Hitler & The Growth of the Party

The Growth of the Nazis

In the economic crisis, the Germans turned to extremist parties to solve unemployment. The Communists gained support from the working class. The Nazis also gained support because they appealed to a wide group of the population.

The Nazis in the 1920s

In participating in legal elections, Hitler said that the Nazi Party would have to ‘hold their noses’. This shows how much he despised the democratic system he was forced to be part of.
- But the Nazis only had 32 seats in the Reichstag in 1924 and this dropped to 12 seats in 1928.
Despite this, membership for the Nazis increased from 27,000 in 1925 to 130,000 in 1929.

Extremism

In the economic crisis, the German people turned to extremist parties to quickly solve unemployment.
- The Communists gained increasing support from the working class.
- The Nazis also gained support because they appealed to a wider group of the German population.

Nazi reorganisation

Hitler wanted to reorganise the Nazi party to maximise support.
Hitler made himself the centre of the Nazi party.
- This meant that the appeal of the Nazis largely rested on him as a charismatic (able to influence people) leader.
The Nazis could stage (put on) a good, well-funded campaign because they were funded by millionaires, such as Krupp and Hugenberg.
- All of Hugenberg’s 53 newspapers spread the Nazi message.

Nazi objectives

The Nazis had four clear objectives. They emphasised different points to different people at different times. These were to:
- Overturn the Treaty of Versailles.
- Destroy Communism.
- Eradicate (get rid of) the Jews.
- Achieve Lebensraum (to expand German territory in the East to house the population).

Hitler's personality

The Nazi’s gained support because of Hitler’s personality.
Hitler was a strong leader and mesmerising public speaker who travelled the country to give speeches.
The population seemed to want strength in a time of crisis.
Hitler painted himself as ‘one of the people’. Because he was a soldier who fought in the First World War, he gave the impression he understood German troubles.

Nazi Tactics

The Nazis gained popularity because of Hitler's strength, their funding, and other tactics they employed.

Intimidation

Hitler expanded the Nazi Party onto a national level.
- Each region of Germany would be run by a gauleiter (local Nazi official) who reported to Hitler.
The Nazis also grew because of intimidation tactics (using subtle threats).
Hitler grew the SA so they could intimidate opponents and make the Nazis appear strong.
The Sturmabteilung (SA) was the party militia, which fought and eliminated (got rid of) political opponents but the SA was difficult to control.

Propaganda

Propaganda (information designed to influence people) helped spread the Nazi message, emphasising three things.
- Firstly, the Hitler Cult. Hitler was presented as Germany’s saviour.
- Secondly, volksgemeinschaft (people’s community). The Nazis wanted to restore Germany back to traditional values and focus on an Aryan (Indo-European) community.
- Thirdly, anti-Semitism (anti-Jews). They blamed the Jews for the Great Depression in Germany.

Hitler's flexible message - for workers

Hitler was so successful because his message was flexible. He could tailor what he said to his audience.
- For businessmen, the Nazis would solve the Great Depression.
- For the workers, the Nazis would give employment and food.
- For farmers, the Nazis would protect them from Communists who could seize land.

1Dictatorship

1.1Hitler & The Nazi Party in 1933

1.1.1The Origins of the Nazi Party

1.1.2Hitler & The Growth of the Party

1.1.3The 1932 Election

1.2Establishing Dictatorship, 1933-1934

1.2.1Establishing Dictatorship

1.2.2Achieving Total Power, July 1933 - August 1934

1.2.3End of Topic Test - Dictatorship

1.2.4Grade 9 - Dictatorship

2Control & Opposition

2.1The Machinery of Terror

2.1.1Police State & Legal System

2.1.2The Gestapo & SS

2.1.3Concentration Camps

2.1.4End of Topic Test - Control & Opposition

2.2Nazi Propaganda

2.2.1The Effectiveness of Nazi Propaganda

2.3Opposition to Nazi Rule

2.3.1The Left

2.3.2Church Leaders

2.3.3Youth Groups

2.3.4Support for Nazi Rule

2.3.5End of Topic Test - Propaganda & Opposition

2.3.6Grade 9 - Propaganda & Opposition

3Changing Lives, 1933-1939

3.1Work & Home

3.1.1Work

3.1.2Home

3.2The Lives of Young People

3.2.1Education

3.2.2Youth Movements

3.3Nazi Racial Policy

3.3.1Racial Policy

3.3.2Persecution of the Jews

3.3.3End of Topic Test 0 Changing Lives

3.3.4Grade 9 - Changing Lives

4Germany in War

4.1The Impact of War

4.1.1Impact of the War Economy on the People

4.1.2Impact of Total War on the People

4.2Growing Opposition from the German People

4.2.1Opposition from the People

4.2.2Opposition from the Army

4.2.3End of Topic Test - Germany in War

4.2.4Grade 9 - Germany in War

5Occupation

5.1Nazi Rule in Eastern and Western Europe

5.1.1The Start of World War 2

5.1.2Western Europe

5.1.3Eastern Europe

5.1.4End of Topic Test - Occupation

5.2The Final Solution

5.2.1Ghettos & Executions

5.2.2Death Camps

5.2.3End of Topic Test - The Final Solution

5.3Responses to Nazi Rule

5.3.1Collaboration

5.3.2Accommodation

5.3.3Resistance

5.3.4End of Topic Test - Responses to Nazi Rule

5.3.5Grade 9 - Occupation

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