Nazi Germany

By 17096

  • World War I ended

    World War I ended with a total of 36 million casualties including 9 million dead soldiers. The Germans were not prepared for defeat. The German national pride was hit hard, with those who were responsible stated that Germany had been 'stabbed in the back'. The new Governments were left struggling violently for control.

  • Hitler joined the German Workers' Party

    Hitler joined the German Workers' Party and rose to leadership with his amazing oral speeches. He had very strong opinions and was very good at conveying them to audiences, with his captivating voice. His ideas included national pride, militarism, a 'pure' Germany, and discrimination against Jews.

  • Hitler changed the name of the Party

    Hitler changed the name from the German Workers' Party to the National Socialist German Workers' Party, or the Nazi Party for short (NSDAP) to try make the party seem more attractive. This name was actually borrowed from another Austrian party. Hitler originally suggested the name 'Social Revolutionary Party' but Rudolf Jung persuaded him to go for NSDAP. By the end of 1920, the Nazi Party had about 3000 members.

  • The Treaty Of Versailles was created

    The Treaty Of Versailles stated that German army was reduced to 100 000 men, they were not allowed an air force, were only allowed 6 ships and no submarines, and the Rhineland was demilitarised. Some of Germany owned land was taken away from them. Germany had to pay 6.6 billion in reparations, as well as losing their main sources of resources. They were also not allowed to unite with Austria and they had to accept the blame for causing the war.

  • Hitler became the sole leader of the Nazi Party

    Hitler became the Nazi Party's official chief of propaganda, as well as the party's Fuehrer. Hitler was the only one who members would swear loyalty unto death. All the final decisions would be rested to him and the strategies would be made by him.

  • The SA was created

    The Sturmabteilung (The SA or also known as the Brownshirts from the colour of their uniforms) was the paramilitary unit, a propaganda arm that became known for its strong tactics of street brawling and terror. They were in charge of providing protection for Nazi rallies and assemblies, and fighting and disrupting the other parties.

  • Hitler orgainised the Munich Putsch

    Hitler orgainised an army to overthrow the local authorities in Munich, but it failed miserably. Hitler hoped that it would spark a revolution against the Germany's government. He expected it would be a easy triumphant walk to victory, but it was unsuccessful. During the Putsch, 16 Nazis were killed, and many were captured and imprisoned. The Nazi Party was also banned.

  • Hitler was jailed

    Hitler was put in jail, but didn't go quietly. He used his trial as a way to gain more support, and promote his propaganda. By the end of the trial, he had actually attained more followers for his courage. Hitler was then sentenced to 5 years in prison. While in prison he wrote Mein Kampf (My Struggle), which showed his views on the world. The book later on became the base of all Nazi beliefs. On December 20 1924, after only served nine months, he was released.

  • Hitler rebuilt the Nazi Party

    After getting out of jail Hitler managed to convince the authorities to lift the ban on the NSDAP. Hitler began organising the Nazi Party once again waiting for his chance to gain some power within Germany. Hitler reclaimed his spot of Fuehrer in the party.

  • Paul von Hindenburg was elected president

    The Conservative military hero von Hindenburg was elected president. After this, Germany stabilised.

  • The SS was created

    The Schutzstaffel (SS) was created as a new personal bodyguard unit for Hitler. It was separate and smaller from the SA, as Hitler did not trust the SA. The SS was a smaller elite group within the SA.

  • Hitler stared making new groups

    Hitler began making groups to appeal to the younger population of Germans. They were to influence the children that he and the Nazi Party were the good guys.The main one was Hitler Youth (Hitler Jugend), used to attract young men who could be trained to become the next generation of leaders. Other groups included
    Pimpfen, Jungvolk, Jungmadelbund and Bund Deutsche Mädel all made specifically for certain genders and ages.

  • The Nazi Party starts to fall

    The Nazi Party failed to keep gaining new supporters. In May 1928, the party did poorly in the Reichstag (German parliament) elections, winning only 2.6% of the total vote. The party then changed tactics, shifting its strategy to rural and small towns. The Nazi propaganda also proved effective.

  • The Great Depression began

    When the Great Depression hit, the whole world's economic state fell. Germany was effected really badly, with the government unable to cope. The nation went into despair, as unemployment almost doubled. The government collapsed, arguing about what to do with the unemployed.

  • The Nazi Party started a mass movement

    From 27,000 members in 1925, the Party grew to 108,000 in 1929

  • President von Hindenburg created a new government

    The presidents advisers persuaded him in use the emergency presidential powers. That let him restore law and order in a crisis. He then created a new government which ruled by emergency decrees instead of the laws passed by the old government. Heinrich Bruning became the first person to rule under the new system, but he was unable to unify the government.

  • The Nazi Party gains more support

    In September 1930, there were new elections. The Nazi Party managed to gain 18.3% of the vote, making it the second largest party in the government. The party used a more modern approach to the campaign, in which they had speeches, meeting, posing for pictures, signing autographs like a celebrity. He appealed to the audiences, saying that there was something for everyone, and using his propaganda to convince he would be the right choice.

  • Hitler ran for president

    Hitler ran for president again von Hindenburg, and whilst didn't win, showed a great deal of competition. By then, the SA had 400,000 members. The Germans voted for Hitler because of his promises to fix the German economy and to restore German greatness, and that they would revoke the Treaty Of Versailles.

  • The Nazi Party became the largest party

    The Nazi Party became the largest party in the Reichstag election, by a large margin. This caused mayhem with the Nazis and the Communists (who had opposite views on the world) fighting for power.

  • Hitler became Reich Chancellor

    The government organised another election, hoping that it would find a way out of the fight between the Nazis and the Communists. The support for the Nazis fell, possibly because the worst of the Depression had passed. This made the Nazis anxious, and they thought that they had to act quickly. They managed to persuade Hindenburg that it was safe to appoint Hitler as Reich Chancellor.

  • Nazis saluted their new leader, Adolf Hitler

    Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany on 30 January 1933.

  • Hitler gains dictatorial powers

    Hitler convinced the president to allow him to suspend personal freedom and rights in February 1933. In March 1933, the parliament passed the Enabling Act, which gave Hitler the right to make laws without the consent of the parliament. Hitler could now do what he wanted without having to go through parliament.