The Lean Years, 1924 to 1929

What was done to reorganise the Nazi Party?

The Nazi Party underwent many changes between 1924 and 1929 when Hitler relaunched it after his release from prison. Hitler used his ideas in 'Mein Kampf' as a blueprint of how to change the party.

When did the Nazi Party reorganise under Hitler?

The Nazi Party was relaunched officially on 27th February, 1925.

Why was the Nazi Party reorganised by Hitler between 1924 and 1929?

Hitler changed and reorganised the Nazi Party for 2 key reasons:

• ❖ To create a party that could appeal to the electorate and win seats in the Reichstag.
• ❖ To turn the Nazi Party into a party that was active throughout Germany and not just Bavaria.

What was reorganised in the Nazi Party by Hitler between 1924 and 1929?

The following 6 areas were re-organised or changed during 1924 to 1929:

• ❖ The headquarters.
• ❖ The structure of the Nazi Party across Germany.
• ❖ The creation of the SS.
• ❖ The party finances.
• ❖ Propaganda.
• ❖ The SA.

How did the Nazi Party reorganise their headquarters under Hitler?

The Nazi Party's headquarters were reorganised in 2 ways:

• ❖ Franz Schwarz was appointed party treasurer to improve the finances of the party.
• ❖ Philipp Bouhler became party secretary to improve the organisation of the party.

How did the Nazi Party reorganise the party structure under Hitler?

The structure of the Nazi Party was changed in 5 key ways:

• ❖ The Nazi Party was organised into different departments, such as a department for industry, with a different person in charge.
• ❖ The Nazi Student League was established - it included the Hitler Youth to attract the younger generation.
• ❖ A women's section was created, called the German Women's Order, to appeal to women.
• ❖ The Nazi Party was organised into 35 different regions across Germany, called a Gau. Each Gau was supposed to have a leader, or Gauleiter.
• ❖ A Teachers' League was created in 1929 to appeal to teachers.

How did the Nazi Party reorganise the party finances under Hitler?

The Nazi Party raised money from wealthy businessmen such as Krupp, Bosch and Thyssen. This helped finance an increase in propaganda.

How did the Nazi Party reorganise propaganda under Hitler?

The Nazis used different forms of propaganda:

• ❖ Firstly, Hitler convinced Joseph Goebbels to join the party and he was then employed to revamp Nazi propaganda. Together they changed tactics and decided to appeal to the majority through several methods.
• ❖ They began to use up-to-date technology to broadcast their message. They used radio, cinema and films.
• ❖ They purchased more newspapers, so there were 120 daily or weekly Nazi newspapers by the 1930s.
• ❖ They organised mass rallies. They had one in Weimar in 1926 and then from 1927 onwards they were held in Nuremberg.

When did the Nazi party set up the SS under Hitler in its reorganisation?

The Schutzstaffel or SS was:

• ❖ Set up in 1925 as Hitler's personal bodyguard.
• ❖ Led by Heinrich Himmler.
• ❖ Membership increased to 3,000 members by 1930.

How did Hitler change the SA after 1924 during the reorganisation of the Nazi party?

The SA was changed in 3 main ways:

• ❖ The SA, or Sturmabteilung, was changed in 1925 as Röhm was replaced by Franz Pfeffer von Salomon as the leader of the SA until 1930.
• ❖ It was strengthened with more young men encouraged to join.
• ❖ Its image was improved, placing greater emphasis on discipline and order rather than violence and intimidation.

What were the results of the reorganisation of the Nazi party under Hitler?

There were 2 key results of the reorganisation of the Nazi Party between 1924 and 1929:

• ❖ They were better organised and were now present in all parts of Germany.
• ❖ They only managed to win 12 seats in May 1928, fewer seats than in the 1924 elections, because all extreme parties lost supporters as the Weimar Republic recovered.