The Rise of Nazism and Hitler's Dictatorship in Germany

The Weimar Republic and Early Nazism

After World War I, elections for a constituent assembly were held in Germany. The assembly passed a constitution, and Germany became a democratic republic known as the Weimar Republic. From its inception, the new republic faced significant opposition from extremist groups, particularly from the extreme right, who felt betrayed by the Treaty of Versailles.

Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party

Adolf Hitler (1889-1945) emerged as the most prominent leader of this extreme right. He reorganized the National Socialist German Worker’s Party (NSDAP), commonly known as the Nazi Party, and established a paramilitary wing, the Assault Division (SA). As the leader of the Nazi Party, Hitler orchestrated a failed coup attempt, the Munich Putsch (1923), and was subsequently imprisoned. During his incarceration, he authored Mein Kampf, a book that outlined the fundamental tenets of Nazism. While incorporating many characteristics of fascism, Hitler notably emphasized the importance of racism. He asserted the superiority of the Aryan race and promoted virulent antisemitism, blaming Jews for all of Germany’s problems. According to Hitler, Germans, as Aryans, had the inherent right to dominate other races and should expand their "living space" by conquering new territories.

Hitler's Rise to Power

Germany's challenging economic situation in the 1920s, initially marked by hyperinflation and later exacerbated by the 1929 stock market crash, intensified social tensions. The crash, in particular, led to skyrocketing unemployment, and austerity measures worsened conditions for the working class. This economic distress caused a shift in political allegiances:

• The working class increasingly supported the Communist Party.
• The upper and middle classes favored the Nazi Party.

Fearing a communist revolution, industrialists and financiers provided crucial support to the Nazi Party to safeguard their interests. In the 1932 elections, the Nazi Party garnered the most votes but failed to secure an absolute majority, preventing them from governing alone. Under pressure from the upper classes, President Hindenburg appointed Hitler as Chancellor in 1933.

Consolidation of Power and the Third Reich

To solidify his authority, Hitler implemented an intense campaign of repression. He outlawed all other political parties and trade unions, with Nazis particularly persecuting communists, even propagating a hoax about their involvement in the burning of the Reichstag building. Hitler also eliminated potential rivals within his own party, assassinating many members of the SA during the Night of the Long Knives. When Hindenburg died in 1934, Hitler assumed the presidency, effectively holding all three top positions in the country:

• Head of State
• Head of Government
• President of the only legal party

This marked the beginning of Hitler’s dictatorship, known as the Third Reich. At this juncture, he introduced a severe antisemitic policy, banning Jews from numerous professions and orchestrating violence against them, including the destruction of their properties, as seen during the Night of Broken Glass (Kristallnacht).

Mechanisms of Control and Propaganda

Nazis employed terror to control the population. The SS replaced the SA as the Nazi Party's primary paramilitary group, actively persecuting opponents. Additionally, the Gestapo, the secret police, was established to eliminate "subversive elements," often resorting to torture and execution.

Simultaneously, the Nazis were masters of propaganda. Under Joseph Goebbels' control, the media portrayed Hitler as the magnificent leader Germany needed. Large rallies served propaganda purposes, and even the 1936 Olympic Games were utilized for this role.

Economic Policies of the Third Reich

Economically, the Nazis pursued a policy of autarky, aiming to make Germany self-sufficient. This was complemented by a massive program of public works and military rearmament. These initiatives, combined with the growth of heavy industry, significantly contributed to Germany achieving full employment by 1939.