Hello.

Welcome to History, here at Oak National Academy.

My name is Mr. Newton, and I'll be your teacher today guiding you through the entire lesson.

Right.

Let's get started.

Imagine you are living in a country that has just suffered a devastating war.

Your economy is in ruins, jobs are scarce, and many people feel betrayed by their leaders.

The future seems uncertain, and in times of crisis, new political movements emerge, each promising to restore national pride and rebuild society.

What kind of leader do people turn to in desperate times like these? In this topic, we will use our big inquiry question: why were the NSDAP so unsuccessful before 1929? This question will guide our investigation into the early development of the Nazi Party.

We'll explore how Adolf Hitler, once an unknown soldier and failed artist, entered politics, shaped the NSDAP, and attempted to turn it into a major political force.

Today we'll explore how Adolf Hitler found his way into politics and transformed the small Germans Workers' Party into what would later become the NSDAP, the Nazi Party.

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to describe the early development of the NSDAP.

Before we begin, there are a few key words that we need to understand.

Pan-Germanism is a nationalist idea in which all ethnic Germans or German-speaking people should unite under one German nation.

A socialist is a supporter of left-wing beliefs that state that all people are equal and should share equally in a country's money.

And Volkisch, meaning of the people.

It came to be linked to extreme German nationalism and Germanic racial awareness Antisemitism is hate directed at Jewish people, or cruel or unfair treatment of people because they're Jewish.

And finally, propaganda is information or ideas that are spread with the intention of influencing people's opinions, or in other words, media that is designed to promote a particular political agenda.

Today's lesson is split into two parts.

In the first part, we will establish how Adolf Hitler entered politics and the key events that shaped his early political career.

Before moving on to the second part of the lesson, where will examine how the Nazi Party began to grow, how Hitler transformed it into a more organised movement.

Right, let's begin the lesson with an exploration of Hitler's early political career.

Take a look at this photograph from 1900.

Among the many young boys in this image, one in particular stands out, circled in the top right.

This is Adolf Hitler at around 11 years.

At this point in his life, he was just another student attending school in Austria with no clear signs of the infamous figure he would later become.

10 years later in 1910, Adolf Hitler was a failed artist drifting through life in Vienna, the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

At this time, Hitler was a lonely and unknown young man drifting through life.

His dream had been to become an artist, but when he took the entrance exam to the Academy of Fine Arts, he failed.

He made his living through painting postcards, and the city around him was alive with energy, yet Hitler felt like an outsider.

Vienna was the capital of the Austro-Hungarian empire and was home to numerous ethnic groups, including Germans, Hungarians, Czech, and Serbs.

And the Austro-Hungarian empire faced growing nationalists movements as various ethnic communities sought to break away and form independent nation states.

Hitler was particularly drawn to Pan-Germanism, which promoted the idea that all ethnic Germans should be united in a single nation state.

Disillusioned with Austria's multinational character and harbouring strong hostility towards Jews and Slavs, Hitler left for Germany in 1913, settling in Munich, seeing himself as German rather than Austrian.

Okay, let's have a check for understanding.

What was one reason Hitler moved from Austria to Germany in 1913? A, he supported Pan-Germanism and rejected Austria's multinational identity, B, he was inspired by Austria's diverse ethnic communities, C, he was invited to join the Academy of Fine Arts.

Pause the video.

Have a think, and then come right back.

Okay.

Welcome back.

And well done if you knew that one reason that Hitler moved from Austria to Germany was because he supported Pan-Germanism and rejected Austria's multinational identity.

Okay, let's continue.

So shortly after moving to Munich, in 1914 came the First World War.

Hitler eagerly enlisted for the war.

This was a chance to prove himself.

For Hitler, the war had been more than a duty.

It was a calling, a mission to secure Germany's greatness.

Let's take a look at this photograph.

It shows a group of German soldiers during the First World War.

And this might seem like a casual moment, but these men were fighting in one of the deadliest conflicts in history.

Adolf Hitler is circled.

At this stage in his life, he was not a political figure but an ordinary soldier working as a frontline messenger.

During the war, he was awarded the Iron Cross for valour, a rare honour for someone of his low rank.

However, Germany's defeat in 1918 shattered him.

And these wartime experiences and the resulting defeat became a defining moment for him and many other Germans.

These soldiers were shocked by the news that their once powerful Kaiser had abdicated his throne and a new republic had been declared.

These soldiers felt betrayed, stabbed in the back by the signing of the armistice, then humiliated by the Treaty of Versailles, which stripped Germany of its status as a global power.

Like thousands of other disillusioned soldiers, Hitler returned home to a chaotic and unstable post-war Germany struggling to make sense of the nation's humiliation.

This situation pushed many people toward right-wing nationalist groups, which promised to restore Germany's strength and pride.

In the wake of the Kaiser's abdication, new political movements emerged, each claiming they could rebuild Germany.

Take a close look at this photograph.

We see an urban street, but it's not peaceful.

There are overturned carts and debris forming a barricade, and we can see people standing around and an air of tension.

This is Dusseldorf in Germany in the aftermath of the First World War, and what you're seeing is a communist street barricade.

This scene reflects the chaos Germany faced after the abdication of the Kaiser in 1918.

With the old monarchy gone, Germany was in turmoil.

Many different political groups, communists, socialists, nationalists, competed to shape the country's future.

Some like the communists wanted a revolution similar to what had happened in Russia.

Others, like the emerging right-wing nationalist movements sought to restore Germany's pride and military strength.

These groups often clashed in the streets, leading to violence and instability.

Amid this unrest, Adolf Hitler was living in Munich, watching as radical movements from both the left and right fought for control.

In the spring of 1919, communists seized control of Munich.

Though the uprising was swiftly crushed, political extremism remained a serious threat to the fragile new Weimar Republic.

Still working for the military in an intelligence and propaganda role, Hitler was given a new mission, to attend meetings of a political group in Munich to assess whether it posed a threat or whether it could be useful in the fight against communism.

This was the German Workers' Party, or DAP.

A small party, founded in early 1919 by Anton Drexler.

The DAP combined Pan-Germanism nationalism with socialist ideas.

In other words, ideas from both the left and the right, aiming to draw the working class away from communism.

However, these ideas had been distorted into dangerous extremes, as was common among many radical parties at the time.

The party promoted Volkisch beliefs, which held that the German people were a special race destined to reclaim their ancestral greatness through racial purity.

This message resonated with Hitler.

Initially an observer, he soon became an active participant contributing to discussions at party meetings.

Have a look at this illustration.

We can see a small gathering of men listening attentively, as Hitler gestures passionately while speaking.

The setting likely a small beer hall or pub highlights just how small and obscure the German Workers' Party was at this stage.

Yet, through these intimate meetings, Hitler's powerful speeches began transforming the party into a growing political force.

Almost immediately, Hitler's ability to captivate audiences with his impassioned speeches became apparent.

He joined the party in September, 1919 and soon put in charge of recruitment and propaganda.

Hitler's arrival marked the beginning of the party's transformation, from a small disorganised party into a movement with growing appeal.

In February, 1920, under Hitler's influence, the German Workers' Party rebranded itself as the National Socialist German Workers' Party, NSDAP, or as it would later be known, the Nazi Party.

Okay, let's have a check for understanding.

Why did Hitler initially attend meetings at the German Workers' Party, DAP? A, he accidentally attended a meeting while looking for work, B, he was assigned by the army to investigate the political group, C, he was invited by Anton Drexler to be a speaker at their meetings.

Pause the video.

Have a think, and then come right back.

Okay, welcome back, and well done if you knew the correct answer was B.

Yes, Hitler attended those German Workers' Party meetings 'cause he was assigned by the army to investigate the political group.

Okay, let's have another check.

Which two of the following were key beliefs of the German Workers' Party when Hitler first encountered it? A, the democracy was the best system for rebuilding Germany, B, that Germany should adopt communist policies to support workers, C, that Pan-Germanism nationalism and socialism could be combined to appeal to workers, D, that the German people were a special race destined for greatness.

Pause the video, select your two correct answers, and then come right back.

Okay, welcome back.

And well done if you knew the correct answers were C, that Pan-Germanism nationalism and socialism could be combined to appeal to workers, and D, that the German people were a special race destined for greatness.

Okay, what I want you to do now is complete the sentence with the correct missing word.

So in February, 1920, under Hitler's influence, the German Workers' Party rebranded itself as the National Socialist German Workers' Party, NSDAP, or as it would later be known, the blank party.

So pause the video, fill in the blank, and then come right back.

Okay, welcome back.

Let's see how that sentence should have read.

In February, 1920, under Hitler's influence, the German Workers' Party rebranded itself as the National Socialist German Workers' Party, NSDAP, or as it would later be known, the Nazi Party.

Okay, let's continue.

So with its new identity, the Nazi Party needed a clear message that could appeal to both nationalists and working class sentiments.

In February, 1920, Hitler and other party leaders wrote and published the Nazis core beliefs in the 25-point Programme.

Essentially, this was a political manifesto outlining the goals and beliefs of the Nazi Party.

While the programme contained some economic policies aimed at workers, it primarily emphasised nationalist ideals, aligning the party more closely with the broader right-wing opposition to the Weimar Republic.

Okay, so let's have a look at the core points of the 25-point Programme.

So one of the main points was Nazis wanted the abolition of the Treaty of Versailles.

The Treaty of Versailles was deeply unpopular in Germany and many Germans saw it as an unfair humiliation, blaming it for economic hardship, military restrictions, and the loss of territory.

So by promising to abolish it, the Nazis were tapping into a powerful sense of national resentment and pride.

This message particularly appealed to war veterans and nationalists and those struggling under economic difficulties caused by the treaty's harsh reparations.

Another core point of the 25-point Programme was that the Nazis wanted the union of all Germans in a Greater Germany.

And again, this was a direct appeal to nationalists.

The Nazis wanted to unite all ethnic Germans, especially those living outside Germany, such as in Austria and part of Czechoslovakia.

And they wanted these Germans to be united into a single powerful nation.

For many Germans, this idea was exciting as it suggested restoring the strength and dignity Germany had lost when it was a more powerful nation and empire before the First World war.

And another core point of the programme was that the Nazis wanted land and territory or colonies to feed the German people.

The Nazis argued that Germany needed more living space, or in German, this was called Lebensraum.

And they argued that they needed this land to support its growing population.

However, it's also implied expansionism and future conflict, as it meant taking land from other nations.

Okay, let's move on to the next point.

So the Nazis wanted non-German immigration to be banned.

The Nazi Party promoted the idea that Germany should be a state for ethnic Germans only.

This policy played into fears that outsiders were taking jobs and resources.

It also reflected their wider racial ideology or their ideas that were becoming more extreme within the party.

These kinds of ideas appealed to supporters who blamed Germany's problems on foreign influence, which leads into the next points, that the Nazis wanted Jews to be stripped of their rights and citizenship.

They also wanted Jewish people to be excluded from controlling newspapers.

Newspapers were a form of media the Nazis saw as crucial in shaping public opinion.

So concede then that this is where the Nazi Party's racial ideology became explicit.

They falsely portrayed Jewish people as enemies of Germany, blaming them for economic hardship, communism, and even Germany's defeat in the First World War.

This dangerous scapegoating played on existing antisemitic prejudices and was designed to unite people against a common enemy.

Another core point of the 25-point Programme was that the Nazis wanted a strong central state power for the German people.

The Weimar Republic was seen as weak and unstable with frequent government changes and political violence.

The Nazis promised a strong decisive leadership that would restore order and national pride.

This idea appealed to those who felt Germany had been weakened by democracy and wanted to return to the authoritarian rule they had enjoyed under Kaiser.

And the next point here is that the Nazis wanted government control over businesses and industries.

And this shows the more left-wing ideology coming into the Nazi Party.

And this is 'cause the Nazi Party had a socialist element to them and wanted to support workers.

They promoted state control over major industries to serve the goals of the country as a whole to serve nationalist goals.

This idea appealed to struggling workers and middle-class citizens who wanted stability, but it also reassured businesses that the Nazis would prevent a communist revolution.

And finally, the Nazis wanted support for workers and old-age pensioners.

And again, this point was designed to attract the working class who were suffering from high unemployment and poverty.

By promising better wages, pensions and welfare support, the Nazis made themselves seem like a party that cared about ordinary people.

Okay, let's have a check for understanding.

True or false.

The Nazi Party's 25-point Programme only included one idea, the abolition of the Treaty of Versailles.

Is that true or false? Pause the video.

Have a think and then come right back.

Okay.

Welcome back.

And well done if you knew that statement was false.

But why was that false? I want you to justify your answer.

So pause the video, have a think about why that was false, and then come right back.

Okay.

Welcome back.

And well done if you knew that a statement was false because the Nazis programme included multiple ideas with the aim of appealing to nationalists and working class sentiments.

For example, the exclusion of Jews from Germans citizenship rights, and the unification of all ethnic Germans into one nation.

Okay, great.

Let's move on to task A.

And what I want you to do here is discuss the factors that influenced Hitler's early political career and the birth of the Nazi Party.

So you could have this as a discussion or you could jot down some bullet points on a piece of paper.

So pause the video, have a go at the task, and then come right back.

Okay, great.

Welcome back and well done for having a go at that task.

So there's many things that you may have discussed or have written down on a paper, but let's go through some possible answers together.

So firstly, when discussing Hitler's early political career, you might have mentioned that Hitler identified more strongly as German than Austrian, and that he resented Austria's multi-ethnic society and embraced Pan-Germanism, believing all ethnic Germans should unite in one nation.

You might have mentioned that Germany's defeat in World War I in 1918 deeply affected Hitler as he felt betrayed and humiliated.

This pushed him to toward right during nationalist movements and drove his commitment to restore Germany's strength and pride.

And you might have talked about the fact that communist briefly seized control of Munich where Hitler lived.

And this event strengthened his fear of left-wing extremism and convinced him that radical right-wing movements were necessary to restore order to combat communism, in other words.

You might have mentioned that during Hitler's military mission to monitor DAP meetings, he was drawn to their Volkisch and antisemitic ideas, and that eventually his participation in the meetings marked the start of his political career.

He might have said that Hitler's powerful public speaking skills allowed him to captivate audiences.

The DAP put him in charge of recruitment and propaganda, and as his speeches helped grow the party.

And finally, you might have mentioned that under Hitler's influence, the DAP rebranded as NSDAP, the Nazi Party, and that their 25-point Programme outlined their core beliefs attempting to appeal to nationalists, socialists, and working class supporters.

For example, abolishing the Treaty of Versailles, uniting Germans, expanding Lebensraum, or living space, creating a strong central state and supporting workers and old-age pensioners.

Great, now that we have established how Hitler's early experiences shaped his political beliefs and gave him a platform, we can now move on to the second part of our lesson, the early growth of the Nazi Party.

So Hitler's growing influence was transforming the NSDAP into a dominant political force.

In January, 1920, the Nazi Party established its first official headquarters in Munich.

And by March of that year, Hitler had been discharged from the army and had developed into a highly effective speaker, drawing ever larger crowds through his speeches.

Hitler's keen eye for propaganda helped the Nazi movement stand out from other political groups.

As his powerful speeches drew larger crowds, party membership surged, attracting financial backers as well.

This growing support provided the funds to purchase a newspaper, allowing the Nazis to spread their message more effectively.

Their propaganda efforts expanded with large public meetings, often held in beer halls.

These are like large pubs.

These meetings were advertised through poster campaigns.

Let's examine this photograph.

We can see a truck filled with uniform Nazi supporters and paramilitary members, and the truck is displaying banners with antisemitic slogans.

Trucks like these were adorned with striking red banners and they would roam the streets of Munich.

While Nazi activists distributed leaflets to attract new supporters, Hitler introduced the swastika in bold red banners, creating a strong recognisable party identity.

Here we get a sense of the impact a Nazi Party could have in Munich.

The uniformed men commanding for respect and projected a feeling of organisation, creating a sense of unity and order, something that appealed to those longing for stability after years of economic and political chaos.

The bold reds of their flags and banners along with striking symbols like the swastika were carefully designed to grab attention and leave a lasting impression.

For many Germans, this scene projected an image of strength and national pride.

The highly organised and confident appearance of the Nazi supporters made the movement seem like a force capable of restoring order and taking decisive action.

In July, 1921, Hitler successfully overthrew Anton Drexler as party leader.

To strengthen his grip over the party, he expelled his rivals and placed loyal allies in key positions.

Take a look at this photograph.

We can see the most influential figures in the Nazi movements.

Of course, we can see Adolf Hitler on the left, and next to him was Hermann Goring, a decorated First World War fighter pilot who Hitler appointed commander of the Nazi paramilitary force.

The Sturmabteilung, or the SA.

Goring's military background gave the Nazis a sense of credibility and discipline, making them appear more organised and authoritative.

And here we can see Rudolph Hess, a wealthy academic, who Hitler appointed to oversee fundraising and administration.

Hess was one of Hitler's most devoted followers, later helping shape party policies.

Okay, let's have a check for understanding.

How did Hitler influence and grow the NSDAP in its early years? Select three correct answers.

A, he abolished Treaty of Versailles, gaining nationwide support, B, he became a highly-effective public speaker, attracting large crowds, C, he helped the party purchase a newspaper to reach more people, D, he used propaganda including posters, banners, and leaflets to spread Nazi ideas.

Pause the video, select your three correct answers, and then come right back.

Okay, welcome back, and well done if you knew the correct answers were B, he became a highly effective public speaker, attracting large crowds, C, Hitler helped the party purchase a newspaper to reach more people, and D, he used propaganda including posters, banners, and leaflets to spread Nazi ideas.

Okay, let's continue.

So while the Nazi Party ideas were gaining traction, its political battles were not fought with words alone.

Germany's postwar years were marked by street violence between radical groups, and Hitler understood that survival in this climate required muscle.

In October, 1921, he helped create the SA, or Stormtroopers, a paramilitary wing of the Nazi Party.

The SA was made up of ex-soldiers, disaffected youth, and men drawn to the promise of order through violence.

The SA were known as the Brownshirts due to their uniforms and they were often armed.

Let's take a look at this 1938 Nazi propaganda painting.

It depicts two members of the SA dressed in their distinctive brown shirt uniforms. Notice the way that these men are portrayed, strong, disciplined, and determined.

The artist has used bold, heroic imagery to make the SA seem noble and powerful.

The positioning of the flag in the background reinforces a sense of loyalty to the Nazi cause, while their clenched fists and rigid postures suggests action, strength, and readiness for battle.

Propaganda like this was designed to glorify the SA and appeal to young men looking for purpose, belonging, and strength during a time of economic and political instability.

By presenting the SA as patriotic defenders of Germany, the Nazi Party made violence seem justifiable and even honourable.

The SA had a dual role.

They protected Nazi meetings from left-wing opponents who sought to interrupt them while simultaneously breaking up their political opponents' meetings, particularly communists and socialists.

Their presence gave the Nazi Party a sense of strength and discipline that appealed to those who longed for a return to Germany's former power.

In just a few years, Hitler had transformed himself from an unknown soldier into the leader of a growing extremist party.

Yet the Nazis remained a small movement with their influence largely confined to Munich and Bavaria.

Hitler's next move would be even bolder.

Germany and the world had not yet seen the full extent of his ambition.

Okay, let's have a check.

Complete the sentence with the correct missing word.

In 1921, Hitler helped create the Sturmabteilung, SA, or blank, a paramilitary wing of the Nazi Party.

Pause the video, fill in the blank, and then come right back.

Okay.

Welcome back.

Let's see how that sentence should have read.

In 1921, Hitler helped create the Sturmabteilung, or SA, or Stormtroopers, a paramilitary wing of the Nazi Party, And you could have also got points for putting Brownshirts.

Okay, let's have another check.

What were three key roles of the SA in the early years of the Nazi Party? A, attacking and disrupting communist and socialist meetings, B, creating a sense of strength and discipline within the Nazi Party, C, organising elections and promoting democracy, D, protecting Nazi meetings from political opponents.

Pause the video, select your three key roles, and then come right back.

Okay, welcome back.

And well done if you knew the three key roles of the SA were A, attacking and disrupting communist and socialist meetings, B, creating a sense of strength and discipline within the Nazi Party, and D, protecting Nazi meetings from political proponents.

Okay, great.

Let's move on to the first part of task B.

What I want you to do here is, starting with the earliest, sort these events into time order.

And you can see I've given you four events in a jumbled order.

So you need to place these four events into the correct chronological order.

Pause the video, put the events in the correct time order, and then come right back.

Okay, welcome back.

And well done for having a go at that task.

So the correct time order for those events was that Hitler joined the German Workers' Party, the DAP first, and then the Nazi Party published 25-Point Programme outlining their core beliefs, and then Hitler overthrows Anton Drexel's party leader becoming the leader of the Nazi Party.

And then Hitler goes on to create the SA, the Stormtroopers, or Brownshirts.

Okay, great.

Let's move on to the final part of task B.

So what I want you to do here is to read this historical fiction.

So this is historical fiction was informed by source material from the time, and it reflects the experience of a young SA recruit shortly before joining.

"Horst stood outside the beer hall, watching as the Brownshirts marched past.

They moved with swagger and purpose, arms linked in comradeship.

Behind them, red banners emblazoned with swastikas snapped in the wind.

This was the Germany he wanted to be part of.

He had grown up in defeat.

The older men, the ones who had fought in the war, spoke endlessly of trenches, lost comrades, and the humiliation of Versailles.

But Horst was tired of their weariness.

He didn't want to hear about the past.

He wanted action, excitement, a Germany where men didn't dwell on losses, but took what they wanted with their fists.

Inside, the beer hall pulsed with energy.

Smoke curled toward the rafters, voices rumbled in anticipation.

As the leader's fiery speech reached its climax, the crowd erupted in cheers.

Horst, his heart pounding, fists clenched, felt tears sting his eyes." Okay, now that we've read that, what I want you to do is use the historical fiction and your own knowledge to explain the early development of the NSDAP.

So in other words, you're going to use your own knowledge and the historical fiction to help you to talk about the broader story about the early development of the NSDAP.

But to help you to do that, I want you to use the following structure.

So I want you to write three paragraphs, one on each of the following topics.

So your first paragraph will be about Germany's post-war crisis and Hitler's early political career.

Your second paragraph will be on Hitler's speeches and use of propaganda.

And your third paragraph will be on the establishments of the SA, the Sturmabteilung.

So pause the video, have a go at the task, and then come right back.

Okay, great.

Welcome back.

And well done for having a go at that task.

So there's many ways that you could have answered those questions, and your paragraphs may look slightly different from mine.

But let's have a read through the model paragraphs I have here, and you can see how yours match up.

So let's have a look at this first paragraph on Germany's post-war crisis and Hitler's early political career.

"The early development of the NSDAP was shaped by Germany's political and economic turmoil following the First World War.

The Treaty of Versailles humiliated Germany, causing widespread resentments, particularly among soldiers like Hitler.

As seen in the historical fiction, many young men grew up in a defeated nation where older generations dwelled on past losses.

This created a desire for action and change, which Hitler and the Volkisch German Workers' Party, DAP, capitalised on, tapping into notions of Pan-Germanism, antisemitism, and widespread fears of communism, especially after the Munich communist uprising of 1919.

By 1920, the party rebranded as the NSDAP and published the 25-point Programme outlining nationalist and socialist policies to appeal to a wide audience." Okay, great.

So remember, that's a model answer.

So you may not have mentioned everything that's in that paragraph, but hopefully you've covered one or two of those points there.

Right, let's look at the paragraph focusing on Hitler's speeches and propaganda.

"One of the main reasons for the NSDAPs early growth was Hitler's ability to deliver powerful speeches.

The historical fiction describes the speech's impact on Horst, showing how Nazi events created emotional excitement among young people.

Hitler's speeches made his audience feel like part of a movement to rebuild Germany's greatness.

His growing influence within the party led to him taking over as leader, allowing him to instal loyal allies in key positions.

Propaganda played a key role in spreading Nazi ideas.

Hitler ensured the party had a clear identity using symbols such as the swastika and bold red banners to create a sense of unity and strength.

Additionally, the purchase of a Nazi newspaper and the use of poster campaigns helped the party spread its message to a wider audience, increasing support." Okay, let's look at the final paragraph, the creation of the SA.

"As the Nazi Party grew, Hitler recognised the need for a strong paramilitary force to protect its meetings and intimidate opponents.

The SA, also known as the Stormtroopers or Brownshirts, was formed in 1921.

The historical fiction reflects the appeal of the SA's disciplined, militaristic image, describing how the men marched with swagger and purpose.

Many young recruits, like Horst, were drawn to its sense of strength and action, rejecting the older generations' defeatist attitudes.

The SA also played a key role in Nazi propaganda by giving the party a visible presence on the streets, breaking up rival meetings, and spreading fear among political opponents.

Their use of violence made the NSDAP appear strong and determined, attracting more followers who wanted to restore Germany's power.

Okay, great.

Let's summarise today's lesson, the early development of the NSDAP.

Hitler rejected Austria's multi-ethnic society, embracing Pan-Germanism and the idea that all ethnic Germans should unite under one nation, a key belief in Volkisch ideology.

After Germany's humiliating 1918 defeat, he joined the DAP, which later rebranded to the NSDAP, publishing the 25-point Programme, which combined nationalists, socialists, and antisemitic policies to broaden support.

Hitler's powerful propaganda efforts made the NSDAP more appealing, helping it grow by tapping into fears of communism and national decline.

When Hitler became leader, he installed loyal allies in key positions and set up the SA, which gave the Nazi Party a militaristic and disciplined image, intimidating opponents while attracting young men, eager for action." Well done on a brilliant lesson, and we've now explored the early rise of the Nazis and seen how extremist movements can gain traction in times of crisis.

However, at this stage, the Nazis remain a small fringe movement far from achieving national power.

Next time we'll continue our inquiry by asking, why were the NSDA be so unsuccessful before 1929.

See you then.