The Rise of National Socialism

The Rise of National Socialism

A brief primer on how Hitler and the Nazis went from regional obscurity to national governance

Party Beginnings

Hitler works for an anti-communist militia (Freikorps) after returning from WWI. 
He begins spying on the small German Workers Party in Munich, Bavaria. 
He takes an interest in their platform and joins shortly thereafter.

Party Ascendancy

• Hitler becomes chief orator for the DAP

• Hitler then changes party name to National Socialist German Workers Party

• Hitlers ousts the DAP leader and declares himself Führer

• Failed coup attempt in a Munich beer hall leads to Hitler's arrest for treason

• Hitler is allowed to grandstand his politics during the trial; newspapers report on his remarks, making him a household name

• Hitler's sentence is commuted to a mere seven months

Multiple Choice

Why do you think Hitler was permitted to declare his political views during his trial?

• most Germans were in agreement with Hitler

• nobody believed that Hitler actually committed treason

• Hitler was a great orator

• the presiding judge sympathized with Hitler's views

Mein Kampf - 1925

• initially only sold about 5,000 copies

• Hitler cast himself as the destined savior of Germany

• outlined his political belief in a police state

• retold recent history of Germany, blaming Jews for ​Versailles

• described in detail his racial policy

• introduced his desire for Lebensraum for the German people

Hitler Returns to the Party, Then Leaves

Hitler is released from Landsberg Prison after serving only seven months. He immediately resumes his leadership role in the NSDAP, but is met with internal opposition. Hitler then retreats to his villa in the Bavarian Alps, swearing off politics for the time being.

Hitler Regains Control

• upon the failed presidential bid of NSDAP candidate General Erich Ludendorff in 1925, Hitler returns to the party

• taking absolute control of the party's leadership and messaging, he commits himself to winning elections rather than revolution

• the NSDAP slowly gains seats in the German parliament

• Hitler runs an unsuccessful presidential campaign in 1932, but manages to garner 37% of the vote

The Nazis Find a Loophole

• the Weimar Constitution contained language that forced parliament to dissolve and hold new elections anytime some of its members left a session

• the Nazis force election after election and increase their seats in parliament

• by late 1932 the Nazis hold 43% of the parliament's seats, making them the single largest party

• this creates a crisis for President von Hindenburg's conservative government

Open Ended

How do you think Hitler was able to take control of the entire German government once his party held the most seats in the Reichstag?