The Changing Fortunes of the Nazi Party 1924-33

Question 1

Question 1
When & why was the Bamberg Conference called?

Answer 1

February 1926, because Gregor Strasser challenged Hitler by publishing a new party programme.

Question 2

Question 2
How did Hitler respond to Strasser’s new programme?

Answer 2

Hitler rejected it and reaffirmed loyalty to the original 25-point programme from 1921.

Question 3

Question 3
How did Hitler secure Josef Goebbels’ loyalty at the Bamberg Conference?

Answer 3

By promising him control over Nazi propaganda and making him Gauleiter of Berlin.

Question 4

Question 4
What tactic did Hitler use against Gregor Strasser during the conference?

Answer 4

He revealed Goebbels’ defection to his side, isolating Strasser & forcing him to accept Hitler’s leadership.

Question 5

Question 5
What title did Hitler adopt after the Bamberg Conference?

Answer 5

Führer - Leader - of the Nazi Party.

Question 6

Question 6
What was the long-term impact of the Bamberg Conference on Hitler’s position within the Nazi Party?

Answer 6

Hitler became the undisputed leader, & no one seriously challenged his authority again.

Question 7

Question 7
What part of the NSDAP did Gregor Strasser lead?

Answer 7

The Northern - Berlin - faction.

Question 8

Question 8
How did Strasser believe the Nazis should acquire power?

Answer 8

By democratic means.

Question 9

Question 9
What did Strasser want to emphasize more within the Nazi Party?

Answer 9

A more traditional Socialist aspect.

Question 10

Question 10
How was Nazi Socialism different from true Marxist Socialism?

Answer 10

It was the Nazi Party’s own interpretation, not true Marxist socialism.

Question 11

Question 11
Why was Gregor Strasser seen as a threat to Hitler’s leadership?

Answer 11

He had a large following & was seen as less extreme & more reasonable than Hitler.

Question 12

Question 12
What was Josef Goebbels’ relationship to Gregor Strasser before the Bamberg Conference?

Answer 12

Goebbels was Strasser’s chief lieutenant & fully supported his ideas.

Question 13

Question 13
How did the Nazis initially win people over before Hitler became the central figure?

Answer 13

Through personal contact with local Nazi members rather than Hitler himself.

Question 14

Question 14
What propaganda strategies did the Nazis use at the local level?

Answer 14

Targeted key community figures - E.g. butchers, teachers - & used door-to-door campaigning & simple posters.

Question 15

Question 15
What were Nazi rallies like?

Answer 15

They used modern technology - speakers, projectors, planes - & became grand events with music - like Beethoven - lighting & displays.

Question 16

Question 16
How many people graduated from the Nazi speaking school by 1933?

Answer 16

Over 6,000 speakers.

The speaking school also, ensured speakers of the highest quality for the party.

Question 17

Question 17
What was the role of Gauleiters?

Answer 17

Regional Nazi leaders appointed by Hitler who built the party locally, ran youth and women’s groups, & organized community support efforts.

Question 18

Question 18
What is the Führerprinzip?

Answer 18

The principle that gave Hitler supreme authority over the party, making it an extension of his will.

Question 19

Question 19
What were some symbols & features introduced under the Führerprinzip?

Answer 19

Brown shirts - SA uniforms - the outstretched-arm salute, and the Nazi swastika - designed by Hitler.

Question 20

Question 20
Why was Hitler an attractive leader for many Germans?

Answer 20

He provided charismatic leadership, a clear direction, & a sense of purpose missing from other political parties.

Question 21

Question 21
What themes were central to Nazi campaigning?

Answer 21

• Nationalism.
• Antisemitism.
• Anti-Communism.
• The promise to rebuild Germany.

Question 22

Queston 22
How did Nazis spread their message more widely?

Answer 22

They used Hugenberg’s media empire & gained attention through campaigns like the anti-Young Plan.

Question 23

Question 23
Who made up most of the SA’s membership?

Answer 23

Ex-soldiers & working-class unemployed men, many of whom sought purpose & enjoyed violence.

Question 24

Question 24
What incentives did SA members receive?

Answer 24

• Uniforms.
• Meals.
• Sometimes accommodation in SA hostels.

Question 25

Question 25 How large was the SA by 1933?

Answer 25

Around 500,000 members.

Question 26

Question 26 Who led the SA during this period?

Answer 26

Ernst Röhm.

Question 27

Question 27 Why did many Germans support Hitler regarding the SA?

Answer 27

They believed only Hitler could control the violent SA.

Question 28

Question 28 What did the Nazis promise the working class to gain their support?

Answer 28

* Work. * Food - Bread & Work. * Protection for women. * A future for children. * Action against big Jewish businesses.

Question 29

Question 29 Why did some workers turn away from the SPD and KPD toward the Nazis?

Answer 29

They felt the SPD and KPD had failed to protect workers' interests.

Question 30

Question 30 What promises did the Nazis make to industrialists?

Answer 30

* Economic revival. * Protection from Communism. * Restoring prosperity for their businesses.

Question 31

Question 31 Why were industrialists attracted to Nazi policies?

Answer 31

Fear of Communism & the appeal of an extreme solution to Weimar instability.

Question 32

Question 32 How did the Nazis appeal to peasants?

Answer 32

* Promised Bread & Work. * Protection for women & children. * Relief from the agricultural crisis. * More land for small farmers.

Question 33

Question 33 What economic hardship affected German peasants after 1927?

Answer 33

Grain prices fell to one-third of their 1913 level, causing severe financial distress.

Question 34

Question 34 How did the Nazis attract the lower middle class?

Answer 34

* Promised protection of small businesses. * Blamed Jews for economic problems. * Offered national pride & hope for the future.

Question 35

Question 35 Why were small business owners drawn to the Nazis?

Answer 35

Disillusionment with the Weimar Republic and fear of being left behind in a changing world.

Question 36

Question 36 What fears motivated the upper middle class to support the Nazis?

Answer 36

* Fear of Socialism & Communism. * Eonomic instability. * A desire to protect their businesses.

Question 37

Question 37 What specific promises did the Nazis make to the upper class?

Answer 37

* Removal of Jewish business rivals. * Protection from Communism. * Preservation of Capitalism. * Restoration of an authoritarian order.

Question 38

Question 38 Why was nostalgia important for upper-class support of the Nazis?

Answer 38

They longed for the return of an older, authoritarian system that protected their privileges.

Question 39

Question 39 How did Hitler’s personal traits help secure support across classes?

Answer 39

His charismatic leadership & vision for a restored Germany inspired hope and national pride.

Question 40

Question 40 How did Hitler use his trial after the Munich Putsch to his advantage?

Answer 40

He attacked the Weimar regime, spouted political rhetoric & became a nationally known figure/celebrity.

Question 41

Question 41 Why was Hitler able to speak so freely during his trial?

Answer 41

The judges were sympathetic to right-wing causes.

Question 42

Question 42 What was Hitler’s prison sentence for the Munich Putsch?

Answer 42

5 years - but he served only 9 months. ## Footnote He was released for good behaviour.

Question 43

Question 43 What major work did Hitler produce during his prison time?

Answer 43

Mein Kampf - "My Struggle".

Question 44

Question 44 What key realisation did Hitler come to while in prison?

Answer 44

That the Nazis could not gain power through revolution but needed to do so democratically through the ballot box.

Question 45

Question 45 How did writing Mein Kampf affect Hitler personally?

Answer 45

It cemented his political worldview, reinforced his narcissism, and strengthened his belief in his messianic role as Germany’s ‘great leader’ or Führer.

Question 46

Question 46 What was the state of the Nazi Party when Hitler was released from prison?

Answer 46

The party was on the verge of collapse, split into revolutionary & legalist factions.

Question 47

Question 47 Who led the Nazi Party while Hitler was in prison, & why was this important?

Answer 47

Alfred Rosenberg, chosen because his weak leadership would allow Hitler to easily reclaim power upon his release.

Question 48

Question 48 What were Hitler’s key priorities to rebuild the Nazi Party after his release?

Answer 48

* Remove liabilities. * Build a loyal core in Munich & Southern Germany. * Neutralise opposition within the party.

Question 49

Question 49 By 1928, what showed that Hitler had effectively restructured the Nazi Party?

Answer 49

* Organised structure. * Quadrupled membership since 1925. * Secure leadership after neutralising Strasser’s faction.

Question 50

Question 50 What strategy did Hitler pursue for the May 1928 election?

Answer 50

Focus on urban areas to convert disillusioned left-wing workers to Nazism.

Question 51

Question 51 Why did the Nazis fail to gain mass working-class support in 1928?

Answer 51

Hitler refused to allow Nazi trade unions & the party appeared middle/upper class to workers.

Question 52

Question 52 How did the Nazis expand among right-wing groups by 1928?

Answer 52

They absorbed many smaller right-wing, racist organisations.

Question 53

Question 53 What was the Nazi Party’s result in the May 1928 Reichstag election?

Answer 53

2.6% of the vote & 12 seats.

Question 54

Question 54 What doubt did the 1928 election result raise within the Nazi Party?

Answer 54

Whether the legal, democratic path was effective — some members considered a return to revolutionary tactics.

Question 55

Question 55 Where did the Nazis achieve notable success despite poor overall results in 1928?

Answer 55

Northern Germany among rural, middle, & lower middle classes.

Question 56

Question 56 How did the Nazis perform in the 1929 regional elections in Thuringia?

Answer 56

Trebled their vote share & won 11.3% — breaking the 10% barrier for the first time.

Question 57

Question 57 What strategic shift did the Nazis make after the 1928 election?

Answer 57

They refocused efforts primarily on rural areas while maintaining a presence in urban centers.