The Nazi Seizure of Power

 Among the right-wing groups was the National Social German Workers' Party, known as the NSDAP or Nazis. It had been formed in the early 1920s, and led by a World War I veteran, Adolph Hitler. The Nazis claimed to be both social and national. This meant they wanted to help the unemployed workers and to promote the national interest and culture of Germany.

 Like the Fascists in Italy, the Nazis emphasized the importance of the fhrer, or leader, to whom all party members owed absolute obedience. This idea was similar to the Communist concept of "democratic centralism." It was based on the philosophy that discussions about issues were a waste of precious time and the movement needed its members to act decisively so it could gain power.

 To take decisive action, the Nazi party organized its members into a paramilitary force, with uniforms and arms, known as storm troopers. Supposedly, these arms were necessary to protect party members at their meetings. The storm troopers were as strong as the German government's police, but they were not controlled by anyone other than the leader, Adolf Hitler. The storm troopers also used violence to break up meetings of Communist and Socialist parties. Finally, the storm troopers provided activity and pay to unemployed veterans. To these veterans, it seemed that the Nazi party could give them work and pride. It made them feel they were part of a larger cause, which the elected German government did not.