World War II

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Describe the development of the Nazi Party from 1924 to 1928.

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Between 1924 and 1928, the Nazi Party, under Adolf Hitler, transitioned from a failed coup attempt to a more structured political force. After his release from prison in late 1924, Hitler reestablished the party, focusing on electoral participation and organizational growth. Membership increased, and propaganda was enhanced under Josef Goebbels. Although they struggled in elections due to Germany's stable economy, the Nazis' internal consolidation positioned them for future success during the economic turmoil of the Great Depression.

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The Nazi Party developed, grew, and changed a great deal between 1924 and 1928. This important transformation was carried out by Adolph Hitler.

In 1923, Hitler tried to take power by force in the Munich Putsch. Mussolini had violently seized power the year before, and Hitler sought to emulate his future ally. Germany was suffering from severe inflation, so the Nazis sensed an opportunity. Moreover, Hitler had thousands of SA troops ready to fight for him.

After the failure of the coup, Hitler was sentenced to prison, where he spent most of 1924. He wrote Mein Kampf in prison, and he realized that power could only be achieved by winning elections. He served less than a year of his five-year sentence.

In 1925, he began to enlarge the party. Membership in the party quintupled, and its organization strengthened. Hitler put Josef Goebbels in charge of Nazi propaganda. Although the party...

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was stronger, Hitler could not speak in public until 1927. Moreover, the party could not win many seats in the German parliament during these years. Germany's economy and government were doing fairly well in this period, so most voters were not inclined to support the Nazis.

In 1926, the Nazis held a conference at Bamburg. Hitler ended factional disputes and cemented his position as the unchallenged leader of the party.

The Nazis's rise really began in 1929. In that year, the Great Depression started, causing grave economic and political turmoil. This gave Hitler and his strengthened party their opportunity to take power.

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In late 1924, Hitler was released from prison and reestablished the Nazi Party.  This version of the party was meant to be less violent and revolutionary.  It became part of the political system and competed in elections across the country.

During the time period you mention, though, the Nazis never did well in national elections.  They got very small percentages of the vote.  During this time, all that they were really doing was becoming more organized.  They were creating a hierarchical organization with block leaders and cell leaders and county leaders and regional leaders, culminating at the top with Hitler.  They were also recruiting more members in certain parts of the country where economic conditions were still poor.

By developing their organization and recruiting as much as possible, they were in position to become much more of a force when the Great Depression ruined Germany's economy.

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