Foundation and Ideologies of the Nazi Party 1919-1923
Founding of the Nazi Party
- The Nazi Party, officially known as the National Socialist German Workers' Party, was founded in 1920, evolving from the German Workers’ Party.
- Anton Drexler and Dietrich Eckhart were among the key early figures within the party.
- Adolf Hitler joined in 1919 and quickly rose to prominence due to his riveting speech style and his powerful oratory skills.
Ideologies of the Nazi Party
- Nazi ideology largely stemmed from Hitler’s personal beliefs, which he expressed in his book, Mein Kampf.
- Ultra-nationalistic: Nazis placed Germany and the Aryan race at the pinnacle of importance, aiming to enhance national unity and pride.
- Social Darwinism: Argued that the Aryan race was superior and such races should be preserved and strengthened while weaker ones should be dominated or eliminated.
- Lebensraum: Advocated for German territorial expansion primarily towards the East to accommodate the so-called superior Aryan race.
- Anti-Marxism: Believed Marxism, especially communism, was a threat to Germany and blamed it on the Jews.
- Anti-Semitism: Blamed Jews for Germany's struggles after World War I. This escalated into massive human rights abuses, culminating in the Holocaust.
Early Rise and Challenges 1921-1923
- Hitler was appointed as party leader in 1921, establishing a commanding presence within the party.
- The party was banned temporarily after the failed Munich Beer Hall Putsch in November 1923, set up to seize power in Munich. Hitler was subsequently imprisoned.
- Hitler used the trial and his imprisonment to gain attention and sympathy; during this time, he wrote the first volume of Mein Kampf.
- Despite the early setbacks, the failed coup significantly raised the party's profile nationally, setting the stage for their rise in the 1930s.
The Swastika and Propaganda
- The Nazi Party adopted the swastika, an ancient symbol often associated with luck and prosperity, as their emblem in 1920.
- Propaganda was heavily utilised, effectively manipulating public perception of the party. Themes often revolved around anti-Semitic and Nationalistic sentiments.