297: The Nazis: Hitler's Triumph (Part 3)

In this episode of The Rest Is History, Tom and Dominic delve into the rise of the Nazi party in Germany, focusing on the period when the Great Depression intensified street fights between Nazis and communists, ultimately leading to Hitler's ascent to power. They discuss Horst Wessel, a young Nazi figure, and how the Nazis appealed to the youth by offering a sense of purpose, drama, and action. The conversation explores the impact of the Great Depression on Germany, the political landscape of the Weimar Republic, and the strategic missteps made by Weimar elites that facilitated the Nazis' rise. They analyze the complex interplay between the Nazis, communists, and other political parties, highlighting the infighting and miscalculations that contributed to the collapse of the Weimar Republic and Hitler's eventual appointment as Chancellor.