Table of Contents
IGCSE History: Germany – Reorganization of the Nazi Party 1924-8
Reorganization tactics
- 1925: relaunches Nazi Party
- Offices set up in major cities
- Became more than just a local party
- Secretary and treasurer appointed
- Party divided into regions
- Improved finances by befriending wealthy businessmen
- They hated communism, as they would take over businesses
- Hoped Hitler would limit the power of trade unions
- Increased membership
- Despite increased membership, in May 1928 the Nazis only had 12 seats in the Reichstag
- Realized the need to focus on the elections rather membership
Nazi methods to gain support
- Winning over the working class
- Increased anti-Jewish propaganda, which was popular with the working class
- Mein Kampf (published 1925)
- Gained publicity – became best-seller
- Nazi ideology, especially anti-Jewish and anti-Versailles views, gained popularity
- 1928: tried to appeal to farmers
- Blamed communists for the mistreatment of farmers
- Played on their fear of communists, who if in power would take over their property
- Promised to get rid of communists
- Public meetings
- Sensitive propaganda – advertised whatever was popular
- Focused on subjects that people thought important
- Members trained in public speaking
- Communication with public
- The SA and SS
- Extra income helped Hitler strengthen the SA
- Membership grew to 400,000 by 1930
- SA gave the impression of the Nazis having strength and order
- The SS were Hitler’s personal bodyguards who also intimidated and showed order
- Propaganda
- Goebbels: propaganda manager for Nazis
- Easy scapegoats for Germany’s problems: Jews, Communists, and the Weimar Republic for signing the Treaty of Versailles
- 1930s: Hitler’s speeches reported in 120 Nazi newspapers and widely read
- Most up-to-date technology used, including the radio, films, and gramophone records
- Hitler kept in the public eye
- Hitler flew by plane to different cities, allowing him to make speeches in up to 5 cities a day
- Created a clear image of strength for the party:
- Hitler’s passion
- The spectacle of mass Nazi rallies
- The impressive power of the SA and SS
Nazi Progress by 1928:
- The party was well organized
- 100,000 members
- Hitler was now a national figure
- However, there were some disadvantages:
- Hyperinflation had eased, unemployment decreased, and the public were better off
- This meant they were less likely to support extremists
- 1925: Hindenburg, an army general, became President, boosting the reputation of the WR
- Voters still supported the moderate parties
- May 1928: Nazis win only 12 seats
- 9th largest party in the Reichstag
- Polled only 2.6% of votes
