The Rise of the Nazi Party 1920–1933

The Nazi Party (Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei — NSDAP) grew from a tiny, obscure political group in 1920 to the largest party in Germany by 1932. This lesson traces the origins and early development of the Nazi Party, its ideology, and its methods. This is a core topic for the AQA GCSE History specification.

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Origins of the Nazi Party

The Nazi Party originated from the German Workers' Party (DAP), founded in Munich in January 1919 by Anton Drexler. It was a small, nationalist, anti-Semitic party.

Hitler Joins the Party

Adolf Hitler joined the DAP in September 1919 as member number 555 (though the party inflated its membership numbers by starting at 500). He quickly became the party's most effective speaker and propagandist.