Rise of Hitler
• WARNING!
• Remember these answers are
not full answers but are just
suggestions of points that you
could include!
Why was this poster published in
Germany in 1932?
A poster published in Germany in
1932. It says, ‘Our last hope: Hitler’.
• What is the main message ?
The artist of the cartoon wants
me to think…
• Why was the source
published?
I think the cartoon was published
because…
• What was happening at the
time to explain why the source
was published?
I know at this time…
• The message of the source is to tell people that
Hitler will help them and that they should look to
him if they are to improve their lives. The German
people were going through a depression. Many had
lost their jobs, were homeless and starving. The
government had done little to help them and Hitler
was their last hope.’
• The purpose of the poster was to persuade people
to vote for, and support, Hitler. If they voted for
Hitler employment would increase and the
economic problems of the Weimar would be
solved. Employment would be increased.
• I know at this time, there were 2 elections in 1932
and supporters of the Nazis would be using
propaganda in order to gain them votes.
4 mark questions
• Describe Hitler’s role in the Nazi Party before
1923.
• Describe the development of the Nazi Party from
1924 to 1928.
• In what ways did Hitler and the Nazis change
tactics following the Munich Putsch?
• Describe the Munich Putsch of 1923.
6 mark questions
• Explain why Hitler attempted the Munich
Putsch.
• Explain why few people voted for the Nazis
before 1930.
• Explain why the Munich Putsch was not a
complete disaster for the Nazis.
10 mark questions
• ‘The Munich Putsch of 1923 was a disaster for
Hitler and the Nazi Party.’ How far do you agree
with this statement? Explain your answer.
• The effects of the Depression were the main
reason why Hitler became Chancellor of
Germany by 1933.’ How far do you agree with
this statement? Explain your answer.
• How far was the threat of Communism the main
reason for Hitler becoming Chancellor in 1933?
Explain your answer.
Describe Hitler’s role in the Nazi Party
before 1923.
• In 1920 Hitler was put in charge of propaganda.’
• ‘He changed the name of the Party to National Socialist
German Workers’ Party (Nazis).’
• ‘In 1921 he challenged Drexler and took over the Party.’
• ‘His aim was to overthrow the Weimar Republic.’
• ‘He chose the swastika and colours.’
• ‘He drew up a 25-point programme showing the aims
of the party.’
• ‘In 1921 he set about converting the Party into a mass
movement and by 1922 had 3000 members.’
• ‘He established the SA with many Freikorps
In what ways did Hitler and the Nazis change
tactics following the Munich Putsch?
• He realised whilst in prison that the Nazis would
not be able to change power by force.’
• ‘They would have to work within the democratic
system but once in power they could destroy that
system.’
• ‘He began to rebuild the Nazi Party to make it
acceptable to the electorate by making the party
less extreme.’
• ‘He persuaded members of the party to adopt
the original 25-point programme.’
Describe the development of the Nazi
Party from 1924 to 1928.
• ‘It was difficult at first as the leader, Hitler, was in
prison.’
• ‘Little progress was made initially as the Nazi
Party was banned until 1925.’
• ‘Hitler decided to win power by legal means, but
the success of Stresemann’s policies
• meant that there was little support for
extremists.’
• ‘In the 1928 election the Nazis won just 12 seats.’
Describe the Munich Putsch of 1923
• ‘Hitler believed the German economy was on the verge of
collapse and he tried to seize power.’
• ‘It was an attempt to overthrow the Weimar Republic.’
• ‘He and his supporters broke up a meeting in a Munich
beer hall.’
• ‘He forced the Bavarian state government leaders to take
part in a rebellion against the government. He allowed the
Bavarians to leave and they quickly changed their minds.’
• ‘On the 9 November Hitler and 3000 Nazis marched on
Munich and were fired on by the police.
• ‘Sixteen Nazis were killed.’
• ‘Hitler was arrested and sentenced to five years for
conspiracy.’
Explain why Hitler attempted the Munich Putsch.
• ‘Hitler wanted to destroy the Weimar. He believed it was an
opportune time to topple the Weimar government. The
government was pre-occupied with the economic crisis and
hyper-inflation
• ‘Hitler wanted to secure power and through his close
relationship with Ludendorff believed that Ludendorff would be
able to persuade the German army to desert the government
and side with the Nazis.’
• ‘The Bavarian government was right-wing. Its leaders had been
plotting against the government. Hitler felt sure they would
support a putsch.’
• ‘There was discontent in Germany due to the effects of
hyperinflation. Many nationalists still hated the Treaty and were
furious when Stresemann called off the passive resistance in the
Ruhr and resumed paying reparations. With this in mind Hitler
thought it was the right time to seize power.’
Explain why few people voted for the Nazis
before 1930.
• ‘Stresemann’s
•
•
•
•
•
policies were successful with Germany
improving economically.’
‘There was very little support for extremist parties.’
‘The party was banned until 1925.’
‘There was more social freedom under the moderate
parties.’
‘People were put off by the Munich Putsch.’
There was political stability in Germany in the 1920s
despite the constitutions use of proportional
representation. Politically the public were voting for the
‘moderate’ parties such as the SPD who constantly
attracted between 20% to 30% of the vote thus helping
to maintain the government in office.
Explain why the Munich Putsch wasn’t
a complete disaster for the Nazis.
• ‘It showed they would not gain power by
violence.’
• ‘It highlighted that the Nazis needed to revisit
their main beliefs.’
• ‘It gained Hitler enormous publicity.’
• ‘Prison gave Hitler time to reflect that
progress for the Nazis would only come
• through the ballot box.’
The effects of the Depression were the main reason
why Hitler became Chancellor of Germany by 1933.’
How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your
answer.
‘As a result of the impact on American business of the Wall Street Crash
American banks called in the loans they had made to Germany. Without
these loans German industry could not operate. Factories closed and
millions lost their jobs. Hitler promised to restore the German economy
and get the men back to work. This obviously appealed to the millions out
of work and in 1932 Hitler was the leader of the Party holding the largest
number of seats in the Reichstag.’
‘After the July 1932 Reichstag elections, the Nazis were the largest single
party. Hitler demanded the post of Chancellor but was refused it by
Hindenburg who did not trust him. Papen lost most of his support in the
Reichstag and in the November 1932 election there were signs that the
Nazis were losing support and Hitler’s claim was rejected in favour of
Schleicher. He resigned within a month. To everyone’s surprise Hitler was
offered the post on 30 Jan 1933 as Papen and Hindenburg thought they
could control Hitler.’
‘The Munich Putsch of 1923 was a disaster for Hitler
and the Nazi Party.’ How far do you agree with this
statement? Explain your answer.
The Munich Putsch was a disaster as it failed and Hitler and
others received a prison sentence. This meant that at that time
he was unable to fulfil his ambition to take control of Germany.
Hitler had miscalculated the mood of the country and people
did not rise up and support him. A ban was placed on the Nazi
Party preventing it having a public voice (lifted in 1925).
It was not a disaster as it gave Hitler and the Nazis the
opportunity to re-evaluate policy and to implement it using
peaceful means and gaining power through the ballot box. At
his trial Hitler took the opportunity to make stirring speeches
that got a lot of publicity. He had his sentence reduced. But
was able to write the first part of Mein Kampf to outline his
views and Nazi policy.
How far was the threat of Communism the main reason
for Hitler becoming Chancellor in 1933? Explain your
answer.
The Nazi Party was anti-communist. It appealed to all those
who feared what communism might bring. Industrialists were
particularly fearful that a communist government would take
over their businesses. By this policy he won the support of the
leading industrialists, some of whom financed the Nazi Party.
The Nazis needed money and votes to gain power and when
in power to stay there to enable Hitler to become Chancellor.
This support was gained by showing they wished to remove
Communism. However, much greater was Hitler’s cunning
which enabled him to convince Hindenburg and Von Papen
that he could be controlled and their naivety in believing this.
Additionally Nazi policies were a reason but less so.’