TSR Wiki > Study Help > Subjects and Revision > Revision Notes > History > Rise of the Nazis in Germany
The ideological roots of Nazism
Its roots lay in two movements of the last 25 years of the 19th century:
- Anti-Semitism which grew during that period of depression and from the racial theories of the time
- Radical right-wing politics (i.e.: Pan-German League) in favor of authoritarianism.
From its founding to the putsch of 1923
- Founded during the chaotic period immediately after WWI. Bavaria was then under the control of a right wing Gov. which sheltered extremists (including the Nazis)
- Formed Jan. 9th 1919 under the name German Workers Party (DAP), Hitler joined as propaganda chief in Sept.
- Aug. 1921: Hitler became leader and introduced: the notion of the leader / a more centralized system w/ all branches subject to the authority of the original branch in Munich.
- June 1922: the now renamed National Socialist German Workers Party (NSDAP) is banned in all states except Bavaria. The name of NDSAP was used to appeal to every political spectrum.
The Munich or Beer Hall Putsch
- End 1922: Germany defaulted on reparation payments
- Jan. 1923: Invasion of the Ruhr
- Aug. 1923: Streseman became chancellor (& called for passive resistance and began negotiating w/ the French) - Hitler saw this chancellorship as the beg. of a communist takeover; he decided to lead a putsch.
- Hitler decided to convince leading members of the Bavarian Gov. to help him on his "March on Berlin" he seized them, they gave their consent but ultimately withdrew their aid. On Nov. 9th 1923 the Nazis marched on Gov. buildings and were dispersed by gunfire and had their leaders arrested.
- Hitler went for 5 years in prison, but now he was a nationally known figure.
The Creation of a Nationwide Party Organization (1923-1928)
Background to this period
- period of recovery / the Weimar Republic seemed to have survived attempts against it and have gained support
- 1924: the Ruhr was reintegrated into the German economy / the Dawes Plan (rescheduled payments and made loans)
- 1925: Locarno Treaties - Germany accepted the frontiers of 1919
- 1926: Germany joined the League of Nations
- 1928: Kellog-Briand Pact
These favored improved international relationships and recovery. The appeal of extremists (i.e.: declined during this period).
Nazi Party Measures
- Refounding of the Party, Feb. 1925: Hitler refounded the party (which had been banned) to participate in the political processes of the Weimar Republic. Hitler planned to use the democratic process to gain power, and then destroy it.
- Consolidation of the "Fuhrerprinzip": Dispute (over participation in elections / the Party Programme) was ended when Hitler imposed his views, and by 1926 his control of the party had been greatly strengthened.
- Creation of a Party cadre: the country was divided into Party regions w/ a leader for each region.
The Role of the S.A.
Hitler restricted its activities to propaganda and bodyguard duties since he did not wish to antagonize middle class & wealthy supporters.
Nazism Becomes a Mass Movement 1928-33
The insecure foundations of economic prosperity:
- US short term loans were invested on long term projects
- Middle classes being "squeezed" by gains made by: the leading industrialists who were forming into large thrusts / the workers, whose unions had pressured for higher wages, etc
- World wide agricultural depression by late 1927
The effects of the may 1928 election
Gain for left wing parties, decline of the right. The right and center parties concluded that coalition Gov. had weakened them. There was danger that the parliamentary system would break down b/c coalition Gov. would not be possible
The Economic Depression 1929 onwards
- Had to face w/drawal of US short term loans
- The Young Commission and the Great Depression served as foci for right wing attacks against the Versailles settlement.
- March 1930: collapse of Gov. coalition / appointment of Bruning (Catholic Center Pary) He tries to force unpopular budget measures.
- Sep. 1930: Election in which Nazis become the second largest party in the Reichstag.
Propaganda
- Modern techniques (press campaigns, whirlwind campaigns by air, film shows, etc.)
- Forming special propaganda sections for individual interest groups.
- Emphasis on appeal to youth.
- Nationalism as a uniting force.
The Struggle for Power 1930-33
Obstacles
- Reluctance of conservative right wing parties to ally w/ the Nazis. They wanted: Nazi officials only in minor cabinet posts / Nazis to drop many of their demands and restraining their followers.(becoming more "civilized")
- Attitude of Pres. Hindenburg
- Divisions w/in the party. Hitler did not want to alienate the army & the wealthy industrialists. However, opposition w/in the party felt this would betray the revolutionary nature of the party (such feelings were strongest in the S.A.)
The Major developments of this period
- Jan. 1933: Hindenburg appointed Hitler Chancellor b/c:
- Only way to have mass support for a right wing Gov.
- Instability during 1930-33 might turn to the advantage of the left
- He was persuaded the Nazis would become more moderate
- He was persuaded Hitler could be controlled (clear majority of non-Nazis in cabinet)
- Hitler accepted b/c:
- Loss of seat in Nov. 1932 election foreshadowed a decline of the Nazis
- He believed that once in power he could strengthen his position
- He hoped he could organize the next new elections so the Nazis would obtain an overall majority
- He had demanded the Enabling Act to give him special powers to deal w/ the crisis and thought this act would pass.
The Seizure of Power 1933-34
Situation in 1933
- Only three cabinet posts held by Nazis / no Nazi Reichstag majority / Hitler could be dismissed by Hindenburg
- Hitler represented only hope of the Right for mass support / the Right could not simply govern through pressure groups (army, business, etc.) / Hindenburg becoming increasingly senile.
The Election of March 1933
- Nazis received generous donations from industrialists (who feared a left wing revival)
- Goring (then Prussian Minister of the Interior) allowed Nazi violence in the campaign to go on uncontrolled.
- Opponents of the Nazis had a passive attitude.
- The Reichstag Fire: Feb. 27th 1933 The man considered responsible was a communist
The Nazis claimed it was a beg. of a communist takeover / Hindenburg passed the "Decree of the Reich President for the Protection of People and State"
Hitler could: ignore restrictions on police power / take over the power of the German states using this, the Nazis arrested communists and other political opponents.
- Results: Communists were banned, and Nazis in coalition w/ the Nationalists obtained a majority.
The Enabling Law
To obtain 2/3 majority needed to change the constitution the Nazis carried a campaign of intimidation: they depicted opposition as unpatriotic / Nazis in the S.A. seized control of state Gov. / opponents in the SPD and trade unions were arrested / the building where the Reichstag was surrounded by S.A. and SS troops. This law granted Hitler the right to:
- make laws w/out Reichstag approval
- make treaties w/ foreign states w/out Reichstag approval
Hitler now no longer needed the support of political parties.
Creation of a one-party state
- June 1933: SPD banned
- July 1933: Law makes all political formations (except Nazis) illegal
Conflict between Hitler and the S.A.
- The S.A. demanded that Hitler follow socialist measures as laid down in the 1920 Nazi Programme
- The S.A. wanted a greater say in party affairs
- They wished to replace the army w/ a national militia
Hitler feared that they would lose him the support of the non-Nazi right, and the army. The army was then the only group w/ the power to remove him.
The Night of the Long Knives
Night of June 30th/July 1st: arrest of the main S.A. leaders by the S.S. / leaders are shot / Hitler congratulated by Reichstag, Hindenburg, & the army.
Death of Hindenburg
Aug. 2nd 1934: Hindenburg dies / Hitler replaces him w/out election
now referred to as the Fuhrer / new oath of loyalty for soldiers and civil servants (to Hitler)
A Drive to a Totalitarian State, Main Measures of the Nazis: 1934-36
- Professions are "synchronized" w/ Nazi beliefs. (i.e.: teachers / judges)
- Purges of Gov. workers of communist sympathizers, Jews and replacement by party members.
- Nazis tried to restrict the influence of the Church and the application of the 1933 concordat (allowing the Catholic Church to have its own school & property but to keep out of politics) Nazis took more direct control over the Protestant churches' soon swastikas were displayed alongside the Christian Cross.
- Membership of one Nazi youth group was obligatory for all Germans until age 18.
- Toward workers: labor unions abolished, establishment of "Strength Through Joy" movement which provided subsidised holidays, sporting activities, etc.
- Creation of Ministry for Popular Enlightenment and Propaganda - bringing under control the mass media and using them towards Nazi propaganda.
- Rapid expansion of the S.S. (w/ Himmler) In 1934 the S.S. became an independent org. answerable to Hitler and Himmler only. Gestapo was placed under its control. Reg. Criminal police merged w/ the S.S. in 1936.
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