The Rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party: A Historical Overview
The Rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party
Hitler and the Nazis:
- Hitler joined Anton Drexler’s party.
- Named chief of propaganda in the party.
- He took Drexler’s place and changed the name of the party into Nazi. He also created the SA: soldiers, huge, brute, and loyal to Hitler.
Munich Putsch (1923)
The government was concentrated and occupied with the economic crisis. On the 8th of November, the Nazis attempted to take over the government in Bavaria. Police killed Nazis, and Hitler escaped but was then captured and taken to prison for only 5 years, but he only stayed 9 months in Landsberg Castle.
Depression and Nazi Success
- Wall Street Crash (1929) led to a worldwide depression.
- Germany had to return loans.
- Nazis took advantage of the situation; their plans made sense: no unemployment, no Treaty of Versailles (TOV), strong leader.
- Hitler ran for president in 1932, lost but gained a rise in profile: support increased from 2.3% in 1928 to 25% in 1931.
- The support came from negative cohesion: democracy didn’t seem able to solve problems, fear of communism, and moral decline.
Hitler as Chancellor
Von Papen was chancellor and had no support. Hindenburg appointed von Schleicher, who resigned after 1 month. Hindenburg then appointed Hitler as chancellor since he had support; they thought they could control Hitler.
Consolidation of Power
March 1933: Reichstag fire—Hitler blamed communists and asked for emergency powers (Enabling Act), which banned communism.
- June 30: Night of the Long Knives—Hitler got rid of inside opposition (SA); Röhm and other important non-members of SA were killed.
- August 1: Hindenburg dies, and Hitler becomes Führer.
- August 2: Army oath—gave the army what they wanted for loyalty.
Police State
The Gestapo, secret state police, arrested citizens on suspicion and sent them to concentration camps. Heydrich was the leader. The SS (Schutzstaffel) had death heads in concentration camps; they destroyed opposition and carried out racial policies. Nazi crimes were ignored, and Nazi opponents had unfair trials. Concentration camps held political opponents and minorities; they were forced to do hard work, received limited food, and faced random executions.