The German workers party

On 5th January 1919, Anton Drexler together with Gottfried Feder and Dietrich Eckart founded the Deutsche Arbeiterpartei DAP (German Workers’ Party). Drexler wanted to form a party that supported the German workforce.

From its earliest beginnings the party tended towards right wing politics. It was Nationalist, racist, anti-Semetic, anti-capitalist, anti-communist and determined to see a return to pre-war Germany.

Hitler is invited to join the party in 1919 after Drexler hears him debating at a DAP meeting

Hitler becomes Drexler’s right-hand man and in 1920 together they announced the parties 25 Point Programme (see Hitler’s page).

Hitler's personal appeal and ability as an energetic and passionate speaker along with hatred of the Weimar Republic meant membership grew to 3000 by 1920.

Hitler suggests the DAP change its name to the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (NSDAP or Nazis for short). He also chose the Swastika as their symbol.

Anton Drexler