Brüning (Centre Party)
vs Hermann Müller (SPD)
Disagreement:
Brüning → cut benefits
Müller → opposed cuts
Result:
Müller resigns
Brüning becomes Chancellor
Overall Impact
The Great Depression caused:
Economic collapse
Mass unemployment
Poverty and hardship
Political instability
This created conditions for:
Increased support for extremist parties (like Nazis)
The political deal that helped Hitler gain the Chancellorship in 1933
Strong Leader Image
Presented as Germany’s “saviour”
Shown in posters as:
Powerful
Almost superhuman
Promoted as:
The leader Germany needed
Speaking Skills
Powerful, emotional speeches
Key messages:
Germany’s “last hope”
Promise of a better future
Very effective at rallies
Popular Messages
Simple, broad slogans:
“Make Germany strong”
“Smash the chains of Versailles”
Appealed to:
People suffering in the Depression
Nationalists
Those wanting change
Support from Business
Wealthy industrialists feared communism
Backed Hitler financially
Key supporters:
Krupp
Siemens
Why they supported Nazis:
Wanted to stop Communist Party growth
Nazis seen as strong alternative
. Propaganda
Messages carefully targeted
Focus on:
National pride
Fear of communism
Blaming enemies (e.g. Jews, Treaty of Versailles)
Helped Nazis:
Gain widespread attention
Attract different groups
The Role of the SA
Size & Strength
By 1930:
Around 400,000 members
Larger than rivals (e.g. Communists)
Creating an Image of Power
Present at rallies
Used:
Flags
Lights
Uniforms
Made Nazis look:
Organised
Strong
Disciplined
Violence & Intimidation
Disrupted opposition meetings
Attacked political enemies
During elections:
Threatened voters
Some people killed
Hitler’s Path to Power
Nazi Electoral Success
July 1932 election:
Nazis = 230 seats (37.4%)
Largest party in Reichstag
Hitler’s Rising Profile
Presidential election (April 1932):
Hitler wins 13 million votes
Loses to Paul von Hindenburg
Result:
Hitler becomes a major national figure
Fall of Heinrich Brüning
Tried to:
Ban SA & SS using decree
Removed from power by:
Kurt von Schleicher
Hindenburg sacks Brüning
Von Papen’s Weak Government
Franz von Papen becomes chancellor
Backed by:
Army
Wealthy elites
Government weak → lacks support
Hitler demands to be chancellor:
Refused by Hindenburg
November 1932 Election
Nazis lose seats:
Drop to 190 seats
BUT:
Still largest party
Result:
Von Papen resigns
Von Schleicher as Chancellor
Appointed by Hindenburg
Plans:
Military dictatorship
Suspend constitution
Problem:
Plan leaked → loses support
Deal Between Von Papen & Hitler
Von Papen wants power back
Believes he can control Hitler
Plan:
Hitler = Chancellor
Von Papen = Vice Chancellor
Hitler Becomes Chancellor
Date: 30 January 1933
Appointed by:
Paul von Hindenburg
Key reason:
Political elites thought they could control him