The Weakness of the Nazi Party in the 1920s

The Weakness of the Nazi Party in the 1920s

During the years 1924 to 1928 Germany enjoyed a period of relative

economic prosperity and political and social stability. Stresemann and

Schachts work at rebuilding the economy with the Rentenmark had had

good effect, and the Dawes Plan allowed the annual repayments to be

reduced. Prices were stable and relatively low which meant that German

society was stable, because of this there seemed to be no room for

extremist political views and people tended to vote more toward centre

parties such as the SPD. At this time the Nazi Party had been

officially dissolved, and without Hitler (who was in prison for his

part in the Munich Putsch) as head begun to break up into warring

factions. Several former Nazis had made alliances with other

right-wing Parties who contested the 1924 election, ten of whom got

into the Reichstag, making Hitler fume at their betrayal.

When Hitler was released from prison Germany was much more stable than

it had been when he had been sentenced which meant that there was

considerably less scope for extremist views to cause upheaval, even

when presented by a gifted speaker like Hitler. The Party had

disintegrated under Rosenberg's leadership and the Party was no longer

a credible force in Germany. In 1926 Hitler called the Bamberg

Conference, this was something of a gamble, as he wanted to restore

the Party's unity and agree a future programme, yet he did not want to

encourage those who wanted a more socialist regime. He stage-managed

the proceedings. Bamberg was chosen to hold the meeting because it was

the centre of nationalistic Germany, and the majority of local people

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...d the Party rifts. The 1928 election

showed increased support for the Party, with the Nazis gaining 12

seats.

Although the 12 seats of the May 1928 election was nothing compared to

the

Social Democrats majority of 153 seats it definitely showed that the

Party's new tactics and propaganda was working, that the foundations

for future success had been laid. If the Wall Street crash had not

occurred in October 1929 it is difficult to make judgement over

whether the Nazis would still have gained power in a stable

environment. However, it was fortuitous for Hitler that the crash did

occur because society was ready for any answer to its problems. The

extremist views, the answers to questions and blame the Nazis laid on

the Weimar Republic was just the solution wanted by the Germans, and

allowed Hitler to gain power.