The Rise of the Nazis (1919 – 1934)

Hitler & the Hitler was born in Austria in 1889. After failing in his attempts to become an artist in Vienna,
Origins of the where he developed his anti-Semitic ideas, he moved to Germany. At the start of the Great
Nazis War he joined the German army and won awards for bravery but was horrified when
1919 – 1922 Germany signed the armistice. He blamed Jews, communists & back stabbing politicians for
Background the defeat & joined the German Worker’s Party in 1919. He designed the swastika flag &
came up with the 25 Points, a list of policies the renamed Nazi Party adopted. By 1922 Hitler
was leader of the Party & his powerful public speaking increased its support.
The Munich With the Weimar Government trying to get to grips with the hyperinflation crisis, Hitler
Beerhall attempted to seize power by force. Hitler, already supported by war hero General
Putsch & Ludendorff, attempted to force the right wing Bavarian Governor, Gustav Von Kahr, to join
Aftermath his revolt. Hitler stormed a beerhall in Munich and intimidated Kahr into joining him. Kahr
Nov 1923 – however managed to alert the authorities to Hitler’s plans & the following day as the Nazis
1924 marched on central Munich they were met by armed police. 16 Nazis & 3 police were killed in
Background the gunfight. Hitler was arrested and put on trial, which he used to spread his political
message. He was sent to prison for 9 months where he wrote his book, Mein Kampf. During
this time he also realised using force would not work; the Nazis would have to gain power by
legitimate means such as winning elections.
The Great Following the Wall Street Crash of 1929, the Great Depression spread to Germany as
Depression American Banks demanded their loans be repaid. German businesses went bankrupt &
1929 - 1932 unemployment hit 6 million. Homelessness increased. The Weimar Government responded
by cutting wages and benefits and increasing taxes. This was unpopular with many & the
coalition government fell apart. Weimar politicians were unable to work together so
President Hindenburg was forced to pass laws using Article 48, undermining German
democracy. Extremist parties looked more able to solve Germany’s problems and became
increasingly popular as a result.
The Nazis & With mass unemployment & Weimar failing to deal with the crisis, Nazi support grew. Hitler
the promised a strong Germany which was an appealing message. Goebbels had Hitler fly around
Depression the country to speak & used radio to spread the Nazis message. Nazi propaganda generated
1929 - 1932 fear amongst the middle & upper class that the communists could take power; these
supporters were wealthy so proved particularly helpful to Nazis because of the financial
support they offered. The Nazis party members were well trained & obedient which led
people to trust them to deal with the crisis. The SA continued to use violence to disrupt or
intimidate the supporters of rival parties. Unpopular policies (like nationalisation of industry)
were dropped & Nazi policies were kept intentionally vague to appeal to the widest possible
audience. Hitler promised workers jobs, businessmen higher profits and farmers extra
financial support.
Hitler No party could form a coalition government in 1932 so Hindenburg & his Chancellor made
becomes laws using Article 48. Although the Nazi Party were the largest (33% in Nov 1932) Hindenburg
Chancellor did not trust Hitler so would not appoint him Chancellor. Neither of the President’s choices,
1933 Von Papen or Schleicher could win the support of the Reichstag for their policies so
Hindenburg finally turned to Hitler. Hindenburg hoped he could use Nazi support to get laws
passed in the Reichstag whilst keeping Hitler under control with Von Papen as his deputy.
Hitler became Chancellor in January 1933 but the attempt to manipulate Hitler failed as he
called another election in the hope of winning a majority (50%+) in the Reichstag.
The Reichstag Just days before the election the Reichstag was set on fire and a communist, Marinus van der
Fire Lubbe, was caught at the scene. Hitler said this was evidence of a communist conspiracy &
Feb 1933 convinced Hindenburg to pass emergency laws suspending freedom of speech, freedom to
assemble & freedom of the press. The police gained the power to detain people without trial
& 4,000 communists were arrested. With Nazis ‘guarding’ election stations they won 44% of
the vote.
The Enabling Hitler wanted the power to make laws without having to consult the Reichstag so had the
Law Enabling Law passed. This required 2/3’s of the Reichstag to approve but Hitler united with
March 1933 the Nationalist Party, banned the Communists, intimidated the Social Democrats & made
promises to protect the Church to the Centre Party. The vote was won by 444 votes to 94.
Elimination of Using the Enabling Law, Hitler banned all other political parties & shut down trade unions.
Opposition Concentration camps such as Dachau were set up to hold opponents. It was now increasingly
difficult to oppose the Nazis because they also had control of the police and judiciary.
The Night of Now that Hitler was in power, his private army, the SA, had become an embarrassment. The
the Long people thought of them as thugs & the brownshirts leader, Ernst Rohm, had designs on
Knives replacing the professional German Army. The army Generals would not tolerate this & Rohm’s
June 1934 ambition was a threat to Hitler. On 30 June he had the SS arrest the SA leadership as well as
other leading opponents such as Kahr and Schleicher and had them shot. Some 200 died &
Hitler told Germany he had prevented a revolt.
The Death of President Hindenburg died in August 1934 & Hitler immediately declared himself President.
Hindenburg The Fuhrer (leader) was now President, Chancellor and Commander of the Army. Every
August 1934 soldier now had to swear an oath of personal loyalty to Hitler. Hitler’s Nazi Dictatorship had
been established.