Hitler Seeks Power

1. Hitler Seeks Power Reorganisation of Party

2. Creating a National Party • Germany had changed by the time Hitler was released from Landsberg Prison. • The economy had improved. • Political situation had calmed.

3. Mein Kampf • Autobiography, Political ideas and an explanation of Propaganda techniques. • Outlined his political philosophy • He argued that the German was superior to all others • Hitler warned that the Aryan's superiority was being threatened by intermarriage

4. Hitler believed that Aryan superiority was being threatened particularly by the Jewish race who, he argued, were lazy and had contributed little to world civilization • He claimed that the "Jewish youth lies in wait for hours on end satanically glaring at and spying on the unconscious girl whom he plans to seduce, adulterating her blood with the ultimate idea of bastardizing the white race which they hate and thus lowering its cultural and political level so that the Jew might dominate."

5. If he won power Hitler promised to occupy Russian land that would provide protection and lebensraum (living space) for the German people. • Hitler believed that the Jews were involved with Communists in a joint conspiracy to take over the world

6. Release from Prison • Hitler was released from prison on 20th December, 1924 • The German people gradually gained a new faith in their democratic system and began to find the extremist solutions proposed by people such as Hitler unattractive

7. Hitler attempted to play down his extremist image, and claimed that he was no longer in favour of revolution but was willing to compete with other parties in democratic elections • Hitler claimed that national socialism meant all people doing their best for society and posed no threat to the wealth of the rich

8. Lessons of Failure • NSDAP was only really known in Bavaria. • Hitler needed to become a party of the whole nation, its members had to be known throughout Germany. • National Organisation

9. Party Headquarters Gua – (Regional Headquarters) Kreis – District Organisation Local Branches Local Branches held meetings and handed out leaflets. Good Framework.

10. Hitler achieved total control over the party, which accepted the Fuhrerprinzip (leadership principle) as a key part of its policy.

11. Propaganda • Dr Josef Goebbels • Publicity expert • Goebbels joined the National Socialist German Workers Party (NSDAP) in 1926 • Hitler admired Goebbels' abilities as a writer and speaker • He edited Der Angriff (The Attack) and used the daily newspaper to promote the idea of German nationalism.

12. Hitler's Oratory Skills • Most powerful method of influencing people was by speaking to them directly. Hitler’s greatest talent was oratory. • Addressing as many public meetings as possible. • Travelled the country spreading the Nazi message.

15. Parades were central to the Nazi Campaign, the smart uniforms of S.A. were highly visible on the streets. • Brownshirts served several purposes • Young, disciplined image in the military tradition • Intimidation (breaking up opponents meetings and fights, protection of NSDAP meetings)

18. Visual Propaganda • Display of Symbols • Nazi Slogans • Posters • Mass Media, Many Nazi Newspapers • Volkischer Beobachter ( People’s Observer)

20. Youth Serves the Leader

21. The organised will of the nation

24. Questions • Why did Hitler need to reorganise the Nazi Party? Give a detailed answer. • In what ways did Hitler change the Party? • How did Hitler use his own talents to spread the Nazi Ideas? • What role did Dr Goebbels play in the Nazis gaining more Support? • What is Propaganda? • What types of Propaganda did the Nazis use and why?