How Adolf Hitler Became Leader of the Nazi Party

The Great War

30 Jul 202124:10

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn 1921, post-World War I Germany was a volatile landscape with political instability and radical ideologies on the rise. Adolf Hitler, a key figure in the burgeoning Nazi Party, capitalized on the disillusionment following the Treaty of Versailles, using his oratory skills to rally the working class and gain a significant following. The Nazi Party, despite its initial small size, grew rapidly, bolstered by the acquisition of a newspaper and Hitler's charismatic speeches. The internal power struggle culminated in Hitler's consolidation of control, setting the stage for a more radical and violent approach to politics. The formation of the SA, a paramilitary wing of the Nazi Party, signified a shift towards using fear and intimidation as tools for political gain. Simultaneously, other extremist groups like the Organization Consul were plotting terrorist activities, including the assassination of prominent figures, further destabilizing the fragile democratic institutions. This period marked a critical turning point where the radical right, led by figures like Hitler, began to reshape the political future of Germany.

Takeaways

🏛️ The post-war German Republic was politically unstable with numerous uprisings and coup attempts from both right and left-wing groups.
🛑 The failure of the Kapp Putsch in March 1920 dashed the hopes of right-wingers to overthrow the democratic system and reestablish autocratic rule.
📈 Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party (NSDAP) began to grow in influence, focusing on winning over the working class with the concept of Volksgemeinschaft (ethnic national community).
💰 The Nazi Party's acquisition of a newspaper, the Völkischer Beobachter, helped increase membership and visibility.
🎙️ Hitler's public speaking skills and his emphasis on the harshness of the Treaty of Versailles, the threat of international finance, and the deceit of Marxism attracted large audiences.
🤝 Local authorities, including Munich police chief Ann Pernter, showed sympathy with Hitler's views, indicating a growing acceptance of the Nazi Party's agenda.
🚫 Hitler opposed parliamentary compromise and advocated for violent revolution as the path to success for the Nazi Party.
✊ Hitler's radical stance and uncompromising positions, while gaining him followers, also created enemies within the party.
💥 An internal power struggle within the Nazi Party culminated in Hitler leaving and then returning with a list of demands, solidifying his control over the party.
🛡️ The formation of the Sturmabteilung (SA) or 'Storm Detachment' marked the creation of a paramilitary wing of the Nazi Party, aimed at spreading violence and fear.
⚖️ The radical right, including the Nazi Party and the Organization Consul, was on the rise, with acts of political violence and assassination indicating a shift towards more extreme measures.

Q & A

What was the political climate in Germany more than two years after the 1918 Armistice?
-The post-war German Republic was politically unstable, with numerous uprisings and coup attempts from both right and left-wing groups. The failure of the Kapp Putsch in March 1920 had temporarily shattered the hopes of right-wingers to overthrow the democratic system and reestablish autocratic rule.
Who were Adolf Hitler's political mentors during the early 1920s?
-Adolf Hitler's political mentors included Dietrich Eckart, who was instrumental in his rise within the National Socialist German Workers Party (NSDAP).
What was the main lesson that Hitler and Eckart took from the failure of the Kapp Putsch?
-Hitler and Eckart concluded that they could not overcome the united power of the workers, who had stopped the Kapp Putsch with a general strike. This led them to decide to win over the working-class Germans to the Nazi party by using the concept of Volksgemeinschaft (ethnic national community).
How did the acquisition of a newspaper contribute to the growth of the Nazi party?
-The acquisition of the 'Volkischer Beobachter' newspaper helped the Nazi party increase its membership from 200 to 2,000 in 1920, and then to 3,200 in the first half of 1921. The newspaper allowed the party to disseminate its propaganda more widely and attract more followers.
What was the significance of Hitler's speech on February 3rd, 1921?
-Hitler's speech on February 3rd, 1921, was significant as it was attended by 6,500 listeners who gave him a standing ovation. It showcased Hitler's skills as a public speaker and his ability to captivate large audiences, which was a key factor in the Nazi party's growing popularity.
What was the main point of contention between Hitler and other Nazi party members like Drexler during the internal power struggle of July 1921?
-The main point of contention was the strategy for the party's growth and success. While Drexler wanted to advance the cause within the parliamentary system and merge with like-minded groups, Hitler opposed any compromises with other parties and saw violent revolution as the path to success.
What were the conditions that Hitler demanded to rejoin the Nazi party after temporarily quitting during the internal power struggle?
-Hitler demanded to become the first chairman with dictatorial powers, insisted that the party's headquarters remain in Munich, required that the party's name not be changed, and that all talks with other parties cease.
How did the formation of the SA (Sturmabteilung) or 'Storm Detachment' contribute to the Nazi party's strategy?
-The SA was formed as the paramilitary wing of the Nazi party to spread violence and fear, act as an offensive weapon to conquer the streets of Munich, and serve as a standard bearer of the defensive spirit of a free people. It was intended to combine violence with ideology, which Hitler believed was a successful strategy for the party's growth.
What was the Organization Consul, and how did it relate to the Nazi party?
-The Organization Consul was a terrorist group founded by extremist ex-Freikorps members, including Hermann Ehrhardt. It was a radical anti-Marxist, anti-republican, and anti-Semitic organization that planned to continue fighting against the Democratic Republic through assassinations and terrorist activities. While there were ties between the Consul and the Nazi party, with some members joining both, the Consul had its own plans and operations.
Why was the assassination of Matthias Erzberger significant in the context of the radical right's rise in Germany?
-The assassination of Matthias Erzberger, a former Finance Minister and a target of the Organization Consul, was significant because it represented the willingness of radical right-wing groups to use violence and terrorism to eliminate political enemies. Erzberger's death was an ominous sign of the escalating political violence and the growing influence of radical groups in Germany.
How did the rise of the radical right in the early 1920s in Germany set the stage for future events?
-The rise of the radical right, including the growth of the Nazi party under Hitler's leadership and the activities of terrorist organizations like the Organization Consul, set the stage for increased political violence and the eventual undermining of the Weimar Republic. These developments were precursors to the rise of totalitarian regimes and the outbreak of World War II.

Outlines

00:00

🏛 Post-War German Instability and Hitler's Rise

The first paragraph outlines the political turmoil in Germany following the 1918 Armistice, with the Weimar Republic facing numerous uprisings and coup attempts. Adolf Hitler emerges as a key figure in the National Socialist German Workers Party (NSDAP), later known as the Nazi Party. Hitler and his mentor, Dietrich Eckart, learn from the failed Kapp Putsch and strategize to win over the working class. The acquisition of a newspaper, the Völkischer Beobachter, and Hitler's dynamic public speaking skills contribute to the party's growth. Hitler's stance against the Treaty of Versailles and his anti-Semitic rhetoric resonate with the audience, and he becomes the party's main attraction.

05:01

🤝 Hitler's Interactions with Bavarian Authorities and Internal Power Struggles

Paragraph 2 details Hitler's interactions with Bavarian authorities, including a meeting with Prime Minister Gustav Ritter von Kahr and Police Chief Ernst Pöhner. Hitler's uncompromising positions and radical ideas lead to internal party disputes. A power struggle ensues, with Hitler temporarily leaving the party after disagreements over merger talks with other nationalist parties. However, due to his popularity and the support of key party members, Hitler returns with a list of demands, which are accepted, solidifying his position as the party's leader with dictatorial powers.

10:04

🤔 Hitler's Total Control Over the Nazi Party and the Creation of the SA

The third paragraph describes Hitler's consolidation of power within the Nazi Party, promoting his loyal followers and establishing a strict hierarchy. Hitler's popularity allows him to silence critics and even expel senior members like Drexler. The formation of the Sturmabteilung (SA), initially as a sports section, is highlighted as a strategic move to create a paramilitary wing for the party. The SA, under Hitler's vision, is intended to serve as an offensive weapon and a symbol of the party's strength and determination.

15:06

👮‍♂️ The SA's Role in Spreading Fear and the Rise of Far-Right Terrorism

In paragraph 4, the narrative shifts to the SA's evolution into a paramilitary organization that employs violence and fear as political tools. The SA recruits from the ranks of disgruntled middle and lower-middle-class men, many of whom are former soldiers. The paragraph also introduces Organization Consul, a terrorist group with ties to the Nazi Party, which plots to destabilize the German Republic through violence and assassinations. The group's activities, along with the SA's street violence, signal a rise in far-right radicalism in Germany.

20:06

🔪 Assassination of Matthias Erzberger and the Ominous Future of German Democracy

The final paragraph discusses the assassination of Matthias Erzberger, a former Finance Minister and target of the Organization Consul, by two former Navy officers. Erzberger's death is emblematic of the growing radical right movement and the increasing use of violence and terror as political strategies in Germany. The paragraph concludes with a reflection on the challenges of covering sensitive historical topics on platforms like YouTube and an appeal for support for their historical content.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Adolf Hitler

Adolf Hitler was a German politician who led the National Socialist German Workers Party (NSDAP), also known as the Nazi Party. He is a central figure in the video as it discusses his rise to power and influence within the Nazi Party during the early 1920s. Hitler's radical views and uncompromising stance on political matters played a significant role in shaping the direction of the Nazi Party towards violence and anti-democratic actions.

💡Nazi Party

The Nazi Party, or NSDAP, was a far-right political party in Germany that Hitler eventually led. It is a key concept in the video as it details the party's growth and adoption of radical strategies to gain power. The Nazi Party's ideology was rooted in anti-Semitism, nationalism, and totalitarianism, which are discussed in the context of Hitler's speeches and the party's actions.

💡Weimar Republic

The Weimar Republic refers to the democratic government of Germany established after World War I, which is mentioned in the video as being politically unstable with numerous uprisings and coup attempts. The Weimar Republic's struggles set the stage for the rise of radical parties like the Nazis, who sought to overthrow the democratic system.

💡Kapp Putsch

The Kapp Putsch was a failed coup attempt in March 1920 by right-wing groups to overthrow the Weimar Republic and reestablish autocratic rule. It is a significant event in the video as it influenced Hitler's and the Nazi Party's strategies, particularly their realization of the power of the workers' united front against the coup.

💡Volksgemeinschaft

Volksgemeinschaft, meaning 'people's community' in German, was a concept used by the Nazi Party to promote a sense of ethnic national community. It is highlighted in the video as a tool the Nazis used to attract the working class, emphasizing a unified German identity as opposed to the class struggle promoted by Marxist ideologies.

💡Anti-Semitism

Anti-Semitism is the prejudice against, discrimination of, or hostility towards Jews. It is a recurring theme in the video, particularly in the context of Hitler's political ideas and the Nazi Party's propaganda. Hitler's speeches often emphasized what he perceived as the threat of 'International Jewry' to Germany.

💡SA (Sturmabteilung)

The SA, also known as the Storm Detachment or Brownshirts, was the Nazi Party's paramilitary organization. It is a key term in the video as it discusses the formation of the SA as a means to spread violence and fear, acting as the 'battering ram' of the Nazi movement and engaging in street fights and intimidation tactics.

💡Treaty of Versailles

The Treaty of Versailles was the peace treaty that ended World War I, which is mentioned in the video in relation to Hitler's speeches. He often criticized the harsh terms of the treaty, which he claimed were a crime against Germany and contributed to the country's suffering, using this as a rallying point for nationalistic sentiment.

💡Organization Consul

Organization Consul was a terrorist group operating in Bavaria during the same period as the rise of the Nazi Party. It is mentioned in the video as an example of the broader radical right movement in Germany, which also sought to undermine the Weimar Republic through violence and assassinations, including the murder of Matthias Erzberger.

💡Matthias Erzberger

Matthias Erzberger was a German politician and a member of the Catholic Centre Party who is mentioned in the video as an assassination target of the Organization Consul. His death is significant as it represents the extreme violence and political instability of the era, with radical groups targeting those they viewed as enemies of the nationalist cause.

💡Paramilitary

A paramilitary refers to a group that operates like a military force but is not officially recognized as part of a country's armed forces. In the video, the term is used to describe organizations like the SA and the FR Marine Brigade, which were part of the political violence and radical movements in post-World War I Germany.

Highlights

Post-war Germany in 1921 was politically unstable with numerous uprisings and coup attempts from both right and left-wing groups.

The failure of the Kapp Putsch in March 1920 dashed right-wing hopes of overthrowing the democratic system.

Adolf Hitler and his mentor Dietrich Eckart joined the National Socialist German Workers Party (NSDAP) and responded to the Kapp Putsch's failure.

Hitler and Eckart believed they needed to win over the working class to the Nazi party using the concept of Volksgemeinschaft (ethnic national community).

The Nazi party's new strategy was to appeal to manual workers, differentiating them from other non-Marxist parties.

The acquisition of a newspaper, the Völkischer Beobachter, was a significant tool for the Nazi party to grow its membership.

Hitler's speeches, focusing on anti-Semitic ideas and the harshness of the Treaty of Versailles, drew large crowds and increased the party's popularity.

Hitler presented himself not as the leader but as the voice of the future leader of the party during early speaking engagements.

In May 1921, Hitler and the Nazi Party Committee were invited to meet with Bavarian authorities, signaling their growing influence.

An internal power struggle within the Nazi party led to Hitler briefly quitting the party before regaining control with dictatorial powers.

Hitler's demands for total control, including remaining in Munich and halting merger talks with other parties, were accepted by the party.

The formation of the Sturmabteilung (SA) or 'Storm Detachment' marked the creation of the Nazi party's paramilitary wing.

The SA was intended to be an offensive weapon to conquer the streets of Munich and spread fear among the populace.

Organization Consul, a terrorist group, gained members and planned assassinations, including that of former Finance Minister Matthias Erzberger.

The radical right's rise in the early 1920s, including the growth of the Nazi party and the violent actions of groups like Organization Consul, foreshadowed future political instability in Germany.

The Great War 1921 series explores sensitive historical topics and relies on crowdfunding and the Nebula platform for support due to the nature of the content.

Transcripts

Browse More Related Video

Rise & Fall of the Nazis | Episode 1: Nazism is Born | Free Documentary History

Armistice Day: A Symbol Of The End Of World War I | The World History Channel

How did Hitler rise to power? - Alex Gendler and Anthony Hazard

The Hidden Side of World War II: Last Secrets of Nazis

Causes of WORLD WAR II [AP World History] Unit 7 Topic 6 (7.6)

Appeasement: The 10 Steps to World War Two

Related Tags

Nazi Party Adolf Hitler Political Unrest German History Radical Right Post-War Germany Paramilitary Groups Social Unrest Historical Analysis 1920s Germany Nationalist Movement