e German state of Bavaria where theNazis were based was a hotbed of groups opposed to the democraticgovernment in Berlin. By now, November 1923, the Nazis, with 55,000followers, were the biggest and best organized. With Nazi membersdemanding action, Hitler knew he had to act or risk losing the leadershipof his Party. This was the Munich, or Beer Hall, Putsch. In the 1920s theNazi Party became confident enough to attempt a coup.The Putsch was an utter disaster and after his release fromconfinement, Hitler vowed that he would take power legitimately and notby force. After the ban on the party was raised in 1925, Hitler sought toconsolidated the support from the working class by increasing theanti-Semitic propaganda and further ensuring them that the Nazis wouldguarantee employment. Despite the rise in support, the Nazis were in factlosing ground in the only place it mattered - the Reichstag. After fouryears of reorganization and campaigning, in the Reichstag elections of1928 the Nazis fell to just twelve deputies. And the fact that theCommunists had four times as many seats as them did not help. TheNazis, therefore, decided on another change in policy as they were gettingnowhere with the workers. Hitler sought support from the middles classwith his virulent anti-Communism and promises to control tradeunionism and support from the farmers by promising them high prices fortheir products. Hitler gained support from both the middle class andfarmers and membership doubled between 1927 and 1929. Would thisgrowth have continued at the same rate? Who knows. But in 1929, eventsthat even the Nazis didnt have control over launched them on a course setstraight to power. Seizing power legitimately rather than forcibly wasvowed by Hitler after the disastrous attempt at a coup.Germany wasnt the only country affected by the Great Depressionbut it certainly was hit particularly bad. This is due to the fact thatAmerican banks recalled the loans which were ...
