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Hitler in conversation with Ernst Hanfstaengl and Hermann Göring, 21 June 1932
Adolf Hitler's rise to power began in the newly established Weimar Republic in September 1919 when Hitler joined a political party known as the Deutsche Arbeiterpartei – DAP (German Workers' Party). Hitler rose to a place of prominence in the early years of the party. Being one of its best speakers, he was made the party leader after he threatened to otherwise leave.
In 1920, the DAP renamed itself to the Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei – NSDAP (National Socialist German Workers' Party, commonly known as the Nazi Party). Hitler chose this name to win over German workers. Despite the NSDAP being a right wing party it did have many anti-capitalist and anti-bourgeois elements. Hitler initiated a purge of these elements and reaffirmed the Nazi Party's pro-business stance. By 1922 Hitler's control over the party was unchallenged. In 1923, Hitler and his supporters attempted a coup to remove the government via force. This seminal event was later called the Beer Hall Putsch. Upon its failure, Hitler escaped, only to be subsequently arrested and put on trial. The trial proved to be a blessing in disguise for Hitler as it garnered him national fame. Hitler was sentenced to five years, but he would only serve eight months. It would be during this time that Hitler wrote Mein Kampf, which became the vade mecum of National Socialism. Once released, Hitler switched tactics, he was going to seize power through legal and democratic means.
Hitler, armed with his newfound celebrity began furiously campaigning. The 1920s saw the Nazis run on a platform consisting of anti-communism, antisemitism and extreme nationalism. The party also spoke out against the ruling democratic government, the Treaty of Versailles, and desire to turn Germany into a world power. At this time most Germans were indifferent to Hitler's rhetoric as the German economy was beginning to recover in large part due to loans from the United States under the Dawes Plan.[1] The German political landscape would be shattered dramatically when the 1929 Wall Street Crash shriveled economic aid to Germany. The Great Depression brought the German economy to a halt and further polarized German politics. Hitler and the Nazis began to exploit the crisis and loudly criticized the ruling government. During this time the German Communist Party also began campaigning on the crisis and called for a revolution. Business leaders fearful of a communist takeover began supporting the Nazi party. In 1932 the Nazis held the largest number of seats in the Reichstag albeit short of an absolute majority. Seeking to capture the rising electoral success, Hitler ran for the presidency in 1932 however he was defeated by the incumbent Paul von Hindenburg.