New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

The early development of the NSDAP

I can describe the early development of the NSDAP.

New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

The early development of the NSDAP

I can describe the early development of the NSDAP.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Hitler's belief in Pan-Germanism and antisemitism grew in Vienna; it was later shaped by post-war Germany's instability.
  2. In 1919, Hitler joined the DAP, which later became the NSDAP promoting nationalism, Volkism and opposition to communism.
  3. The 25 Point Programme outlined Nazi core beliefs of reversing Versailles, uniting ethnic Germans and antisemitism.
  4. Hitler used his talent for public speaking and propaganda to attract supporters and spread his extremist ideology.
  5. The SA was a Nazi paramilitary force that protected meetings, attacked opponents and spread Nazi influence.

Keywords

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

  • Socialist - a supporter of left-wing beliefs that state that all people are equal and should share equally in a country's money

  • Völkisch - meaning ‘of the people’, it came to be linked to extreme German nationalism and Germanic racial awareness

  • Anti-semitic - hate or strong dislike of Jews, or actions that express hate or dislike of Jews

  • Propaganda - information or ideas that are spread with the intention of influencing people's opinions; media that is designed to promote a particular political agenda

Common misconception

Hitler's rise to power was purely due to his use of violence and intimidation.

While violence and intimidation played a role, Hitler’s personal appeal was a major factor in attracting support. He was a highly skilled public speaker and capable of delivering passionate speeches that resonated with many Germans.


To help you plan your year 11 history lesson on: The early development of the NSDAP, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Give pupils the lyrics of Horst Wessel Lied. Have them analyse how the song glorifies the SA, creates a sense of adventure and appeals to young recruits. Discuss how Wessel was turned into a martyr and how music can be a powerful propaganda tool.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Why did some critics view the Bauhaus movement as an attack on German identity?
It only accepted foreign students and refused to use German materials.
Correct answer: It rejected traditional German styles for an international modernist approach.
It was directly controlled by the Weimar government to spread propaganda.
Q2.
Match each term to its correct definition.
Correct Answer:culture war,disagreements about cultural and social beliefs between groups

disagreements about cultural and social beliefs between groups

Correct Answer:modernist,a movement embracing new artistic and cultural ideas

a movement embracing new artistic and cultural ideas

Correct Answer:degenerate,having lost the moral qualities considered normal and desirable

having lost the moral qualities considered normal and desirable

Q3.
Why did Berlin’s cabarets cause controversy in Weimar Germany?
Correct answer: They mocked traditional values and featured sexually provocative performances.
They refused to allow political figures or wealthy elites to attend.
They were only accessible to foreigners and banned German performers.
Q4.
Complete the sentence with the correct missing word: The was a German youth movement that rejected urban life in favour of nature.
Correct Answer: Wandervogel
Q5.
How did Weimar cinema influence future film genres?
by focusing only on historical films that had little international impact
by limiting female roles and discouraging independent female characters
Correct answer: by pioneering expressionist techniques that shaped horror and film noir
Q6.
Why was Marlene Dietrich an important figure in Weimar cinema?
Correct answer: She became an international star, known for portraying strong, independent women
She only played traditional roles that reinforced conservative values.
She was Germany’s first female film director.

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What was one reason Hitler moved from Austria to Germany in 1913?
Correct answer: He supported Pan-Germanism and rejected Austria’s multi-national identity.
He was inspired by Austria’s diverse ethnic communities.
he was invited to join the Academy of Fine Arts
Q2.
What was a key goal of the Twenty-Five Point Programme of the Nazi Party?
Correct answer: to abolish the Treaty of Versailles
to promote democracy and individual rights
to support communism and wealth redistribution
Q3.
What did the Völkisch movement believe?
that all ethnic groups should have equal rights in Germany
that democracy was the best form of government for Germany
Correct answer: that Germans were a special race destined for greatness
Q4.
Starting with the earliest, sort these events into chronological order.
1 - The German Workers’ Party (DAP) was founded.
2 - Hitler joined the DAP, assigned by the army to investigate the political group.
3 - The Nazi Party published the Twenty-Five Point Programme.
4 - Hitler became leader of the Nazi Party.
Q5.
Who founded the German Workers’ Party (DAP), which later became the Nazi Party?
Adolf Hitler
Correct answer: Anton Drexler
Hermann Göring
Rudolf Hess
Q6.
Complete the sentence with the correct missing word: The was created to protect Nazi meetings and attack left-wing opponents.
Correct Answer: Sturmabteilung, Brownshirts, SA, Stormtroopers

Additional material

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