Why was Hitler able to dominate Germany by 1934?

Why was Hitler able to dominate Germany by 1934?

1. What did the Nazi Party stand for in the 1920s?

   • Adolf Hitler joined the German Workers Party in 1919
     • Hitler was put in charge of propaganda
     • The German Workers party became known as the National Socialist German Workers' Party (Nazi Party for short)
     • Hitler played a major part in writing the 25 point programme
     • Adolf Hitler became leader of the Nazi party in 1921 and took the title Fuhrer
   • Nazi Ideas and Methods
     • Lebensraum: The need for 'living space' for the German nation to expand
     • A strong Germany: Abolish the Treaty of Versailles and have all German speaking people in one country
     • The idea that there should be a single leader with complete power rather than a democracy
     • Autarky: The idea that Germany should be economically self- sufficient
     • Social Darwinism: The idea that the Ayran race was superior and Jews were 'subhuman' and to blame for all the problems in Germany
     • Germany was in danger from communists and Jews etc.
   • In an attempt to overthrow the Bavarian government, Adolf Hitler attempted the Munich Putsch. He marched into a Munich Beer Hall where they tried to break up a meeting between Bavarian state officials

2. Why did the Nazis have little success before 1930?

   • Munich Putsch
     • Hitler was arrested and imprisoned
   • Lost popularity because Gustav Stresemann took over as chancellor
     • People did not support extremist party because Stresemann was solving economic problem

3. Why was Hitler able to become Chancellor by 1933?

   • The Great Depression
     • Gustav Stresemann's death in 1929, caused the Great Depression to destroy the German economy and trade
       • Because of this many people were able to listen to the promise of such an extreme party such as the Nazis
   • Adolf Hitler became Chancellor in 933
   • Fear of Communism
     • The Nazi Party were anti-communist
   • Propaganda
     • Josef Goebbels used every method of propaganda to get the Nazis message across

4. How did Hitler consolidate his power in 1933-34?

   • Reichstag Fire 1933: Gave him opportunity to imprison communist leaders
   • General Election 1933: Gave them enough seats
   • Enabling Act 1933: Gave Hitler power to make all his laws
   • The Night of the long knives 1933: Destroyed opposition and showed that Hitler was brutal
   • The Death of Hindenburg 1934: Allowed Hitler to become the dictator of Germany