Weimar and Nazi Germany (1918-1939): Reorganising the Nazi Party

Hitler served just nine months of his five-year sentence following the failed Munich Putsch. After his release Hitler took steps to improve the Nazi party organisation and take power by democratic means.

He appointed a party secretary and party treasurer who organised and financed the Nazis, ensuring Hitler could lead effectively.

The ban on the NSDAP was lifted in February 1925. The party focused on growing its support amongst young people and women. It created the National Socialist German Students’ League and The German Women’s Order - two groups designed to spread the popularity of the Nazis throughout Germany and showcase their professionalism.

Broadening the geographic reach of the party was also a key aim. Prior to the Munich Putsch, the party had been focussed in the southern states of Germany around Bavaria and Munich. There were smaller regional groups across Germany but these were not as powerful as the party under Hitler in the south.

To create a national party, Hitler ensured there was an office of the Nazi Party in each constituency of the Weimar Republic. This expansion and consolidation was paid for by donations from wealthy businessmen such as Krupp, Bosch and Thyssen who wanted Hitler and the Nazis to crush the trade union movement and communism in Germany.

Hitler also reformed the Nazi security forces. He set up the Schutzstaffel (“SS”) in 1925 to act as his personal bodyguard. The SS was 3,000 men strong by 1930 and was controlled by Heinrich Himmler.