Nazi+Party

The National Socialist German Workers' Party commonly known as The Nazi Party was a Political Party in Germany between 1920-1945. The party would be built on the ideals of racism, and anti-capitalism after the country suffered from the results of World War I. In modern times and in English it's known as the Nazi Party, however most members of the Nazi movement never referred to themselves as Nazi's, but National Socialists. Most anti-Nazis used the term Nazi as an insult to them.

__//**HISTORY**//__ The party was grown from the unfortuanate events of WW1 which left Germany crippled, a joke to the whole world. The Treaty of Versailles, an unfair treaty ruined Germany economically & socially. The last German emperor would be exiled. The new formed German government, The Weimer Republic had failed to meet the expectations of the Middle & Lower classes, slowly making the middle class non-existent. The National Socialist German Workers Party didn't exist at this point as it would formed from many smaller political parties. On 7 March 1918, Anton Drexler a German nationalist, formed a branch of this league in Munich called the Committee of Independent Workmen. Their views were anti-monarchist, anti-Marxist, anti-semetic and they strongly opposed the Treaty of Versailles. They also believed that Germans, ethnic Aryans were the superior race. Drexler also believed International Capatalism was corrupt, a Jewish dominated movement that profited from WW1.
 * The Orgins 1918**

On 5 January 1919, Drexler created a new political party based on the political principles his Committee of Independent Workmen and combined it with a similar group, The Political Worker's Circle. The Party would be called The German Workers' Party (Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, DAP). The DAP believed that through profit-sharing instead of socialization Germany should become a unified "national community" (Volksgemeinschaft) rather than a society seperated by classes. The partys main challenges were to beat the communists in Germany, and would do many things to raise money including selling tobacco called Anti-Semit. The DAP only had fewer than 60 memebers, but nevertheless it would attract the attention of the German authorities. Captain Mayr, would send a young corporal, //**Adolf Hitler**// to spy on the meeting. Hitler went, and even got invlolved in an argument and got Drexler's attention, Drexler thought Hitler had a gift, that he would be useful, whispering to a neighbor "My he's got a gift of the gab. We could use him." Hitler would be invited to join, after some deliberation, he would join being the DAPs 55th member, recieving a the number 555(500 would be added to each party member to make the party look stronger). Memebers included Ernst Röhm of the Army's District Command VII, well-to-do journalist Dietrich Eckart, student at the University of Munich and later deputy of the party Rudolf Hess, //Freikorps// soldier Hans Frank and Alfred Rosenberg(All who would become prominent in the Nazi regime)' Hitler would later claim he was the seventh executive member. Hitler's first speech was held in the Hofbräukeller, where he spoke in front of 111 people as the second speaker of the evening. He would realize that he could really make good speechs, that he could use his words to gain popularity and strength.
 * The Begininning 1919**

By early 1920 Adolf Hitler took over the propeganda work and became a more prominent member in the party. Hitler began to make the party much more public, he organised the party's biggest meeting yet of 2,000 people, on the 24th of February, 1920 in the Staatliches Hofbräuhaus in München. He shared the party's 20 points including: abrogation of the Treaty of Versailles, a Greater Germany, the State to share profits, Eastern Expasion, Exclusion of corrupt Jews, the views were very anti-capatalist and anti-semetic. On the day of Febuary 24th the party would change its name to National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP, or Nazis) to gain support from both Nationalists and Socialists. By the end of 1920, the party had more than 3000 members.
 * Gaining Influence 1920**

Anton Drexler realizes Hitler's talents as an orator, to draw new members and his dominant ruthless figure. Hitler becomes Party Chairman July 28th 1921. During this time a German military coup attempts to overthrow the Weimer Republic, it fails. Hitler sees his party as a revolution, that would one day overthrow the Weimer Republic as it's weak(having no control over its own military) being controlled by criminals & Jews. The SA("Storm troopers, also called Brownshirts)were founded as a party militia in 1921, and began violent attacks on other parties. The SA was very appealing to unemplyed young men, but was technically seperated from the Nazi Party. National and Racial issues were always dominant, the Swastika became a very popular symbol for the Party. Nevertheless the Party grew. In 1922 a similiar party, The National Fascist Party led by Benito Mussolini, would come to power through their coup attemt "March On Rome" which inspired Adolf Hitler. Hitler would "borrow" their salute for their party and plan his own coup.
 * The Party Grows 1921-1922**



In January 1923, France & Belgium occupied the Ruhr industrial region as a result of Germany's failure to meet its reparations payments which led to economic chaos. The Communist Party of Germany(KPD) would attempt at a revolution. Nazi membership would grow to over 20,000 members. Hitler decided that this was the time to take over, hoping the Reichswehr(post German military) would help. Former General Erich Ludendorff would influence Hitler and be a supporter of the Nazi Party.
 * Economic Chaos & More Chaos 1923**

On the night of November 8th, the Nazis had a patriotic rally in a Munich beer hall to attempt a "March On Berlin". The Beer Hall Putsch attempt failed almost at once when the local Reichswehr commanders refused to support it. On the morning November 9th, the Nazis staged a march of 2,000 supporters through Munich in an attempt to rally support. Troops would open fire, 16 Nazis were killed. Hitler, Ludendorff and a number of other high ranking members were arrested, and were tried for treason on March 1924. Ludendorff basically got off with no punishment. Hitler would face the death sentance, but instead get a more leniant sentence.
 * The Beer Hall Putshe 1923**

Supporters would continue to operate as the "German Party", the party would fail to remain unified. The right-wing members would join the new German Völkisch Freedom Party and left-wing members would be left behind, Joseph Goebbels holding support for the party. Hitler would remain in prison till December 24th(getting out early because of good behaviour), he would write Mein Kampf (My Struggle), a disturbing book containing details of Nazism and his plans of gaining Lebensraum (living space).
 * The Nazi Party banned 1924-1925**

Adolf Hitler would be released from prison in December 1924. In the following year he re-founded and reorganized the Nazi Party, with himself as its Leader. The new Nazi Party was no longer a paramilitary organization, and had no intention of taking power by force. The German economy had stabilized, and a revolution wasn't likely to happen any more. The party began to admit women. The SS would be formed in April 1925, to be Hitler's bodyguards. The SS and SA would be kept separate from the Nazi Party and were more of "support groups"(all members had to become party members first). The party's nominal Deputy Leader was Rudolf He ss, however he had no real power. By the early 1930s the senior leaders of the party after Hitler were Himmler, Goebbelsand Goring. The Party would become very organized, and very popular again among most working class citizens. By 1929, the party had 130,000 members.
 * Hitler reorganizes the Party 1925-1929**



**The Depression 1930**

Mass unemployment and business failures would be common. The Great depression would be the reason why the Nazis would get into power as t he SPD and KPD parties were divided and unable to formulate an effective solution, giving the Nazis an advantage. September 1930, Reichstag elections, the Nazi Party would win 18.3% of the votes. Hitler would prove to be an affective campaigner. Many business men such as Fritz Thyssen would become very supportive and donate money to the Nazi Party, however most business men thought the party was to radical and donated money to other conservative parties instead. The party however continued to grow..

**Hitler's rise to power 1931-1933** Germany's political crisis deepens. March 1932 Hitler runs for president, getting roughly 30-40% of the votes. January 30th 1930 President Hindenburg appoints Hitler as Reich Chancellor. Hindenburg thinks he can make Hitler his political puppet. February 27th 1933 the Reichstag would be burned. Hitler would blame his political opponents. President Hindenburg would grant Hitler an emergency-powers decree, giving Hitler the power to make his own laws temporarily. August 2nd 1934 President Hindenburg would die, and because of this, the Nazi party would rise to power Hitler would change the laws to keep himself as leader because of his emergency powers. He would kill off his political opponents and anyone who was not considered useful to Germany. The economy and military strength would improve massively. Eventually the Nazi Party would cause WWII after invading and taking over Poland.
 * Hitler takes power **