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WWI Ends
World War 1 ends with 39 million casualties. The Germans were not prepared for their loss and felt that their pride was injured. The leaders responsible for the loss of Germany claimed that they were "stabbed in the back" by it's left wing politicians and Jews. -
The German Workers Party
Adolf Hitler joins the German Workers Party in 1919 and quickly rises through the ranks to leadership with his emotional speeches condemning the Jews. -
The Nazi Party
Hitler changes the name of the party to the National Socialist German Workers party, called the Nazi Party for short. A year later he is elected Fuhrer or official leader -
The Beer Hall Putsch
Hitler attempts to overthrow the local authorities in Munich and fails. The Nazi Party's leaders are jailed and charged with high treason. But Hitler uses the courtroom at his trial to generate propaganda by ranting against the Weimar government. This gets the right-wing judges to sympathize with him and give him a light sentence. -
Mein Kampf
While in prison Hitler writes volume one of his book Mein Kampf which sets the base for the Nazi Party's beliefs and practices. -
The Resurrection of the Nazi Party
After being released from prison he formally resurrects the Nazi Party and works his way through Nazi Party politics and emerges the sole leader. -
Reichstag Elections
The Nazi Party does poorly in the Reichstag elections so they decide to change their strategy from cities to small rural towns. -
The Great Depression
Unemployment doubles from 3 million to 6 million. This causes the existing "Great Coalition" government to collapse while arguing about rising unemployment benefit costs. -
The New Government
Paul von Hindenburg the Reich President creates a new government that rules using emergency decrees instead of laws passed by the Reichstag. -
Elections
During the elections the Nazi Party have an important victory getting 18.3% of the vote to make it the 2nd largest party in the Reichstag. -
The Nazi Party gets Power
Hindenburg's term as president is nearing an end. He is reluctant to run again but knows that if he doesn't Hitler will win. Hindenburg wins the election, but Hitler receives 37% of the vote. Later in the elections for seats in the Reichstag the Nazi Party wins 37% of the seats thanks to their propaganda campaign.