The Rise to Power of the Nazi’s GCSE

Why did the Nazis come to power in January 1933? Economic Collapse Wall Street Crash 1929 Depression 1930 What impact did this have on the Weimer Republic? Nazi Organisation and tactics Methods of violence and propaganda Hitler’s character Failure of Weimar Republic WWI and Treaty of Versailles Hostility of German elites Limited base of support Fear of Communism

Progress Questions How did the Nazi’s use propaganda to increase their support? How did the Nazi’s use propaganda to increase their support? What were the economic crises of the early 1930’s in Germany? How did the Nazi’s capitalise on these? What were the economic crises of the early 1930’s in Germany? How did the Nazi’s capitalise on these? What were the political crises of the early 1930’s in Germany? How did the Nazi’s capitalise on these? What were the political crises of the early 1930’s in Germany? How did the Nazi’s capitalise on these?

Hitler reviewed his political philosophy. Whilst locked away in prison he dictated a book to one of his most faithful followers, Rudolf Hess. He entitled this book Mein Kampf (My Struggle). In it, he developed two important principles. The Fuhrer Principle – Hitler argued that to be successful, his party needed one all-powerful leader (‘fuhrer’) – in other words, Hitler himself! The Reichstag Principle – Hitler argued that outright rebellion would never destroy the system. Instead, it would be necessary to “hold our noses and enter the Reichstag [parliament]” – in other words, get elected and then destroy the system from within. The Munich Putsch – Mein Kampf

Continued weakness, 1924–28 Despite Hitler’s efforts, the Nazis remained a minor political force. In 1924 they had 5% of the seats in the Reichstag. In 1928 they had less than 2% – even the Communists had four times as many seats! One reason for this was that Stresemann had helped to stabilize the country: 1924: Dawes Plan eases the reparations bill. 1925: Locarno Treaties improve relations with France. 1926: Germany allowed to join the League of Nations.

The Depression spread

Reaction of the Nazis: Fresh propaganda It was during the Depression that the Nazis really started to use propaganda – political advertising – effectively. This was particularly the case in 1932, when Hitler ran for president and came a very close second to Hindenburg. Posters were produced depicting Hitler as ‘Germany’s last hope’. Planes were used to help him travel all over Germany to deliver rousing speeches. Radio was used to help him reach an even wider audience. The mastermind behind this campaign was Josef Goebbels.

Reaction of the Nazis: Mass appeal 1.End unemployment – Hitler promised to provide jobs for the thousands of Germans who had become unemployed as a result of the depression. 2.Tear up Versailles – Hitler said that he would break the hated Treaty of Versailles and make Germany great again. 3.Blame the Jews – Hitler gave the desperate German people someone to blame for the depression and the 1918 defeat. He blamed the Jews. However, propaganda is only effective if it is publicizing popular policies. The Nazis came up with policies that appealed to many ordinary Germans.

Reaction of the Nazis: Fresh policies Hitler also identified several key groups in German society that it was important for him to win over. Hitler, with the help of Goebbels, made sure the Nazi message targeted these key groups of voters. The slogan ‘Work, Freedom, Bread’ was used to convince workers that the Nazis were focused on the needs of the industrial class. People in the Cities People in the Countryside The slogan ‘Blood and Soil’ was used to convince rural voters that the Nazis believed that the German nation sprang from the farming class.

Reaction of the Weimar Republic: Indecision Whilst Hitler responded brilliantly to the crisis created by the Depression, the Weimar Republic did not. Parliament – Proportional Representation (PR): The electoral system meant that Reichstag seats were split between many parties. No party could get a majority, so weak, indecisive coalition governments were formed. President – Article 48: The president had emergency powers, but his advisers discouraged him from raising unemployment benefits, fearing another hyperinflation crisis like the one which had hit Germany in 1923.

Electoral Support Nazi support rose from 2.6% in 1928 to 37.3% in 1932 Nazi support rose from 2.6% in 1928 to 37.3% in 1932 Failure of the Munich Putsch and the time spent in jail by Hitler turned Hitler into a skilful politician and convinced him that Germany wouldn’t fall through force alone and that a national movement would be needed to secure power for the Nazis Failure of the Munich Putsch and the time spent in jail by Hitler turned Hitler into a skilful politician and convinced him that Germany wouldn’t fall through force alone and that a national movement would be needed to secure power for the Nazis Support strong in protestant and rural areas (Romantic idea of a folk community – Volksgemeinschaft) yet struggled in large urban and Catholic areas Support strong in protestant and rural areas (Romantic idea of a folk community – Volksgemeinschaft) yet struggled in large urban and Catholic areas By November 1932, 63% hadn't voted for Hitler but his 37% came from a broad spectrum and a wide variety of backgrounds and left the Nazis as the largest party in the Reichstag By November 1932, 63% hadn't voted for Hitler but his 37% came from a broad spectrum and a wide variety of backgrounds and left the Nazis as the largest party in the Reichstag Interestingly though in the 1932 presidential election, Hitler lost heavily to incumbent Hindenburg Interestingly though in the 1932 presidential election, Hitler lost heavily to incumbent Hindenburg

Vulnerability of Weimar Constitution (Article 48 and PR) Constitution (Article 48 and PR) Political Infighting by the Conservative Elites Political Infighting by the Conservative Elites A perception by the public that Reichstag was one of perpetual infighting and chaos A perception by the public that Reichstag was one of perpetual infighting and chaos Von Papen’s scheming Von Papen’s scheming

How and why was Hitler appointed chancellor?

Progress Questions How did the Nazi’s use propaganda to increase their support? How did the Nazi’s use propaganda to increase their support? What were the economic crises of the early 1930’s in Germany? How did the Nazi’s capitalise on these? What were the economic crises of the early 1930’s in Germany? How did the Nazi’s capitalise on these? What were the political crises of the early 1930’s in Germany? How did the Nazi’s capitalise on these? What were the political crises of the early 1930’s in Germany? How did the Nazi’s capitalise on these?

Questions (p32 – 36) Who was Heinrich Bruning? Who was Heinrich Bruning? What caused his downfall? What caused his downfall? Why was General Kurt von Schleicher an important figure? Why was General Kurt von Schleicher an important figure? Who was Franz von Papen? Who was Franz von Papen? What was the significance of the 1932 elections? What was the significance of the 1932 elections? How might it appear that the Nazi’s had lost momentum by December 1932? How might it appear that the Nazi’s had lost momentum by December 1932? Why did the deteriorating relationship between Schleicher and von Papen help Hitler? Why did the deteriorating relationship between Schleicher and von Papen help Hitler?