Conditions
Treaty of Versailles
WW1 Reparation sum was settled
Ruhr invasion and hyperinflation
Dawes Plan was passed (economic
stabilization), which was the starting
point of the Weimar Golden age
Locarno Treaty was signed between
Germany and France
Germany was accepted into the
League of Nations
Year Methods
1919
1920 Founding of the NSDAP
The 25 point programme drawn up as the official
party ideology, mixing racism, nationalism,
socialism.
1921 In a battle for party control, Hitler established
himself as Führer of the party
SA established as a paramilitary branch of the
Party
Early propaganda strategies adopted, such as the
swastika, Nazi salute and uniform
1922 Göring joined the party
1923 Failed Beer Hall coup
1924 Trial against Hitler for treason, leading to a
lenient prison sentence of 5 years, which was
further reduced to 9 months.
While in prison, Hitler decided on a new strategy
for the party (the Policy of Legality)
1925 Hitler’s political treaty, Mein Kampf, was
published.
SS was formed as Hitler’s personal body guards
1926 Hitler re-established his full control over the
party.
Reorganisation of the party to reflect the new
Policy of legality. Since the aim now was to rise to
power using democratic means, rather than
violence, the party became divided into regions
that reflected the electoral districts in Germany.
The Nazi Party founded sub-organisations to
appeal to certain groups such as the Hitler youth,
the Nazi Teachers organization, and Nazi
women’s groups.
Development of a propaganda strategy, where
propaganda was targeted specific social groups
(NSDAP became a “catch-all” party). Propaganda
used methods such as a ‘cult of personality’
around Hitler, as well as appealing to mass
psychology, unifying themes and scapegoating.
They also used new technology such as media
and large rallies.

The Great Depression starts
Brüning became chancellor and ruled
increasingly through the use of the
emergency decree in the Weimar
constitution called clause 48
Brüning was dismissed as chancellor
and von Papen replaced him but failed
to gain support from the parliament.
Internal power struggle among the
political elites.
Unemployment reached 6 million
people
1927
1928 The Nazi Party gained only 2.6% of the votes
1929
1930 The Nazi Party gained 18% of the votes
1931
1932 The Nazi party won 37% of the votes and became
the biggest party in the German parliament. Yet,
Hitler could not use it for anything. He refused to
join any coalition government unless he became
chancellor, and President Hindenburgh refused
to appoint him.
1933 Hitler finally became chancellor on 30th January,
after von Papen persuaded president
Hindenburgh to appoint him, by arguing that
“Hitler could be controlled”.
In February, the Reichstag building was burned
down. Hitler used it as an excuse to issue a
decree that allowed for the arrest of political
opponents (e.g. communists)
March election gave the Nazis 44% of the votes.
23 March: Hitler manipulated the Reichstag to
vote for the ‘Enabling Act’, which transferred full
power to the chancellor, so Hitler could rule as a
dictator. Only the Social-democratic party voted
against the law which constituted a “legal
revolution”.