The rise of the Nazi Party

1
The rise of the Nazi Party

• Aim To revise key details and explain how they
  led to the rise of the Nazi party

A revision presentation from http//www.mrallsophi
story.com/
2
Overview

• The Nazi Party was formed in 1919
• Hitler joined the party shortly after its
  inception
• Germany was in a state of disarray after the
  First World War
• There were many extremist groups in Germany at
  the time

3
1919-1923

• Many Germans felt that they had been Stabbed in
  the back by the Weimar politicians by signing
  the Treaty of Versailles. Many of them joined
  Right Wing groups such as the Freikorps or the
  Nazi party.
• People feared a Communist revolution in Germany.
  They looked to Right Wing groups to act against
  this.
• Right Wing groups gained popularity by saying
  that they would not adhere to the Treaty of
  Versailles.

4
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
• Populist policies and rhetoric were employed to
  discredit opponents and develop support.
• References to traditional values and reminders of
  Who was to blame for the economic crisis built
  support.

5
1923 Munich/Beer Hall Putsch

• By 1923 the Nazi party had gained much support in
  Bavaria. Now firmly under the control of Adolf
  Hitler the group attempted to seize control
  force.
• Despite having many sympathisers the coup failed
  and Hitler was imprisoned.
• The failure of the Munich Putsch demonstrates
  that power needs to be taken through legal means.

6
Regrouping

• Whilst in prison Hitler analysed, developed and
  refined the partys strategy
• Shift to winning electoral support
• Development of propaganda tools
• Attempts to win support of big business

7
1924-1929

• Focus on traditional values
• Built fear of Left Wing groups
• Continued use of military imagery
• BUT the success of Stressemanns policies meant
  little support for extremists

8
1929-1932 A Change in Fortunes

• Wall Street Crash leads to end of effective
  financial assistance from USA
• Unemployment rises rapidly
• Hyperinflation recurs
• Threat of Communism increases
• Coalition government fails to address problems
  successfully

9
Into government

• Nazis used force to prevent uprisings
• Rhetoric played on peoples fears
• Big Business won over through radical economic
  plans
• Emphasis placed on military power won support of
  many soldiers and traditionalists
• Weak coalition governments enabled Nazis to gain
  political strength
• Propaganda and shows of might impressed the masses

10
Into government

• Electoral support rose significantly from 1930
  onwards to make the Nazis the largest single
  party in the Reichstag
• Continuing economic crisis led to break down of
  coalitions
• Aging and ineffective president Hindenburg
  increasingly reliant upon Article 48 (rule
  without needing to consult the Reichstag)
• Germany in desperate need of a strong leader

11
Into government

• Invited to become Chancellor by politicians who
  believed that Hitler could be manipulated
• The February 1933 Reichstag Fire was used to
  scapegoat Communists as enemies of Germany
• In the March 1933 election the Nazis had a
  majority in the Reichstag
• By 1933 the Nazi Partys rise to power was
  complete

12
Hitlers Rise to PowerClick video to view.
13
Rise to power an overview

• Strong leadership
• Determination
• Popular Rhetoric and Hitlers capabilities as a
  public speaker
• Weakness of Coalition government
• Wall Street Crash and the consequent economic
  collapse
• Support of significant businessmen
• Disruption of extremist opponents
• Fear of Communism

14
Practice question

• Explain how the following together contributed to
  the rise of the Nazi Party up to 1933
• The economic depression from 1929
• The Nazi Partys use of propaganda
• The weaknesses of the Weimar Republic
• 10