THE RISE AND FALL OF THE NAZI PARTY

How Hitler became involved… Hitler had been classed as heroic in the war and when it ceased he remained with the army in Munich. He was recruited to spy on a small political party growing in Germany to see if it would be of use of spreading nationalist propaganda. The Party was originally labelled The German Workers Party (DAP) and in Jan 1919 had just 40 members. At his first meeting in a German cellar (12th September), Hitler won admiration for his arguments against Bavaria being separate from Germany. His talent for public speaking got Hitler a place on the Party’s committee and Hitler left the army. He soon was put in charge of propaganda (1920).

The NSDAP The Party wrote a 25 Point Programme in 1920, it was very anti-Semitic and early on very socialist. In April the Party was renamed the National Socialist German Workers Party or NAZI for short. They bought the Munich Newspaper Volkischer Beobachter to spread Nazi propaganda Support for the party began to grow.

THE SA Hitler became party leader in 1921 and also founded the Sturm Abteilung, the SA (“Stormtroopers / “Brownshirts”.) This was a paramilitary organisation that paraded in full uniform wearing the Swastika. Their aim was to protect Nazi meetings and disrupt those of other opponents. They attracted many unemployed soldiers with the uniform, lifestyle and pay. They also developed a reputation for brutality against opponents in Bavaria. Later the Nazis were banned in every state after the assassination of the Foreign Minister Rathenau - When one morning he was driving from his house to the Wilhelmstraße, as he did daily, his car was passed by another in which three armed young men sat. They simultaneously shot at the minister with machine guns and then quickly drove away. Some opponents blamed Nazi Propaganga. The Nazis were still allowed to hold meetings in Bavaria due to the right-wing state government.

1923 1923 By this time the Nazis had 35,000 members but was still based mainly in Bavaria. They were known for violence and extremist views at the time. Hitler was convinced that the Weimar Republic’s problems would mean support for extremist parties. The Party staged the Munich Beer Hall Putsch but it failed Hitler was imprisoned but the trial earned him publicity and many (including the judge) sympathised with him and supported his views. Although the party was banned as was the newspaper the Munich Beer Hall Putsch had some positives: Hitler would now gain power through legal means, he would outline his plans for the future of Germany in his book Mein Kampf. (My Struggle)

Little Success until 1929 Hitler left prison in 1924 In the December election they won just 14 seats in the Reichstag. Hitler wanted to gain power legally yet Stresmann’s successful policies and political stability meant no favour for extremism. 1925 – ban on Nazi party lifted (Feb he was banned from public speeches). Hitler divided Germany into 34 Districts and a leading Nazi was placed in charge.

Personal bodyguard was started – Schutzstaffel. The SS Personal bodyguard was started – Schutzstaffel. 1926 a party conference was held, 25-point programme re-adopted. Still little support but by the end of 1926 the arty had 50,000 members and held the first rally in Nuremburg. 1928 election – Nazis won just twelve seats and were the eighth largest party.

+ + 1929 Wall Street Crash everything changed and the Nazis could seize power. But it was not inevitable!

The economic crisis meant unemployment and therefore the people turned to more radical answers – Nazis and Communist. Hitler was touring the country making dramatic speeches and appealing to the masses. There were Nuremburg Rallies. The SS and SA carried out extreme attacks of violence on Nazi opponents. No-one wanted to oppose the Nazis.

Political Crisis Hermann Muller (I think) led the government coalition in 1929 of the SDP Replaced by Von Papen who wanted to have more power and change areas of the constitution Resigns as couldn’t agree on how to run Germany Succeeded by Heinrich Bruning of the centre party. Without a majority the Reichstag met less often and Hindenburg used Article 48. He was fed up with Nazis and wanted to disband them, Von Schleicher thought that this would be acceptable.

Von Schleicher appointed Chancellor as he disagreed Von Schleicher appointed Chancellor as he disagreed. He was also the head of the army at the time. In the election the Nazis won 230 seats almost a majority. So Hitler asked for Chancellorship REFUSED As the level of Nazi support ad dropped to 196 Hitler accepted and became Chancellor. Von Papen annoyed with Schleicher wanted a return to power. To do this he would make a coalition with Nazis and be appointed vice-Chancellor with Hitler as chancellor

An election was called in March 1933 to gain more power. SEQUENCE OF EVENTS An election was called in March 1933 to gain more power. Reichstag fire enabled law: Decree for protection of people and the state Communists removed from Reichstag 23 March Enabling Law – Hitler could rule without the Reichstag for three years…seems fair July – Law against the establishment of new parties Totalitarian state Night of the Long Knives 30 June 1934, whipped SA into shape so to speak. Control of party and people Control of army resulted after the army swore an oath to Hitler.

Hitlermany