Muhlberger, Detlef Willi; (1975) The rise of National Socialism in Westphalia 1920-1933. Doctoral thesis , University of London.

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Abstract

This is a study of the origin and development of National Socialism in a predominantly industrialised province containing both Catholics and Protestants in roughly equal numbers. Following a description of the province of Westphalia, the initial emphasis is placed on providing; the setting in which Nazism operated. Thus the revolution of 1918 and its political consequences are dealt with, as well as the political and economic situation of the nineteen-twenties. The strength of the left-wing parties and of the Centre Party in 'Westphalia is stressed. The emphasis switches to the NSDAP. Its early history is outlined, especially its connection with diverse radical right-wings movement which helped to prepare the way for Nazism. The problems of the nascent NSDAP, its restriction to urban centres of the Ruhr, its limited impact due to the socio-religious composition of the population, end the weakness of the regional party organisation are examined. The fragmentation of the regional volkisch-National Socialist movement after the failure of the Hitler-Putsch of 1923 is analysed. The reformation of the HSDAP and the Westphalian reaction to Munich developments provide the basis for an account of the construction, founded on the implementation of the Fuhrerprinzip, of the Regional organisation. Although support dwindled by 1927 as political and economic circumstances became more settled, the importance of the development of the year 1926 to 1929 is emphasized since this is the period during which the Nazis perfected their organisation and propaganda techniques and extended their Operations - especially, after 1923, into the rural areas. The build-up of the regional party allowed the Nazis to exploit the political and economic difficulties created by the economic crisis after 1929. The increasing success of the Westphalian NSDAP, as reflected ..."1. ITSDAP, as reflected in the expansion of party membership and growing electoral support between 1930 and 1932 is noted. An analysis of the developments in the Gau administration, the emphasis on specialist organisation and their limited success, is followed by an examination of the NSDAP’s failure to make any serious impression on the left-wing vote and the Catholic vote in the elections of 1932. A review of the history of the NSDAP in Westphalia conclude the study.

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