Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei

From Wikipedia, a free encyclopedia written in simple English for easy reading.

Someone thinks that this page or section does not use Simple English. This does not mean it is bad. It may only be difficult for some users to understand. Editors can help Wikipedia by making the page or section simpler. For tips on making it better, read "How to write Simple English articles".

Symbol of National Socialism and Flag of the German Reich (1933/1934–1945)

The Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei (nationally socialist workers' party of Germany, NSDAP), also known as the Nazi Party, was a German political group. It was started in 1920 from the Deutsche Arbeiterpartei (German Workers' party) (DAP). That party was renamed to NSDAP later. On the day of its founding, the party published its 25 point manifesto. The main aim of it was to get the Treaty of Versailles stopped. It also wanted Jewish people in Germany be not allowed citizenship. Until 1923, the party was most liked in Bavaria.

In 1923, Adolf Hitler and Erich Luddendorff tried to get to power in Germany. This putsch failed. Hitler was given 5 years in prison for high treason. This is an very small sentence. Other people were given death penalties. The NSDAP was also declared a not allowed party. While he was imprisoned, Adolf Hitler wrote most of Mein Kampf (my struggle). In this book he outlines his political ideas and his future plans for Jews.

In 1924, Adolf Hitler was released (early) from prison. He reorganised the NSDAP. He wanted to legally get to power by elections. The next elections to the Reichstag were in 1928. Until then, the NSDAP was only one of a few nationalist, main parties from the extreme right. There were many other parties with similar ideas then. Among people supporting the party were Fritz Thyssen and Emil Kirdorf, both leaders of notable industries.

In the 1928 election, the party won 2.6 percent of the vote. The party decided to reduce antisemitic slogans, in order to do better next time. The party focused on terrorising the people, as well as more on international policy, and got around 10 % of the vote in local elections in 1929 and 1930.

In 1930, Paul von Hindenburg dissolved the Reichstag. This was seen as an opportunity for the NSDAP. On the re-elections on September 14, 1930, the NSDAP won 18.3% of the vote, and was only second as to representation. What people wanted was to put away with the Weimarer Republik (Republic of Weimar), which had been established after the First World War. People also wanted a stronger Germany with more troops. Militarily, Germany had been castrated by the Treaty of Versailles. All those points were in the programme of the NSDAP, so it is no wonder that many people elected them.

On the 30 January 1933, Franz von Papen offered to make Adolf Hitler Chancellor in a nationalist cabinet. This was done in secret. NSDAP literature praises this event as seizing power (German: Machtergreifung) as opposed to the giving of power (German: Machtübernahme) it really was. By then, the NSDAP had about 39.5 % of the popular vote.

The Structure of NSDAP about 1938

In the last free election of the Republic of Weimar, in March 1933, the NSDAP won 44 % of the vote. This was not the majority. Nevertheless, they managed to get the required two thirds majority to pass the Ermächtigungsgesetz (Enablement Act). Based on this, they dissolved parliament, and made all parties (except the NSDAP) illegal.

In 1934, they introduced compulsory (state-driven) social security and that if you marry, the goods of the two spouses are seen separately by the state. Both reforms are still valid today, and form one of the bases of the modern-day German state.

The NSAP remained active until the capitulation of Germany on May 8, 1945. On that day, it chose to dissolve itself.

[edit] Sayings, mottos, and slogans

• "Sieg Heil! Sieg Heil! Sieg Heil!"
  • "Hail Victory" (common Nazi chant at rallies)
• "Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Führer!"
  • "One nation, one imperium, one leader!".
• "Deutschland, erwache!"
  • "Germany, Awake!" (Coined by Dietrich Eckart, this was the title to a popular Nazi song and put on many propaganda banners.) (5)
• "Die Juden sind unser Unglück!"
  • "The Jews are our misfortune!"
• "Lang lebe unser ruhmvoller Führer!"
  • "Long live our glorious leader!"
• "Heute Deutschland, morgen die Welt!"
  • "Today Germany, tomorrow the world!"
• "Die Deutschen immer vor dem Ausländer und den Juden!"
  • "The German always before the foreigner and Jew!"
• "Sicher ist der Jude auch ein Mann, aber der Floh ist auch ein Tier"
  • "Certainly the Jew is also a man, but the flea is also an animal".