The Nazis: Hitler’s rise to power

The Early Nazis n Hitler entered as a spy in 1919 when they had 40 members. n By 1921 he was chairman and the membership was up to 3,000. (The party was primarily local to Bavaria)

The Nazi Program 25 Point program adopted in n Exclusion of Jews from the “Volk” - a quote of Hitler’s was “…total removal.” n Aryan superiority n Nationalism n Profit sharing

The “Enemies” n The Versailles Treaty & the “November criminals” who stabbed Germany in the back.(ie. the Weimar Republic) n Marxists n The Jew - who, by the way, was responsible for all of Germany’s domestic problems. (Prostitution, capitalism, Pacifisim, democracy, venereal diseases)

Time to flex those muscles. (Munich ) n Beer Hall Putsch - with old WWI generals and some nationalists the Nazis try to take the Bavarian Government.

Munich n Street march ends in a riot, 16 die and Hitler stands trial in a national spectical. n Sentenced to 5 yrs., he serves 9 mos. - all the time he needs to write the very wordy Mein Kampf.

Back in the saddle again. Hitler consolidates power. n Regains control of the party from Gregor Strosser. n Ban on public speaking lifted in (A Biggggg mistake)

Consolidates power. Decides road to power is through legal elections (as opposed to revolt) and in 1928 the party wins 12 seats in the Reichstag.

The Depression Hits n Nazis appeal to all strata of the German population. n Mass unemployment, social dissolution, fear for economic future makes the Nazi call for a scapegoat sound good. n Press tycoon Alfred Hugenberg gives Hitler extensive national exposure.

The Early 1930’s- Gaining Seats n With Industrialists contributing money, the Nazis get 18.3% of the vote in n In April ‘31 Hitler runs for president coming in 2nd to Hindenburg.

Still Gaining n July ‘32, with 230 seats (37.3%) - The Nazis are the largest single party. n Nov ‘32, 196 seats (a drop), but Hitler is pushed by conservatives to be chancellor.

Spring-time for Hitler. Hindenburg makes Hitler Reich Chancellor Jan 30, ‘33.

Reichstag n Reichstag fire the next month scares the government into giving Hitler temp- orary, unlimited powers. (Enabling Act) This is due to blame being placed on Com- munists for the fire

Hitler Hits His Stride - Germany in the Mid-’30’s n Hitler purges his party of possible competition in 1934, “Night of the Long Knives.” n 1935, the Versailles Treaty is abandoned. - 5x’s the allowed number of men are brought into the military. - Britain agrees to allow Germany to build more ships.

The Productive Years By Ignoring the Treaty -Saves money by not making payments to the Allies. n Re-armament allows people to get back to work. Unemployment drops from 6 million to 1 million in 3 years.