4. The development of the Nazi Party 1924-1929
Nazi change of tactics 1924-29
*Change from physical force to constitutional tactics*
The failure of the Munich Putsch convinced Hitler that the only way of getting power was by
legal means “hold our noses and enter the Reichstag”
The Nazi Party was banned in the immediate aftermath of the putsch
However, while Hitler was still in prison, the Nazis under another name, entered the
Reichstag elections and, in the afterglow of the trial, won 32 seats
However, just 7 months later there was another election and the Nazis did disastrously
(seats reduced to just 14)
However, the party remained deeply divided
Not everyone agreed with new policy of legality
Traditional regional hostilities continued to exist e.g. between party’s power base in
Bavaria and branches in northern Germany
Policy difference between nationalist and anti-capitalist wings
For over a year Hitler struggled with this internal friction
Gregor Strasser epitomised the opposing standpoint- favoured more socialist, anti-capitalist
policies for workers and was effectively leader of movement in northern Germany (built Nazi
Party into mass movement)
Became disillusioned when Hitler courted big businesses
In Feb. 1926, differences within the party came to a head at a special party conference in
Bamberg
Victory for Hitler as he mobilised sufficient support to re-establish his supremacy however,
party declared that original 25 point programme with its socialist elements remained
unchanged
Role of Hitler in rise of Nazis
Able to turn his failure at Munich into a propaganda success- gained national publicity from
his bold defence at his trial
Used time in prison to reflect on politics and to write Mein Kampf
The chaos into which the Nazi party fell during his absence showed his indispensability to
the movement
Party was officially refounded on 27th Feb. 1925
He virtually re-founded the party and based it around the ‘Furher Principle’
This gave Hitler supreme power over both policy and strategy
He reorganised the party’s strategy, structure and symbols- introduced brown shirt for his
SA storm troopers, adopted the outstretched right arm as a salute and personally designed
the Nazi flag with the swastika- gave the party a clear and recognisable identity
Only the 25 point programme remained fixed although its interpretation would become
flexible
The ‘Furher Principle’ made the party an obedient tool of Hitler’s will
Nazi change of tactics 1924-29
*Change from physical force to constitutional tactics*
The failure of the Munich Putsch convinced Hitler that the only way of getting power was by
legal means “hold our noses and enter the Reichstag”
The Nazi Party was banned in the immediate aftermath of the putsch
However, while Hitler was still in prison, the Nazis under another name, entered the
Reichstag elections and, in the afterglow of the trial, won 32 seats
However, just 7 months later there was another election and the Nazis did disastrously
(seats reduced to just 14)
However, the party remained deeply divided
Not everyone agreed with new policy of legality
Traditional regional hostilities continued to exist e.g. between party’s power base in
Bavaria and branches in northern Germany
Policy difference between nationalist and anti-capitalist wings
For over a year Hitler struggled with this internal friction
Gregor Strasser epitomised the opposing standpoint- favoured more socialist, anti-capitalist
policies for workers and was effectively leader of movement in northern Germany (built Nazi
Party into mass movement)
Became disillusioned when Hitler courted big businesses
In Feb. 1926, differences within the party came to a head at a special party conference in
Bamberg
Victory for Hitler as he mobilised sufficient support to re-establish his supremacy however,
party declared that original 25 point programme with its socialist elements remained
unchanged
Role of Hitler in rise of Nazis
Able to turn his failure at Munich into a propaganda success- gained national publicity from
his bold defence at his trial
Used time in prison to reflect on politics and to write Mein Kampf
The chaos into which the Nazi party fell during his absence showed his indispensability to
the movement
Party was officially refounded on 27th Feb. 1925
He virtually re-founded the party and based it around the ‘Furher Principle’
This gave Hitler supreme power over both policy and strategy
He reorganised the party’s strategy, structure and symbols- introduced brown shirt for his
SA storm troopers, adopted the outstretched right arm as a salute and personally designed
the Nazi flag with the swastika- gave the party a clear and recognisable identity
Only the 25 point programme remained fixed although its interpretation would become
flexible
The ‘Furher Principle’ made the party an obedient tool of Hitler’s will
