Hitler’s Rise to Power

NAZISM Nationalist German Workers Party ( ) Anti-parliamentary, democratic, capitalistic, communistic Anti-Semitic Extreme Nationalism, Militarism, Racism Use of Violence Charismatic Leader Life, Sun, Power, Strength, Good Luck

Nazi Program 1.A union of all German to form a great Germany on the basis of the right of self determination of peoples. 2.Abolition of the Treaty of Versailles. 3.Land and territory for the surplus of people. 4.German blood as a requirement for German citizenship. No Jew can be a member of the nation. 5. Non-citizens can live in Germany only as foreigners, subject to the law of aliens. 6.Only citizens can vote or hold office. 7.The state ensures that every citizen live decently and earn his livelihood. If it is possible to provide food for the whole population, the aliens must be expelled.

Nazi Program Continued… 8. No further immigration of non-Germans. Any non- German who entered Germany after August 2, 1914, shall leave immediately. 9. A thorough reconstruction of our national system of education. The science of citizenship shall be taught from the beginning. 10. All newspapers must be published in the German language by German citizens and owners. By the end of the 1920 the Nazi Party had about 3,000 members.

How did the Nazi party gain support in this period? Military uniforms demonstrated strength at a time when the government was weak. Use of force against Communists and Trade unionists was popular with businesses. References to traditional values and reminders of ‘Who was to blame’ for the economic crisis builds support. Appeals to Nationalism.

The Nazis did not appeal to: working men who voted Communist intellectuals such as students and university professors They were popular with: nationalists and racists Farmers lower middle-class people such as plumbers and shopkeepers who were worried about the chaos Germany was in rich people worried by the threat from Communism

The SA (Brownshirts) were directed to keep order at party meetings. Later the SA were deployed to break up meetings of other parties (Thugs) Wore military style uniforms and used force to achieve ‘order’. Intended to provide a strong image.

Regrouping Hitler went to prison, where he wrote 'Mein Kampf’. Millions of Germans read it, and Hitler's ideas became very well-known. Hitler decided that he would never come to power by revolution; he realized that he would have to use constitutional means, so he organized: – the Hitler Youth – propaganda campaign – mergers with other right-wing parties – local branches of the party, which tried to get Nazis elected to the Reichstag – the SS as his personal bodyguard, which was set up in 1925 – It was this strategy of gaining power legitimately that eventually brought him to power.

A Change in Fortunes Wall Street Crash leads to end of effective financial assistance from USA. Unemployment rises rapidly- 3 million to 6 million Hyperinflation recurs. Threat of Communism increases. Coalition government fails to address problems successfully.

HITLER’S RISE TO POWER THE GREAT DEPRESSION (1929) 40% unemployment Industrial Production fell by ½ Hitler – simple answers – complex problems “national rebirth” “crimes” of the Treaty of Versailles

Nazi’s Move Into Government (1) Nazi’s use force to prevent uprisings. Rhetoric plays on peoples fears. Emphasis placed on military power wins support of many soldiers and traditionalists. Weak coalition government enables Nazi’s to gain political strength. Propaganda and shows of might impress the masses.

FACTORS = RISE OF NAZISM WEAKNESSES OF THE WEIMAR REPUBLIC – weak president, many political parties LACK OF DEMOCRATIC TRADITION – history of autocracy, Democracy = economic failure, Nazi promises of economic stability, nationalistic glory LEADERSHIP OF HITLER – orator, mass politics, propaganda, violence, suppressed opposition, organizational ability

HITLER’S RISE TO POWER ELECTION 1932 President – Paul von Hindenburg 19,360,000 Hitler – 13,400,000 Reichstag – Nazi Party 230 seats, 38%

HITLER’S RISE TO POWER HINDENBURG NAMES HITLER CHANCELLOR Jan Feb REICHSTAG FIRE ARTICLE 48 – suspension of civil liberties in time of national crisis March THE ENABLING ACT – ruled by decree

HITLER’S RISE TO POWER THE NIGHT OF THE LONG KNIVES June 1934 Purge of the SA (Strumabteiling) “storm trooper” Leader Ernst Rohm Purge carried out by the SS (Schutzstaffel) and the Gestopo (Secret Police)

HITLER RISE TO POWER August 1934 Hindenburg dies (age 87) Office of President and Chancellor combined Der Fuhrer – “leader” Third Reich – “empire”, “nation” “One people, one Reich, one leader”

HITLER’S GOVERNMENT The Third Reich ( ) Gestapo – Secret Police Heinrich Himmler Propaganda – Joseph Goebbels BIG LIE TECHNIQUE “Nuremburg laws” Public Works, Economy – Full employment TOTAL WAR

HITLER BECAME CHANCELLOR THE REICHSTAG FIRE THE ENABLING ACT THE NIGHT OF THE LONG KNIVES DEATH OF PRESIDENT HINDENBURG OATH OF LOYALTY TO HITLER

Key Quote “Terror is the best political weapon for nothing drives people harder than a fear of sudden death.”

How did the Terror State Work? Gestapo Spies inform on you You are woken up by the Gestapo at 1 am in the morning and told that you have 5 minutes to pack your bags. You are arrested and thrown into a cell at the police station Fear Days or maybe weeks later you are interviewed and asked to sign form D11 When you are released you tell everybody what has happened to you You are imprisoned for up to six months doing hard physical labour. You are handed over to the SS who run the concentration camps. By signing this form you are giving your consent to be put into a concentration camp.