What did the Nazi Party stand for in the 1920's?

Hitler in World War One

The Nazis began as the German Workers Party after World War One. A right wing group led by Anton Drexler. They were opposed to the Weimar government, believed Germany had been 'stabbed in the back' by the November criminals and feared the Red threat. Hitler initially spied on the Party, but eventually joined in 1919. Within months Drexler had recognised his talents and placed him in charge of propaganda and the political ideas of the party. 1920 Hitler came up with the 25 point programme which wanted to abolish the Treaty of Versailles, union with Austria, Jews to be excluded from Germany and a strong government. The party was also renamed the National Socialists German Workers Party, by 1921 Hitler had replaced Drexler as leader.

Hitler was a great public speaker and would gain support from his audiences by giving them scapegoats for Germany's problems such as the Jews, communists and November Criminals. The SA were used to stop any disruption from opponents and to attack opposition meetings. Basically acting as Hitler thugs under the direction of Ernst Rohm.




Erst Rohm leader of the SA later to be murdered by Hitler's SS in the Night of the Long Knives 1934.