In December 1924, shortly before Christmas, Adolf Hitler was released from Landsberg prison. He had been put behind bars for the attempted coup of November 9, 1923, and was released early for good behavior. As an Austrian, the Bavarian authorities should have extradited him in principle, but they did not, and so he was able to return to Munich, reports the German public broadcaster ARD.
In Landsberg, Hitler wrote "Mein Kampf" and found a publishing house. He also had a network of supporters and donors, historian Otmar Plöckinger explained to the publication. Thus, Hitler's new start was financially secured.
First steps to freedom
There are many legends about Hitler's personal life from 1925 onwards. He kept a diary, visited various cafes, and also enjoyed the attention and interest of prominent Munich ladies.
On this occasion, Plöckinger notes that it was probably a kind of protective instinct: "Hitler wanted to withdraw into a certain sphere where he could relax and also enjoy culture".
On the political front, however, the situation was not good. Upon his release from prison, Hitler gave his word that he would abide by the law. For this reason, he was allowed to re-establish the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP) and to speak publicly. But the far-right and nationalist scene at the time was divided - power struggles were also raging within his party.
Sponsors finance his big projects
It is less well known that the new party organization was solidly built, notes ARD. The party treasurer introduced an entrance fee for Hitler's appearances and took care of its finances. In 1933, the party bought a palace in Munich for its headquarters, which was called the "brown house" because of the color of the Nazi uniforms.
Sponsors from the economy - such as Fritz Thyssen - provided the funds for the project. But, as historian Plöckinger points out, this was not the main source of income.
Passionate speeches in the circus
Munich was also the scene of Hitler's major appearances, among which his speeches before thousands of supporters in the "Corona" circus are particularly famous. One of those present - the Munich lawyer Otto Gritschneder, who at the age of 18 was at one of Hitler's appearances in 1932, later recalled: "Hitler spoke the most insane nonsense in the most indecent way, and with such emotional overtones that it immediately became clear that politics could not be done that way. That was clear to me even then."
As a result of the economic crisis, which led to the impoverishment of millions of Germans, the NSDAP performed successfully in the elections. In addition, another problem was solved in 1932: Hitler had voluntarily renounced his Austrian citizenship in 1925 and, as a stateless person, could neither run for political office nor vote. However, the city of Braunschweig, where his National Socialist Party was in power, appointed him as a councilor, and in this capacity he automatically became a German citizen.
Do not underestimate the enemies of democracy
The rest is known: in 1932 the NSDAP became the strongest party in the country. Due to the mutual intrigues of conservative politicians, the Weimar Republic collapsed extremely quickly. On January 30, 1933, Reich President Paul von Hindenburg appointed Hitler as Reich Chancellor: it was not a "seizure of power", as the Nazis claimed, but a transfer of power, ARD reports.
For historian Plöckinger, Hitler's rise after 1925 is a fatal example of how costly it is for democrats to underestimate their enemies. “When the willingness to accept democracy as an indispensable value for social, tolerant coexistence breaks down, this opens up opportunities for people like Hitler.”
Author: Rainer Volk (ARD)