The Lean Years, 1923-1929

Question 1

The Nazis in the mid-1920s

Answer 1

The Nazis suffered because the Weimar Republic was succeeding.
Germany was politically stable and had no need for the extremism of the Nazis.
In order for the Nazis to achieve success, they would have to participate in the Weimar Republic’s democratic elections.

Question 2

Nazis and the democratic system

Answer 2

In participating in legal elections, Hitler said that the Nazi Party would have to ‘hold their noses’. This shows how much he despised the democratic system he was forced to be part of.
But the Nazis only had 32 seats in the Reichstag in 1924 and this dropped to 12 seats in 1928.
Despite this, membership for the Nazis increased from 27,000 in 1925 to 130,000 in 1929.

Question 3

Nazi reorganisation

Answer 3

Hitler wanted to reorganise the Nazi party to maximise support.
Hitler made himself the centre of the Nazi party.
This meant that the appeal of the Nazis largely rested on him as a charismatic (able to influence people) leader.

Question 4

Expansion of the party and the SA

Answer 4

Hitler expanded the Nazi Party onto a national level.
Each region of Germany would be run by a gauleiter (local Nazi official) who reported to Hitler.
Hitler grew the SA so they could intimidate opponents and make the Nazis appear strong.
But the SA were difficult to control.

Question 5

The northern and southern groups

Answer 5

In February 1926, Hitler called the Bamberg Conference to resolve tension between the northern and southern groups of the Nazi party.
The northern group stressed the socialist (for everyone in society sharing the profits from industry) parts of the 25-point programme.
The southern part stressed the nationalist (for political independence) parts of the 25-point programme.

Question 6

The rise of nationalism

Answer 6

Hitler made sure everyone understood that the 25-point programme reflected the Nazi vision.
But he said that the socialist points would not actually be followed.

Question 7

Fuhrerprinzip

Answer 7

Hitler laid out the Fuhrerprinzip (Leadership Principle).
This meant he had complete authority (power) in the Nazi party and would not tolerate (put up with) any opposition.