
Source: Bundesarchiv, Bild 102-00344A / Heinrich Hoffmann / CC-BY-SA 3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/de/deed.en, via Wikimedia Commons
Inquiry Question: How did Adolf Hitler and the NSDAP (Nazi Party) take control of Germany?
How did Adolf Hitler and the Nazis seize power in Germany? This has been a hotly debated question in history. While it is not our purpose in this unit to discuss this issue, it is nonetheless important to outline some key moments that led Hitler to absolute power in Germany, and as a result, to a position where he could execute his antisemitic policies. In this lesson we will briefly identify the nature of the post-war German government, known as the Weimar Republic, and how Hitler was able to come to power by democratic means. There are important lessons here for contemporary democratic states as it highlights how fragile democracy can be in the face of populist agitation.
Bonus Source and for next year… https://histoire.museeholocauste.ca/en/timeline/nazi-path-power
KEY IDEA: MANIPULATION
Viewing instructions: Record some notes in your notes on the following while you watch.
- Challenges facing the Weimar Republic between 1918 and 1933.
- Strategies used by Hitler to win power in Germany.
Timeline Activity
Work collaboratively in groups to create a timeline of events relevant to the Holocaust that occurred before and during World War Two. We will begin this timeline today and return to it in the future when we learn about life for Jews in Nazi Germany.’ Each group will work on one event. When everyone is finished groups will briefly present their learning to the class. Use the Jamboard (on the WordPress) to communicate your learning.
Use the sources on the WordPress to research and find information about the following events. Make sure you place the events in chronological order.
- Enabling Act
- US Stock Market Crash (Great Depression)
- Mein Kampf
- Reichstag Fire
- Beerhall Putsch
For each event you should include a short description that includes the following;
- Summary of the event (what, who, where, when, why).
- Consequences of the event.
“The Nazi Rise to Power” The Wiener Holocaust Library
“Holocaust Encyclopedia,” United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
A Look at the Evidence: Triumph of the Will
Origin: Triumph of the Will was a German film (movie) released in 1935, two years after Adolf Hitler seized power in 1933. It documents the sixth annual party congress of the National Socialist German Workers Party (NSDAP), also known as the Nazi Party, in the city of Nuremberg.
While watching sections of the film record some observations about it. Possible observations to make are listed below.
- What do you see?
- How would you describe Adolf Hitler in the film?
- How do people react to Hitler and his words?
- What are some things that Hitler says?
- Why do you think this film was made? What was its purpose?
“Triumph of the Will (Triumph des Willens),” Facing History and Ourselves
Below is a short article from The Guardian which includes a primary source account of one of Hitler’s early speeches in 1921. Daniel Binchy, an Irish student in Berlin, recounted his reaction to hearing Hitler speak.
“‘A born natural orator’: Irish student’s account of Hitler in 1921 emerges,” The Guardian
“As we left the meeting my friend asked me what I thought of this new party leader. With all the arrogance of 21 I replied: ‘A harmless lunatic with the gift of oratory.’ I can still hear his retort: ‘No lunatic with the gift of oratory is harmless.’”
Reflection and Review
Based on what you have learned, why do you think Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party took control of Germany in 1933? In other words, what do you think was the most important cause or factor that resulted in the Nazis taking power in Germany?
Some possible answers include;
- Economic conditions.
- Political instability.
- Hitler’s charisma and Nazi ideology.
Key Terminology
| Hyperinflation | |
| Weimar Republic | |
| Beerhall Putsch | |
| Great Depression | |
| Enabling Act | |
| Reichstag Fire | |
| Mein Kampf | |
| Sturmabteilung (SA) | |