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The Beer Hall Putsch
The Nazi Party's first attempt to overthrow the national government. Ended in failure when the military and other paramilitary groups mobilized against the Nazis. Hitler would be arrested and sentenced to prison time while his party would be banned, but not disbanded, until 1925 and Hitler's release from prison. -
Period: to
Rise of Nazism
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Dawes Plan
The Dawes Plan was an attempt by the Allied Reperation Commission to find a way to ensure the German government would be able to continue making payments. The plan called for the removal of Allied troops in the Ruhr regions, lowering of payment amounts, and a loan to the German government. It was only a quick fix and was replace in 1929 by the Young Plan. -
Federal Election of 1928
Social Democrats increase their share of the vote while the far-right of Germany falls behind.Nazis gained only 12 seats, but the dissatisfaction with other right-wing parties lead to the Nazi Party becoming the "go-to" far-right party for future elections. -
The Stock Market Crash
The U.S. Stock Market crashes which triggers a global depression on an unprecedented scale. Germany, which had become reliant on American loans to pay its war reperations and other debts, suffered greatly. Unemployment and inflation skyrocketed and any recovery from WWI was halted. -
Horst Wessel Killed
A leader of a group of a SA troop in Berlin who was, according to the Nazis, was murdered in his home by a communist thug. His death was used as a rallying force for Nazis and other right-wing groups and he became a martyr for the movement. The song written by him became the official song of the Nazi Party. -
Bruening becomes Chancellor, Hindeburg Uses Emergency Powers
Heinrich Bruening of the Catholic Center Party (Zentrum) becomes Chancellor and promises to solve Germany's economic woes. He persuades President Hindenburg to use his power of emergency decree to pass initiatives. When his supporters refuse to support him, Bruening dissolves the Reichstag and sets new elections for September 1930. -
Federal Election of 1930
The Nazi Party, following the shock of the Stock Market Crash, becomes the second largest party in the Reichstag with 107 seats, second to the Social Democrats' 143 seats. Chancellor Bruening no longer conrols a majority in the federal diet. -
Unemployment Reaches 5 Million
The German unemployment levels reach 5 million in the wake of the continuing depression. -
National Ban on Public Political Demonstrations
German government bans all public political demonstrations in order to prevent violence in the streets, especially between the Left and Right radicals. The Nazis adhere to the ban. -
Hitler Runs for Reich President
As President Hiindenburg's term was about to expire, Hitler announces that he will run against him for president. As part of his bid, Hitler tirelessly campaigned around Germany. "Hitler over Germany" saw the first modern race where a candidate canvassed around the country in an airplane, reaching a huge amount of voters. Hitler would lose, but his 37% against Hindenburg's 53% was considered a victory. The extra campaigning by Hitler helped to spread the message of the his party. -
SA and SS Banned by Bruening Government
Chancellor Bruening, thinking his government could successfully deal with radicals of Germany, bans public demonstrations by uniformed groups, which includes the SA and SS of the Nazi Party. Hitler calls for the SA to not fight back, but other groups outside of the Nazi Party, like the Stahlhelm, resisted and felt slighted because of their service in WWI. -
Ban on SA and SS Lifted
The ban on the paramilitary groups within the Nazi Party was lifted. It was again legal for these groups to gather in full uniform, which led to increased violence and street battles between them and communist groups. -
Federal Election of July 1932
The election of July 1932 saw the Nazis bring in 230 seats in the Reichstag, increasing theier political power. The previous presidential election had aided the Nazis in canvassing the whole of Germany. Following this outcome, Hitler requests to be named Chancellor, but Hindenburg refused despite the Nazis holding the most seats in the Reichstag. -
Federal Election November 1932
The second election of the year was caused by the downfall of Chancellor Franz von Papen. General Kurt von Schleicher convinvced Hindenburg to dissolve the Reichstag for new elections with him as Chancellor. The Nazis, due to improving conditions and electoral fatigue, lost votes, coming in with 33.1%, lower than July's 37.4%. -
Papen Begins Talks with Hitler over the Chancellorship
With the government under von Schleicher failing to live up to its promises, former Chancellor Franz von Papen begins discussion with Hitler to find a way to ensure his party's participation in the government. Hitler demands the chancellorship and several key cabinet posts, including the Interior and Defense Ministries. -
Schleicher Senses His Downfall
Chancellor Schleicher informs Hindeburg of an impending vote of no confidence in his government on January 31, 1933. He requests the dissolution of the Reichstag and for later elections, but Hindenburg refuses. Hindenburg wishes to appoint von Papen to the chancellorship once again, but this would surely fail. Von Papen pushes for an arrangement for a Hitler-led government. -
Hitler Becomes Chancellor
Franz von Papen finally convinces President Hindenburg to appoint a Hitler-led government. All but two of the cabinet posts, inlcuding the Ministry of the Interior as wel as the Minister of the Interior of Prussiia, would be conservatives. The previously menetioned two posts were vital in giving control over the Prussian police to the Nazis. -
Reichstag Dissolved
Hindenburg dissolves the Reichstag to have fresh elections following the creation of the new Hitler Chancellory. Elections were set for March. -
Reichstag Fire
In the middle of the night, the Reichstag catches on fire and is gutted. A young Dutch communist, Marinus van der Lubbe, was arrested in connection to the arson. The Nazis use this event to arrest many of the communist delegatest of the Reichstag -
Reichstag Fire Decree
The "Decree for the Protection of People and State" was drafted and promulgated the day after the Reichstag Fire, which gave Hitler and his government the power to arrest individuals and search houses at will, take over state governments, and enact "measures for the restoration of public security." This was used to reduce the power of communist politicians. -
Federal Election of March 1933
The first election under Hitler's chancellorship and the last free election of the Nazi period. The Nazis, following the issues with the Reichstag fire and recent stability, were able to increase their share of seats to 288 seats. This was still not the majority needed for passing of legislation without support from other parties, but the following ban of the Communist Party and the support of the Zentrum allowed the passage of the Enabling Act later in March. -
Enabling Act
With the Communists banned and support from the Zentrum, the Nazis gain the majority needed to pass the Enabling Act, which gave Hitler the power to rule by decree independently of the Reichstag or President. By passing an act through the Reichstag, the facade of a "legal revolution" was maintained. This began the process of establishing the single-party state and the Nazi takeover of power.
