Lesson 2 of 4: The Rise of Hitler - Hitler's Leadership Abilities In this lesson, we looked at the 2nd set of reasons leading to Hitler's rise, namely Hitler's own personality and leadership abilities. Having studied the circumstances in Germany, we now learnt about how Hitler took advantage of the situation to rise to power in Germany.

1. The Rise of Hitler

2. Primary Objective
WHO
(or WHAT)
was responsible for the rise of Hitler?

3. Chapter Overview
Circumstances in Germany
vs.
Hitler’s leadership abilities

4. Hitler’s leadership abilities
1. Persuasive Nazi ideology
2. Exploitation of the fears of communism
3. Charisma and oratorical skills
4. Reorganisation of the Nazi Party
5. Skilful political deals

5. Persuasive Nazi Ideology
Found in Hitler’s book, Mein Kampf
Belonged to the
political right
(fascist)

6. Persuasive Nazi Ideology
Nazi Ideology – Hitler’s Political Promises
• Abolition of the Treaty of Versailles
o Restore German territory back to pre-WWI
o Rebuild Germany’s military strength
o Reunite German speaking people into Germany
• Establishment of a strong central
government
• German territorial expansion (lebensraum)
into Poland & Russia

8. Germany
Poland
USSR

9. Persuasive Nazi Ideology
Nazi Ideology – Social
• Anti-Semitism
o Blamed the Jews for Germany’s problems
o Easy targets as many were wealthy and
successful
• Aryan superiority
o Aryans (blonde hair, blue eyes) were destined
to rule over other races

11. Hitler’s leadership abilities
1. Persuasive Nazi ideology
2. Exploitation of the fears of communism
3. Skilful political deals
4. Charisma and oratorical skills
5. Reorganisation of the Nazi Party

12. Exploitation of fears about
Communism
• Many wealthy Germans were afraid of
what was happening in the Soviet Union
• Collectivisation
• State control of businesses & industries
• Rich businessmen like Thyssen &
Hugenberg supported Hitler’s political
campaigns financially
• Hitler gave vague promises to help them
if he came to power

14. Hitler’s leadership abilities
1. Persuasive Nazi ideology
2. Exploitation of the fears of communism
3. Skilful political deals
4. Charisma and oratorical skills
5. Reorganisation of the Nazi Party

15. Charisma and Oratorical Skills

16. Charisma
and Oratorical Skills
• True orator*
• Practised his speeches
• Appeared energetic and sincere
• Beer hall speeches
• Made speeches in beer halls where people where inclined to
listen (probably because they were drunk…)
• Addressed the people’s concerns
• Used the Weimar govt, Jews & communists as scapegoats

17. Hitler’s leadership abilities
1. Persuasive Nazi ideology
2. Exploitation of the fears of communism
3. Charisma and oratorical skills
4. Reorganisation of the Nazi Party
5. Skilful political deals

18. Reorganisation of the Nazi
Party
• Hitler actually failed once before
o Arrested after Munich Putsch (‘uprising’) in Nov 1923
o Before the Great Depression, Nazi Party only won 3% of the
votes (see p.77)

19. Reorganisation of the Nazi
Party
• Hitler implemented three changes:
o Increased party membership through local branches and
Hitler Youth
o Established the SA (basically Nazi thugs) and the SS (Hitler’s
personal elite bodyguards)
o Used extensive propaganda

20. Hitler Youth

21. The SA (‘Sturmabteilung’)

22. The SS (‘Schutzstaffel’)

23. Reorganisation of the
Nazi Party

24. Hitler’s leadership abilities
1. Persuasive Nazi ideology
2. Exploitation of the fears of communism
3. Charisma and oratorical skills
4. Reorganisation of the Nazi Party
5. Skilful political deals

25. Skilful Political Deals
• Hitler vowed to seize power in Germany legally
• He joined coalition governments with other
parties on the political Right (see below)
• He waited patiently and seized power gradually

26. Skilful Political Deals
• President Hindenburg distrusted Hitler
• He preferred two other candidates: von Papen
and Schleicher
• He wanted them to be Chancellor instead of
Hitler, but…
o They had limited support in the Reichstag*
o von Papen and Schleicher could not agree with
each other
o Hitler was becoming increasingly popular
*The Reichtag is the name of the German parliament

27. Skilful Political Deals
• Eventually, Hindenburg was forced to appoint
Hitler as Chancellor (i.e. ‘Prime Minister’)
• Hindenburg and von Papen assumed that they
could control Hitler and the Nazis
• Hitler initially cooperated with them to give the
impression that he was trustworthy
• He took complete control after Hindenburg’s
death

28. Hitler’s leadership abilities
1. Persuasive Nazi ideology
2. Exploitation of the fears of communism
3. Charisma and oratorical skills
4. Reorganisation of the Nazi Party
5. Skilful political deals

29. Hitler’s Leadership
Abilities
Persuasive Nazi ideology
Exploitation of fears about
Communism
Charisma & oratorical
skills
Reorganisation of Nazi
Party
Skilful political deals
Circumstances in
Germany
Weaknesses of the Weimar
Government
Hyperinflation
The Great Depression