1. The Rise of the Nazis
Setback and Success

2. OVERVIEW In these lessons, you will examine: Origins of the Nazi party
Aspects of Hitler’s ideology
Effects of the Munich Putsch
Factors towards electoral success
Hitler’s immediate consolidation of power

3. Origins
Originally formed in 1919 as the “German Workers’ Party” – right-wing, populist, nationalist
Became the NSDAP – “National Socialist German Workers’ Party” under Adolf Hitler’s leadership
Recruited ex-soldiers, Freikorps members and lower middle class men
Expanded with an armed guard: SA – “Stürmabteilung” (“Stormtroopers”), a.k.a. “Brownshirts”
Background: “What do we want? … Citizens! Do not believe that the Germany of misfortune and misery, the nation of corruption and usury, the land of Jewish corruption, can be saved by parties that claim to stand on a foundation of facts. Never!"

4. Early Nazi Beliefs Abolition of the Treaty of Versailles
Marginalization of communists and Jews
Racial protection and purification through anti-immigration
To combine individual interests with state interests
To create a strong military
Question: Who would find these beliefs attractive and why?

5. Factors for revolt
During the 1923 inflationary crisis, Hitler and the Nazis saw an opportunity for armed overthrow:
Had created a coalition with other right-wing nationalist parties
Had the support of Great War hero, General Ludendorff as well as other elements in the military
Had the support of the Bavarian state government and General State Commissioner, Gustav von Kahr
Background: Hitler with the SA in the late 1920s

6. Setback
From Nov 8-9, 1923, Hitler attempted an armed takeover of the Bavarian government known as the Munich “Beer Hall” Putsch:
Bavarian state officials and the army withdrew their support
Police opened fire on the Nazis as they marched through the city
Hitler was arrested and charged for treason; a sympathetic judge sentenced him to 5 years in jail
Hitler wrote Mein Kampf (“My Struggle”) while in prison and was released in less than nine months

7. Re-organization
Under Stresemann, Germany regained international status and recovered economically; support for the Nazis faded but Hitler enacted lessons learned from the Beer Hall Putsch:
To gain power by working within the current political framework rather than through armed force
To moderate the party propaganda
To regulate party membership along the “Führerprinzip” (“leader principle”) – total allegiance to the leader
Question: Why did Hitler make these decisions towards re-organization?

8. New directions
Towards Hitler’s primary goal of taking power, the Nazis…
Sought out other nationalist parties for support
Promised to protect the interests of industrialists for their monetary support
Spent huge sums campaigning in the elections
Continued expansion of the SA and other Nazi organizations

9. The turning point
The withdrawal of American loans signaled the coming of the Great Depression. Successive chancellors did not have enough support to govern:
Heinrich Brüning attempted to rule by decree but lost power in elections
Franz von Papen allowed the Nazis more freedom in the hopes of sharing power with them
Kurt von Schleicher resigned shortly after becoming Chancellor in 1932 because he could not rule by decree
Hindenburg called on Hitler to become Chancellor and to form a government in Jan 1933
By the end of 1932, the Nazis had gained more than 30% of the popular vote.

10. Hitler triumphant
Upon taking office, Hitler attempted to consolidate his support:
The Nazis held another election in Mar 1933 but gained only 44% of the vote
The Nazis set fire to the Reichstag buildings blamed the communists – the communists were attacked, arrested and then banned

11. The end of Weimar
On March 24, 1933, the Nazi-dominated Reichstag passed the Enabling Act, which allowed the chancellor and cabinet to issues laws with parliamentary approval.
The Socialist party was then banned.
Hitler combined the offices of president and chancellor after Hindenburg died in 1934.

12. Summary Questions
In what ways could the Nazi party be described as fascist?
Why did Hitler and the Nazis attempt an armed overthrow of the Weimar government?
What did Hitler learn after the Munich Putsch and how did he put it into action?
Who was involved in Hitler’s rise to power and why did they allow it to happen?
How did Hitler consolidate his power upon becoming chancellor?