Hitler's Rise to Power Part One An overview of the causes of Hitler’s rise to power in Germany. 29/06/2016Weimar and Nazi Germany1

Overview The Nazi Party was formed in 1919 Hitler joined the party shortly after its inception Germany was in a state of disarray after the First World War There were many extremist groups in Germany at the time 29/06/2016Weimar and Nazi Germany15

Origins 1919 – German Worker’s Party (Anton Drexler) 1919 – Hitler becomes member 7 Up until 1929 – fringe party Key ideas – ‘November Criminals’ – Anti-Versailles – Oppose communism – Anti-democracy

Development 1920 – National Socialist German Workers’ Party adopted 25 Point Programme (Drexler / Hitler) Key ideas:- – Nationalism / racism – YES! – Workers’ party – most popular in rural areas – Socialist ?? Volkesgemeinschaft (People’s community) anti-capitalism Socialist membership – e.g. Rohm and Strasser

The Strasser Brothers Gregor Strasser (joined 1920) – Took part in Munich Putsch – Gifted orator and reorganises the Party after 1925 under Hitler’s leadership – Built up support in Northern Germany – Opposed Hitler’s anti-semitism – 1930 – 2 nd most powerful Nazi after Hitler Otto Strasser (joined 1925) – Former member of SPD – Advocated racism and nationalism – Appealed to lower m/c and workers – Left party in 1930 – opposed abandoning workers

Hitler 1921 – resigns over Drexler’s policy to cooperate with other parties Hofbrauhaus meeting – Hitler invited back into NSDAP and given total control: ousts Drexler 1921 established Volkischer Beobachter (People’s Observer) and the Sturmabteilung (SA) Received protection from police, judiciary and army leadership Received support of influential Munich families: Lemanns and Brucksteins

The SA Sturmabteilung – 1920 By 1933 membership = 1/2m Led by Ernst Rohm – Thuggish behaviour – Loyalty to Hitler – Hatred of Communism – Disaffected youth – Hitler was invited into government in 1933 in order to control them!

1923: Violent uprising By 1923 the Nazi party had gained much support in Bavaria. Now firmly under the control of Adolf Hitler the group will attempt to seize control of the government through use of force. This is against the background of the Ruhr Crisis and Hyperinflation. 29/06/2016Weimar and Nazi Germany21

Munich, why and how? Kapp Putsch and Walter Rathenau Lossow and Kahr (right-wing leaders) encourage an uprising, prompted by the French invasion of the Ruhr Hitler forced them to consider march on Berlin SA seize Bavarian government members Ludendorff (WWI general) lends support 2,000 Nazis march on Munich, Ebert declares emergency 14 Nazis killed, Hitler dislocates shoulder and flees Leading Nazis including Hitler and Strasser along with Ludendorff are arrested PUTSCH FAILS

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Why was the Beer Hall Putsch so significant? The trial provided Hitler with a platform This platform attracted many right-wing sympathisers For the first time Hitler became a national political figure He emerged with a reputation as a leading right-wing politician The putsch was therefore significant in the longterm progress of the Nazi Party

Munich: consequences Hitler put on trial – defends his case and achieves national fame Nazis become 3 rd largest party in Bavaria Judge is a known right-wing sympathiser Hitler given 5 years and serves only 9 months Ludendorff let off as he was after Kapp Putsch Hitler kept in good conditions at Landsberg Whilst there he dictates Mein Kampf

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What did Hitler do when he was in prison? He began work on his book ‘Mein Kampf’ which contained many key policies such as: The overthrow of ‘Versailles’ ‘Greater Germany’ The importance of race The need for ‘lebensraum’ The ‘Fuhrerprinzip’

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What happened upon his release? He faced a number of serious problems: The Nazi Party was very divided Electoral support was declining Membership of the Party was also in decline Germany entered a period of economic recovery which lessened the appeal of extremist parties like the Nazis

Regrouping Whilst in prison Hitler analyses the parties strategy Political Strategies are developed and refined Shift to winning electoral support Development of propaganda tools Attempts to win support of big business 29/06/2016Weimar and Nazi Germany33

Focus on traditional values Builds fear of Left Wing groups Continued use of military imagery Lack of electoral support due to relative prosperity in Germany at the time 29/06/2016Weimar and Nazi Germany34

The Nazis After Munich Due to Hitler’s imprisonment, the NSDAP nearly disintegrates in 1924 When released Hitler commits party to ‘legal means’ and the Fuhrerprincip to win ‘mass support’ 1925 Party is reorganised by Gregor Strasser 1928 Goebbels appointed as Propaganda Chief

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The Bamberg Conference 1926 At a conference called at Bamberg in February 1926, Hitler firmly re-established his control over the Party, making it clear that there was no room for disagreement with his views. Following the conference, the Party structure was completely overhauled. It became very hierarchical, with the country divided into Gau (regions), based on the Weimar electoral districts. Each Gau was controlled by a Gauleiter who was responsible for promoting the interests of the Party and controlling the smaller areas into which each Gau was divided.

In what ways did the Nazi Party ‘change direction’ at Bamberg? Hitler re-established control over the Party Party structure was completely overhauled: A ‘Gauleiter’ was in control of each district and each district was subdivided into smaller units – block, zell etc The Party would now work within the Weimar system to obtain power rather than attempting revolution

Why was Nazi progress slow 1925 – 1929? Hitler had to re-establish his authority after his time in prison A great deal of time was spent on internal reorganisation of the Party These years were marked by economic recovery in Germany The Dawes and Young Plans reduced Germany’s debt under Versailles

What were the Nazis doing that would lay the basis for their success? Propaganda, using modern methods, to transmit Nazi views to the masses Reorganisation of the S.A. which grew to a force of 100,000 Creation of the S.S. as an elite force Establishment of the ‘Hitler Jugend’ to appeal to young Germans Special interest groups were formed

Why would certain sections of society begin to support Hitler?

SKILLED WORKERS They felt unrepresented by Trade Unions and the Social Democrats New industries had less need of skilled labour because of production-line techniques Their incomes had not kept pace with increases for unskilled workers Communism would result in a ‘levelling down’ Mass unemployment after 1929

MIDDLE CLASS Many had been ruined by the hyperinflation of 1923 The felt Weimar governments had been to left wing They resented ‘big business’ Fear of communism Fear, after 1929, of further economic ruin Opposition to modern trends in art & society

INDUSTRIALISTS They feared the Trade Unions Saw the Nazis as a safeguard against communism and nationalisation Were more in favour of authoritarian government Were promised ‘full order books’ should the Nazis come to power

What effects did the Wall Street Crash have on the Nazi vote? Moderate political parties lost ground as they seemed to have no answer to the crisis Germans increasingly turned to extremist parties (like the Nazis) to solve their problems The crash increased support for the KPD and fear of communism caused many to turn to the Nazis Most sectors of society (for different reasons) were attracted to the Nazis In September 1928 the Nazi vote gave them 12 seats in the Reichstag; in July 1930 they gained 107 seats and in March 1932, with 230 seats became the biggest party in Germany

Why was this such a turning point for the Nazis?

“In 1929 the golden age of the Weimar Republic came to an end. This was caused by an economic crisis that created political problems. These problems in turn led to the total collapse of democracy in Germany.” Modern World History, p.152

Why did the Nazis become the most powerful party in Germany? Economic causes Political causes Hitler’s tactics

Economic causes Wall Street Crash (October 1929) Wall Street Crash (October 1929) American banks demanded repayment of loans American banks demanded repayment of loans German businesses slumped or went bankrupt German businesses slumped or went bankrupt Statistics: 1.8 million unemployed (1928) Statistics: 1.8 million unemployed (1928) 6 million (1932) 6 million (1932)

Economic causes People could not afford rents or mortgages People could not afford rents or mortgages Shantytowns Shantytowns Begging on streets Begging on streets People lost faith in Weimar Republic People lost faith in Weimar Republic Growth of political extremists Growth of political extremists

Political causes Streseman died, October 1929 Streseman died, October 1929 Disagreement among coalition parties (Centre Party & SPD) Disagreement among coalition parties (Centre Party & SPD) 3 alternatives: print more money 3 alternatives: print more money cut unemployment cut unemployment raise taxes raise taxes

Political causes Hermann Muller (leader of SPD) refused to cut benefits to save money and resigned Hermann Muller (leader of SPD) refused to cut benefits to save money and resigned Heinrich Bruning (leader of Centre Party) lacked support in Reichstag and used Article 48 to pass legislation Heinrich Bruning (leader of Centre Party) lacked support in Reichstag and used Article 48 to pass legislation

Hitler’s tactics Support for Nazis grew rapidly, Support for Nazis grew rapidly, Hitler toured air by plane Hitler toured air by plane Speeches Speeches Modern technology, microphones & radio Modern technology, microphones & radio

Hitler’s tactics Joseph Goebbels responsible for propaganda Joseph Goebbels responsible for propaganda Nazis owned 8 newspapers Nazis owned 8 newspapers

Hitler’s tactics Wealthy supporters, e.g. Alfred Hugenberg (leader of German National Party, DNVP & newspaper owner); Thyseen (steel manufacturer) Wealthy supporters, e.g. Alfred Hugenberg (leader of German National Party, DNVP & newspaper owner); Thyseen (steel manufacturer) Promises to reduce powers of trade unions Promises to reduce powers of trade unions

Hitler’s tactics SA Numbers increased from to 400,000 by 1932 Street battles, bullying tactics

What was the appeal of Hitler’s policies? General appeal Elite Workers & Peasants Racial minorities YoungWomen NegativesPositives

General appeal ‘Stabbed in the back’ theory of the Treaty of Versailles ‘Stabbed in the back’ theory of the Treaty of Versailles Failures of Weimar Republic, Failures of Weimar Republic, Exploited suffering caused by Great Depression Exploited suffering caused by Great Depression Anti-semitism Anti-semitism

Elite Feared communist uprising Feared communist uprising Supported Nazis (e.g. paid for Nazi electoral campaigns) Supported Nazis (e.g. paid for Nazi electoral campaigns) Lost confidence in Weimar Republic Lost confidence in Weimar Republic Suspicious of Hitler’s background – hoped to control him within government (using Hindenburg & von Papen) Suspicious of Hitler’s background – hoped to control him within government (using Hindenburg & von Papen) Traditionally supported Nationalist Party Traditionally supported Nationalist Party

Workers & Peasants Farmers Badly affected by Depression and slump in food prices Nazis promised financial support & incentives for farming communities Naturally supported socialist & communists

Workers & Peasants Germany suffering from economic depression Germany suffering from economic depression 6 million unemployed (1933) 6 million unemployed (1933) Nazis promised to end unemployment & financial hardship Nazis promised to end unemployment & financial hardship Traditionally supported socialists & communists Traditionally supported socialists & communists

Racial minorities No discrimination under Weimar governments No discrimination under Weimar governments Hitler made Jews scapegoats for Treaty of Versailles Hitler made Jews scapegoats for Treaty of Versailles Anti-Semitism in Nazi Party (e.g. Mein Kampf) Anti-Semitism in Nazi Party (e.g. Mein Kampf)

The young Disappointed with Weimar Government Disappointed with Weimar Government Attracted by career opportunities within Nazi Party Attracted by career opportunities within Nazi Party Impressed by activities of Hitler Youth Movement Impressed by activities of Hitler Youth Movement Joined Hitler Youth to rebel against family constraints Joined Hitler Youth to rebel against family constraints

Women Greater emphasis on role of women as mothers & housewives Greater emphasis on role of women as mothers & housewives Improved women’s rights under Weimar Republic Improved women’s rights under Weimar Republic Nazi opposed to female careerism Nazi opposed to female careerism

Women Disliked move away from traditional family values in Weimar Constitution Disliked move away from traditional family values in Weimar Constitution Liked Nazi appeal to family & emphasis on role of women as mothers & housewives Liked Nazi appeal to family & emphasis on role of women as mothers & housewives

How far do the unemployment statistics in the Weimar Republic help to explain the rise of the Nazis?

The Nazi Party did not exist when the Weimar Republic was founded, yet by 1933 Hitler was Chancellor of Germany. One explanation of Hitler’s rise to power is to be found by analysing the relationship between unemployment in Germany and the votes received by the Nazi Party. As the statistics in the presentation will show there is a clear link between the two things. HOWEVER remember that no matter how strong and compelling the link looks you MUST try to think of the other factors that could help to explain the link and the rise of the Nazis to power.

In May 1924, the economic crisis in the Weimar Republic was at its height. Hyperinflation was rampant and unemployment stood at 2 million (13.5%), its peak for the period,. In this context the Nazis fought their first election and achieved a very creditable 32 seats in the Reichstag (6.7% of the total). Unemployment Nazi seats

By November 1924, the economic crisis in the Weimar Republic was coming to an end. The hyperinflation had been brought under control following the introduction of the Rentenmark, and unemployment had fallen by half since May to 1 5million (6.7%). In this context the Nazi policies were far less attractive and they lost seats in the Reichstag, falling to just 14 members (2.8% of the total). Unemployment Nazi seats

In May 1928, the Weimar Republic was at its popular peak. The crisis of seemed only a bitter memory as the economy boomed and unemployment remained relatively low. Even though it had risen to 1.5 million (10%) since 1924, this was not seen as a huge problem. In this situation the Nazis seemed to be a spent force in elections, gaining just 12 Reichstag seats (2.4% of the total). Unemployment Nazi seats

By September 1930, the economy of Germany was in deep depression as a result of the Wall Street Crash of November 1929 and the recall of the American loans that had propped it up. Unemployment had rocketed to 3.1 million (15.3%), and the Weimar politicians seemed incapable of solving the problems. In this situation the Nazis began to be seen as a way out, and their support rose. They gained 107 Reichstag seats (18.5% of the total). Unemployment Nazi seats

By July 1932, the economic depression that followed the 1929 crash was at its peak. Unemployment had continued to rise and now stood at 5.5 million (30.1%). The faith of the German people in democracy seemed to be totally shattered. The Nazis continued their meteoric rise in popularity in this election, winning 230 Reichstag seats (37.8% of the total).

By November 1932, the economic depression was beginning to come to an end. Unemployment had started to fall, but still stood at the vast figure of 5 million (27%). It seemed as though the crisis was over. Support for the Nazis fell slightly, but they still remained the largest single party in the Reichstag by far, with 196 seats (33.5% of the total).

The elections of March 1933 do not fit the pattern of those between 1924 and With unemployment falling (to 4.5 million or 23.3%), the trend of the graph shows us that the Nazis should have lost more seats. However their seats in the Reichstag rose to 288 or 44.5% of the total. So although the link between the level of German unemployment and Nazi votes is clear up to 1932, it breaks after that date.