The Fuhrer and Reich Chancellor
Adolf Hitler was born on the 20 April 1889 in a small town called Braunau-am-Inn in Austria.
In 1913, Hitler moved to Munich, and after the First World War broke out in 1914 he enlisted to join the German Army. Hitler was placed in the 16 Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment and served as a runner, taking messages to and from the front line. Hitler was injured twice in the war and whilst he was in hospital recovering from his second injury, an armistice was declared and the war was over.
After the war, Hitler returned to Munich. He continued working for the army as an instruction officer in the information department. His job was to encourage nationalism and anti-communism amongst soldiers and infiltrate small political parties.
It was through this job that Hitler first attended a meeting of the German Worker’s Party on the 12 September 1919. Hitler entered into a discussion with the main speaker at the event, and Drexler, impressed with Hitler’s points and oratory skills, invited him to join the party.
Hitler joined the party and then the committee of the German Worker’s Party. He was unimpressed by its lack of organisation, and set about transforming the group. He became responsible for recruitment and propaganda, and organised larger party meetings and rallies, where he would give speeches. His oratory skills soon became indispensable to the party.
On the 24 February 1920, Hitler changed the party’s name to NSDAP and announced the Nazi Party’s 25-point programme.
Following this announcement, Hitler pushed for an overhaul of the party structure, replacing the democratic committee with a single leader who would have ultimate control. This proposal was rejected. On the 11 July 1920, over a disagreement about merging with another party, Hitler resigned.
Hitler stated he would only return if he was made party chairman, with dictatorial powers. Realising the loss of their main speaker could potentially ruin the party, Drexler and the committee agreed to Hitler’s demands. Hitler became the party chairman.
Rise to complete control
May 1932 • In early 1932, the Nazis were far from being in power but things began to change.
Bruning resigns after losing support, so Hindenburg makes Franz von Papen chancellor
July 1932 •The Nazis get their most votes, 240 seats (38%)
•However, Hindenburg refuses to make Hitler Chancellor as he despises him, calling him a ‘jumped up corporal’
Nov 1932 • Von Papen loses support and quits as Chancellor • The Nazis drop to 196 votes in the election, but are still the largest party.
Dec 1932 •Schleicher is persuaded to become Chancellor, but he has no power or support in the Reichstag•
Von Papen persuades Hindenburg to sack Schliecher who wants to use the army to take power. They foolishly think they can make Hitler Chancellor whilst controlling him.
Jan 1933 •On 30th January 1933, Hitler is appointed Chancellor of Germany •
The Nazis have got into power legally and democratically
Prior to Hitler joining, the Nazi Party held extremely nationalist, racist and antisemitic views. After Hitler had joined the party, he expanded upon and marketed these ideas.
Hitler had a racist world view. He believed that people could be separated into a hierarchy of different races, where some races were superior and others were inferior. Hitler believed the German race to be the superior race, and called the German race ‘Aryan’.
Hitler and the Nazis considered Jews to be an inferior race of people, who set out to weaken other races and take over the world. Hitler believed that Jews were particularly destructive to the German ‘Aryan’ race, and did not have any place in Nazi Germany.
Hitler also wanted to rid Germany of the disabled, homosexuals, Roma and Sinti, and other minorities that did not fit in to his idea of an Aryan race. The Nazis labelled these groups ‘ a-social ’.
Hitler was an extreme nationalist , believing the German ‘Aryan’ race should dominate. His expansionist policies sought Lebensraum for the German people. Hitler wanted to create a generation of young Aryans who were physically fit and totally obedient through programmes such as Hitler Youth. He believed these policies would unite Germany and ensure it was the strongest nation on earth.
Hitler gains complete control of the NSDAP
By the party conference of January 1922, Hitler's control of the NSDAP was complete. He persuaded the members to give up their right to elect their leader. This was the Fuhrerprinzip – where Hitler at the Furher (leader) of the party had complete power and authority over everything. The NSDAP was his party. Hitler’s leadership ensured that Nazi membership grew from about 1,100 in June 1920 to about 55,000 in November 1923
The 25 Points 1920: Nazi Program
Unification of Greater Germany (Austria + Germany)
Land + expansion
Anti-Versailles - abrogation of the Treaty.
Land and territory - lebensraum.
Only a "member of the race" can be a citizen.
Anti-semitism - No Jew can be a member of the race.
Anti-foreigner - only citizens can live in Germany.
No immigration - ref. to Jews fleeing pograms.
Everyone must work.
Abolition of unearned income - "no rent-slavery".
Nationalisation of industry
Divison of profits
Extension of old age welfare.
Land reform
Death to all criminals
German law, not Roman law (anti- French Rev.)
Education to teach "the German Way"
Education of gifted children
Protection of mother and child by outlawing child labour.
Encouraging gymnastics and swimming
Formation a national army.
Duty of the state to provide for its volk.
Duty of individuals to the state
freedom of religion for all religious denominations within the state
formation of a strong central power in the Reich
The Nazis were very organised, they set up Nazi offices all over Germany to recruit more voters and got financial support from wealthy businessmen and industrialists like Krupp and Bosch. They even set up groups like the Hitler Youth to reach the young of Germany.
After taking control of the Nazi Party, Hitler went on to become German chancellor and Ultimate leader and given the powers to become a tyrant. Hitler used these powers to wage a war of European conquest bringing the whole World into World War 2. His Hatred of the Jews and his desire for racial purity started the Holocaust and he was directly responsible for an estimated total of lives lost of 50 million. Hitler committed suicide in his Berlin bunker on the 30th April 1945 after bringing his beloved Germany to its knees. His refusal to surrender to the allied forces in the final stages caused thousands more unnecessary of Deaths.
Born 20th April 1889
Braunau am Inn, Austria-Hungary (present-day Austria)
Died30th April 1945 (aged 56)
Berlin, Nazi Germany
Watch how Hitler came to Power