“What we must fight for is to safeguard the existence and reproduction of our race and our people, the sustenance of our children and the purity of our blood, the freedom and independence of the fatherland, so that our people may mature for the fulfillment of the mission allotted it by the creator of the universe.” Adolf Hitler
The Rise of the Nazi Party
1918-
World War I ended in 1918 and Germany had been defeated. German propaganda had not prepared the nation for defeat, which resulted in an injured German national pride.
Hitler aroused the belief that Germany had been "stabbed in the back" by its country leaders, Communists, and Jews. He began to spread his belief by giving speeches in beer halls. The Nazi Party started to form.
A new government, the Weimar Republic, tried to establish a democratic course, extreme political parties struggled for control.
1919-
The German population began to accept their defeat. The German Workers' Party had begun, the early formation of the Nazi Party. Adolf Hitler joined this small political party in 1919 and rose to leadership through his emotional and captivating speeches. He encouraged national pride and a racially "pure" Germany.
The small party began to blame and punish the Jews by exploiting Anti-Semitic beliefs that had been in Europe for centuries. He changed the name of the party to the National Socialist German Workers' Party, also known as the Nazi Party.
1921-
By the end of 1920 the Nazi Party had over 3,000 members who supported the Anti-Semitic beliefs.
Hitler became the official leader of the Party, or the Führer.
1923-
Hitler attempted to overthrow the local authorities in Munich and had failed miserably. This is known as the Beer Hall Putsch. Many of the leaders of the Nazi Party, including Hitler, were jailed and charged with treason.
Hitler used the courtroom at his public trial as propaganda. He ranted for hours against the Weimar Republic, and by the end of his 24 day trial Hitler had actually gained some support. He was sentenced to only 5 years in prison, with eligibility for early parole. Hitler was released from prison after only one year.
1925-
While in prison Hitler wrote the first volume of Mein Kampf (My Struggle), which was finally published in 1925. The book explained Hitler's ideas of German nationalism and antisemitism.
After he was released from prison, Hitler continued to lead the Nazi Party. He began rebuilding and organizing the party to his standards, waiting for his opportunity to gain political power. Paul von Hindenburg was elected president in 1925 and Germany was stabilized.
Hitler was recognized as the sole leader of the Nazi Party. He was the only person party members swore loyally to until death. Final decisions were his, and his strategy was to create a party that could compete in Germany's future elections.
There were 27,000 members in 1925, but the party grew to 108,000 members in 1929.
The SA (Storm Troopers or Sturmabteilung), also known as "Brown Shirts" was the part of the party that became known for its strong arm tactics of street brawling and terror.
The SS (Schutztaffelor) was established as an elite group with special duties withing the SA.
1928-
The Nazi Party participated in the Reichstag elections and won only 2.6% of the votes. The party shifted its strategy to rural and small town areas.
1929-
The Great Depression began in 1929 and brought worldwide economic damage. The Weimar democracy proved unable to cope with national despair as unemployment doubled from 3 million to 6 million.
President Hindenburg was advised to invoke the constitution's emergency presidential powers. These powers allowed him to restore law and order in a crisis. He created a new government made up of a chancellor and cabinet ministers.
Heinrich Brüning was the first chancellor. He was unable to unify the government, and in September 1930, there were new elections. The Nazi Party won an important victory, capturing 18.3% of the cote to make it the second largest party in the Reichstag.
World War I ended in 1918 and Germany had been defeated. German propaganda had not prepared the nation for defeat, which resulted in an injured German national pride.
Hitler aroused the belief that Germany had been "stabbed in the back" by its country leaders, Communists, and Jews. He began to spread his belief by giving speeches in beer halls. The Nazi Party started to form.
A new government, the Weimar Republic, tried to establish a democratic course, extreme political parties struggled for control.
1919-
The German population began to accept their defeat. The German Workers' Party had begun, the early formation of the Nazi Party. Adolf Hitler joined this small political party in 1919 and rose to leadership through his emotional and captivating speeches. He encouraged national pride and a racially "pure" Germany.
The small party began to blame and punish the Jews by exploiting Anti-Semitic beliefs that had been in Europe for centuries. He changed the name of the party to the National Socialist German Workers' Party, also known as the Nazi Party.
1921-
By the end of 1920 the Nazi Party had over 3,000 members who supported the Anti-Semitic beliefs.
Hitler became the official leader of the Party, or the Führer.
1923-
Hitler attempted to overthrow the local authorities in Munich and had failed miserably. This is known as the Beer Hall Putsch. Many of the leaders of the Nazi Party, including Hitler, were jailed and charged with treason.
Hitler used the courtroom at his public trial as propaganda. He ranted for hours against the Weimar Republic, and by the end of his 24 day trial Hitler had actually gained some support. He was sentenced to only 5 years in prison, with eligibility for early parole. Hitler was released from prison after only one year.
1925-
While in prison Hitler wrote the first volume of Mein Kampf (My Struggle), which was finally published in 1925. The book explained Hitler's ideas of German nationalism and antisemitism.
After he was released from prison, Hitler continued to lead the Nazi Party. He began rebuilding and organizing the party to his standards, waiting for his opportunity to gain political power. Paul von Hindenburg was elected president in 1925 and Germany was stabilized.
Hitler was recognized as the sole leader of the Nazi Party. He was the only person party members swore loyally to until death. Final decisions were his, and his strategy was to create a party that could compete in Germany's future elections.
There were 27,000 members in 1925, but the party grew to 108,000 members in 1929.
The SA (Storm Troopers or Sturmabteilung), also known as "Brown Shirts" was the part of the party that became known for its strong arm tactics of street brawling and terror.
The SS (Schutztaffelor) was established as an elite group with special duties withing the SA.
1928-
The Nazi Party participated in the Reichstag elections and won only 2.6% of the votes. The party shifted its strategy to rural and small town areas.
1929-
The Great Depression began in 1929 and brought worldwide economic damage. The Weimar democracy proved unable to cope with national despair as unemployment doubled from 3 million to 6 million.
President Hindenburg was advised to invoke the constitution's emergency presidential powers. These powers allowed him to restore law and order in a crisis. He created a new government made up of a chancellor and cabinet ministers.
Heinrich Brüning was the first chancellor. He was unable to unify the government, and in September 1930, there were new elections. The Nazi Party won an important victory, capturing 18.3% of the cote to make it the second largest party in the Reichstag.
1932-
Hindenburg's term as president was ending in the spring of 1932. He was 84 and was reluctant to run again, but he didn't want Hitler to win the power of being president. Hindenburg won a second term, but Hitler recieved 37% of the votes.
Germany's government remained on the brink of collapsing. The SA brownshirts had about 400,00 members and were a part of daily street violence.
In the election of July 1932, the Nazi Party won 37% of the Reichstag seats.
Hindenburg's term as president was ending in the spring of 1932. He was 84 and was reluctant to run again, but he didn't want Hitler to win the power of being president. Hindenburg won a second term, but Hitler recieved 37% of the votes.
Germany's government remained on the brink of collapsing. The SA brownshirts had about 400,00 members and were a part of daily street violence.
In the election of July 1932, the Nazi Party won 37% of the Reichstag seats.