Reorganising the Nazi Party: the "Lean Years" (1924-28)
The big question: why did Hitler become Chancellor in January 1933?
There are four main reasons, covered over the next lessons:
- The reorganisation of the Nazi Party
- Propaganda
- The Wall Street Crash and the Great Depression
- Weimar government weaknesses and political intrigue
The Chancellor was chosen by the President, and was usually from the party with the most votes. They needed the support of at least half the MPs to pass new laws.
A change of approach
Hitler had tried to take power by force in the 1923 Munich Putsch. He was imprisoned (sentenced to 5 years, served 9 months) and the Nazi Party was banned. After he left prison, he decided to take power by winning elections rather than through violence.
The ban on the Nazi Party ended in 1925, and the party tried to become more electable (able to win votes).
How did Hitler reorganise the party?
- Took full control of the party as its Führer
- Set up local Nazi branches across Germany, not just in Bavaria
- Set up the SS (1925) as his personal bodyguard, and the Hitler Youth (1926) to attract young people
- Put Joseph Goebbels in charge of propaganda
- Tried to appeal to as many groups as possible to maximise votes
Who did the Nazis try to appeal to?
| Women / housewives | Many wanted a focus on family life, discipline and morals for their children. |
|---|---|
| The middle classes (small business owners, doctors, managers) |
Wanted economic and political stability and a strong government. |
| Farmers | Were struggling and wanted their industry protected. Worried that if the communists took over, their land would be seized. |
| Upper classes and rich factory owners | Missed the strong leadership of the Kaiser and the days when Germany was feared and respected. Wanted to keep making lots of money, and feared communism. |
| Factory workers | Wanted jobs and better wages. |
Why are 1924-28 called the "Lean Years"?
Even though Hitler made the party seem more legitimate, the Nazis only won 12 seats (2.6% of the vote) in the 1928 election. While Stresemann’s "Golden Years" kept the economy stable, few people wanted an extreme party.
Exam focus: interpretations
Interpretations are the views people have of people and events. People have different interpretations based on their background, beliefs and experiences. Ask yourself three questions, which match the three exam questions:
| WHAT is their interpretation? | Do they think it is good or bad? What is their main focus? What have they said that shows this? | How does Interpretation A differ from Interpretation B about...? [4 marks] |
|---|---|---|
| WHY do they have this interpretation? | What do you know about this person’s background or beliefs that explains their view? Who made it, when and why? | Why might Interpretation A differ from Interpretation B about...? [4 marks] |
| How CONVINCING is it? | Is what they say true? Use your own knowledge to support or challenge it. | Which interpretation do you find more convincing about...? [8 marks] |
Example: Stresemann’s impact. An American journalist said American loans made Germany prosperous: industrial production recovered, unemployment fell below a million, and life seemed freer and more modern. A Nazi economics minister said the loans were dangerous and short-sighted, as they were spent on luxuries and businesses couldn’t repay them, which later caused unemployment. They differ because the American was writing positively about American loans, while a Nazi would want to make the Weimar Republic look like a failure.
For the 8-mark "convincing" question, write a paragraph on each interpretation (what it suggests, where you can see this, and how your own knowledge supports or challenges it), then give an overall judgement.