Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · History
Course version: 1HI0 · Version from Sept 2016
Key topic 2: Hitler’s rise to power, 1919–33 - 1 Early development of the…
Full specification wording
Option 31: Key topic 2: Hitler’s rise to power, 1919–33 - 1 Early development of the Nazi Party, 1920–22: The Twenty-Five Point Programme. The role of the SA.
The Twenty-Five Point Programme, co-authored by Hitler and Anton Drexler in 1920, outlined the early political manifesto of the Nazi Party.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 2
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The Twenty-Five Point Programme, co-authored by Hitler and Anton Drexler in 1920, outlined the early political manifesto of the Nazi Party. It combined nationalist demands, such as the abolition of the Treaty of Versailles and the creation of a Greater Germany, with socialist ideas like profit-sharing in large industries and old-age pensions. It also introduced anti-Semitic policies, denying citizenship to Jews. To protect party meetings and intimidate political rivals, particularly the communists, Hitler established the Sturmabteilung (SA) in 1921. Known as the 'Brownshirts' and led by Ernst Röhm, the SA provided a paramilitary force that projected strength and order, violently disrupting opposition rallies and attracting ex-soldiers.
What earns the marks
- Identify key nationalist elements of the 25-Point Programme, such as overturning the Treaty of Versailles.
- Identify key socialist elements, such as nationalising trusts and profit-sharing.
- Explain the SA's primary function in protecting Nazi speakers and disrupting rival political meetings.
- Analyse how the SA's paramilitary appearance appealed to unemployed ex-soldiers and projected an image of discipline.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Confusing the SA with the SS.
Put it right: The SA (Brownshirts) were the early paramilitary wing led by Röhm, whereas the SS (Blackshirts) were Hitler's personal bodyguards formed later.
Assuming the 25-Point Programme was purely capitalist or purely socialist.
Put it right: Acknowledge that the programme deliberately blended extreme nationalism with socialist-sounding policies to attract a broad base of support.
Stating Hitler wrote the 25-Point Programme alone.
Put it right: Note that it was co-authored with Anton Drexler, the original founder of the DAP.
Exam tips
- When explaining the appeal of the early Nazi Party, explicitly link specific points from the 25-Point Programme to the social groups they targeted, such as farmers or ex-soldiers.
- Use the SA as concrete evidence of how the Nazis used violence and intimidation as a deliberate political strategy in the early 1920s.
- Avoid simply listing the 25 points; instead, categorise them into nationalist, socialist, and anti-Semitic themes to demonstrate higher-level analysis.
Try the lesson
The start of the Option 31: Key topic 2: Hitler’s rise to power, 1919–33 - 1 Early development of the Nazi Party, 1920–22: The Twenty-Five Point Programme. The role of the SA. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which of the following was a key demand of the Nazi Party's Twenty-Five Point Programme?
Listen
The Twenty-Five Point Programme, co-authored by Hitler and Anton Drexler in 1920, outlined the early political manifesto of the Nazi Party. It combined nationalist demands, such as the abolition of the Treaty of Versailles and the creation of a Greater Germany, with socialist ideas like profit-sharing in large industries and old-age pensions. It also introduced anti-Semitic policies, denying citizenship to Jews. To protect party meetings and intimidate political rivals, particularly the communists, Hitler established the Sturmabteilung (SA) in 1921. Known as the 'Brownshirts' and led by Ernst Röhm, the SA provided a paramilitary force that projected strength and order, violently disrupting opposition rallies and attracting ex-soldiers. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Identify key nationalist elements of the 25-Point Programme, such as overturning the Treaty of Versailles. Identify key socialist elements, such as nationalising trusts and profit-sharing. Explain the SA's primary function in protecting Nazi speakers and disrupting rival political meetings. Analyse how the SA's paramilitary appearance appealed to unemployed ex-soldiers and projected an image of discipline. A common slip: Confusing the SA with the SS. Instead, The SA (Brownshirts) were the early paramilitary wing led by Röhm, whereas the SS (Blackshirts) were Hitler's personal bodyguards formed later. Exam tip: When explaining the appeal of the early Nazi Party, explicitly link specific points from the 25-Point Programme to the social groups they targeted, such as farmers or ex-soldiers.
See it
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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