The rise of Hitler and the Nazi party

writes of how the signing of the Treaty meant the Weimer party was to be forever

associated with the military defeat and international humiliation of Germany; which

led to a significant decrease of loyalty to the government. Shirer describes how Hitler

used the emotional turmoil of the people and the memory of their devastation against

the republic and democracy. The continual disappointment of the people in the

republic would better prepare it for the embracing of Hitler and his single party nation.

Hitler’s recognition of the psychology of people played a significant part in the

formation of the promises and policies of the Nazi Party, and consequently their rise to

power. The people, in shock with the deterioration of their country, needed somebody

upon which to place the blame. As with the ‘stab-in-the-back’ legend- blaming socialist,

pacifist, war profiteers and men who had initiated the armistice (November criminals)-

Hitler provided emotional relief for the people blaming Jews and communist for the

‘betrayal’ and consequent defeat of Germany in the war and for the consequent

suffering of the people; including the turmoil and the Treaty of Versailles. Shirer also

writes of how this method of shifting the blame allowed people to fell good about

themselves; planted the dislike of other races and of communism and encouraged the

growth of unity and nationalist views that Hitler wanted for his fascist reign- Germany

strong as a nation, individualism discouraged. Hitler’s perception, (crucial to the rise of

the Nazi Party), of the wants of the people is clearly displayed by his promises. Hitler

and the Nazi party promised the stability that the Germans longed for, but no real

promises were made. He deflected blame to others, but he did not make specific

promises to enforce economical reform; or to better the social structure, and thus

matched the needs and desires of the German people.

Propaganda was a critical aspect of the rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party; strengthening

their policies and promises, and promoting the image that Hitler had designed for

Germany. Following the themes of Hitler’s policies and promises, the Nazi propaganda

was effective both visually and verbally. Kershaw describes posters and films which

presented Hitler as a messianic figure; come as Germany’s ‘savior’ from the disarray of

its political, economical and social turmoil. Incorporating the country’s need for unity,

Hitler’s propaganda was spread over the country in the form of museums (display of

distinctly Arian human skeleton representing the beauty of mankind and Hitler’s anti-

Semitic views) and flags of the swastika in each city, under which the national anthem

and Wagner music (an icon of Nazism) would be sung. Kershaw also describes how

verbally, Hitler’s speeches were simple, easy to understand; emotive and passionate,

enhanced by his personal magnetism. Hitler’s charisma was a significant reason for the

support of the Nazi party.

“I do not know how to describe the emotions that swept over me as I heard this man.

His words were like a scourge. When he spoke of the disgrace of Germany, I felt ready it

spring on any enemy. I forgot everything but the man, then, glancing around I saw that

his magnetism was holding these thousands as one.

Of course I was ripe for this experience. I was a man of thirty- two, weary of disgust and

disillusionment, a wander seeking a cause, a patriot without a channel for his

patriotism, a yearner after the heroic without a hero. The intense will of the man, the

passion of his sincerity seemed to flow from him into me. I experienced an exaltation

that could be liked only to religious conversion.” (Luedecke, Kurt, I knew Hitler New

York, 1937, p.22)

Another crucial factor to the rise of Hitler and the Nazi party was the army. According

to Evans it was during his time of making reports on small political parties for the army

that Hitler first came to know about the German Workers’ Party, which would become

the Nazi party. In this party Hitler was able to see a channel for his thoughts and

aspirations, and he soon became a prominent member. Evans also writes of the

Freikorps; ex-military, who acted as an army against communism for the Groener- Ebert

Pact; became the body of the S.A (Struabteilung), which acted as the Nazi army and

were generally seen as Nazi hit-men. The S.A played a significant role in the Beer Hall

Putsch, (1923), which acted as Hitler’s first action, with the aim to take the Bavarian

government and trigger national revolution and remove the Berlin government. The

attempt of the government to in place some provisions of the Treaty had endangered

the army, and this led to limited support from Ludendorff (head of the army and much

respected military figure), whose reputation helped to achieve the unity of the Nazi

party in its first revolt. The Putsch did not succeed, but by its failure Hitler realized that

physical force would not work and that a different approach would have to be made.

However, a large amount of success was achieved during his trial in Munich, where

Hitler voice his ideas and promoted the Nazi party before a mass of reporters, earning

support and praise from those present. According to Kershaw it was then that he

stopped being a small scale politician and became publicly known. Hitler served the

minimum time in prison and wrote his book ‘Mein Kamph’, expressing his ideas on

Germany’s future. (This would represent a biblical script during Hitler’s reign.) During

Hitler’s political and single party years, the SA continued to play a large part in the rise

of Hitler and the Nazi party. However they were to be joined by the SS (Schutzstaffel)

who would begin as Hitler’s bodyguard and progress to an elitist army. Shirer writes of

how the SA was to be discarded altogether as the army and Hindenburg became

concerned about the growth and the violence of the ‘brown-shirts’. Hitler recognized

his need for the support of the army and as the army did not want the SA, he deemed

that they would have to be removed. The SA was disbanded and many members killed

by the SS on the Night of Long Knives. Kershaw writes of how, in one move, Hitler

removed the threat of the SA and satisfied the army, thus strengthening and increasing

his powerbase. With the SA removed, the army swore allegiance to Hitler- a sign of a

single party state (swearing to Hitler and not to Germany) and fascism (army + Gov.

relationship).

Finally, the rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party relied on politics and the final

establishment of the single party state. Throughout 1924-1929, the Nazis had little

political success. With the end of President Hindenburg’s (head of the army and

commander of Germany) 7 year turn, new elections were held. Both Hindenburg and

Hitler were running for presidency. Although the Nazi vote had been raised from 2.4%

in 1928 to 37.8% in 1932; Hindenburg was re-elected president. Hitler demanded

chancellorship, but was denied by Hindenburg, who developed a dislike of Hitler and

the Nazi party. Shirer writes of how it was only due to the plan of other politicians; that

they would control Hitler once he was amongst them, that Hindenburg agreed. Hitler

became chancellor in 1933. From then on Hitler was able to enforce his politics and

single party rule. As stated by Kershaw Hitler’s first action was to call for a new election

in March, where via police and SA intimidation against opponents, the Nazi party won

288 seats. In Feb. 1933, the Berlin Reichstag building was burnt down and the Nazi

party exploited this; blaming the communist and requesting the President’s emergency

decree. This decree led to the suspension of civil liberties, i.e. free speech and

assemblies; marking the start of Hitler’s dictatorship. According to Evans many

communist were arrested, which suited Hitler’s fascist ideals. Also in March Hitler

passed the Enabling Act, under the excuse of the economic problems. The Act allowed

Hitler to issue laws regardless of the Reichstag or the President. The Emergency and

the Enabling Act functioned as the basis of Nazi dictatorship and allowed Hitler and the

Nazi party to take over the state. Shirer writes of how trade unions were abolished, all

political parties except Nazism declared illegal ; rapid series of laws insured Nazi control

over civil service, educational system, German states and legal system; SS and SA are

given free hand: opponents arrested and concentration camps (Dachau) was opened.

At the end of 1933, Hitler called for another election, and as the only party left, the

Nazis won all seats. As stated by Kershaw, Hitler would deliberately place unqualified

people into significant roles, ensuring that they would always be reliant on him and

therefore maintain his power, (Himmler (leader of SS) – chicken farmer). At the death

of Hindenburg in August 1934, the office of chancellor and president were combined to

that of Fuhrer (leader- total and absolute obedience of the people as he fulfilled his

mission to end division and weariness and lead German people to destiny – Hitler,

Mein Kamph). 18 months after becoming chancellor, Hitler became the Fuhrer of

Germany.

The political turmoil at the end of World War 1; Hitler’s perceptions and the resulting

policies and promises of the Nazi Party; propaganda and Hitler’s personal magnetism;

Hitler and the army and politics and the establishment of single-party rule were all

significant factors in the rise of Hitler and the Nazi party.