Bamberg Conference, 1926

What was the Bamberg Conference?

The Bamberg Conference was a very important meeting that occurred while Hitler was reorganising the Nazi Party between 1924 and 1929. Hitler used the conference to establish total control over the Nazi Party.

When was the Bamberg Conference?

It was held on 14th February, 1926.

Where was the Bamberg Conference?

It was held in Bamberg in Bavaria. The location was important as it meant that mainly the southern party leaders attended.

Why was the Bamberg Conference held?

The Nazi Party was becoming increasingly divided between the north and south. The more industrial areas of the north wanted more socialist ideas to help the workers and were supported by Strasser and Goebbels. However, the southern areas, supported by Hitler, preferred more nationalist ideas.

What happened at the Bamberg Conference?

There were 2 main events:

• ❖ Hitler dominated the conferences. He made the northern 'socialist' members out to be communists who were the enemies of the Nazi Party.
• ❖ Hitler persuaded Goebbels to change his views so that he joined the party's nationalist wing.

What were the results of the Bamberg Conference?

There were two key results for the Nazi Party:

• ❖ Hitler was now in complete control of the Nazi Party as he had used the conference to put in place the 'Führerprinzip', or 'Leader Principle'. This meant that Hitler, as the party's leader, was in total control and party members must show total obedience to him.
• ❖ The socialist ideas of the Nazi Party were now no longer as important as its other ideas, such as nationalism.