The Rise of Nazism

About the lecture

In this module, we think about the rise of Nazism in the period 1918-33, focusing in particular on: (i) the Sonderweg theory in German historiography, its central thesis, and its proponents and its critics; (ii) the development of scientific racism in the second half of the nineteenth century: Darwin's Origin of Species, Herbert Spencer's "survival of the fittest" and Arthur de Gobineau's theory of the Aryan master race; (iii) the emergence of radical right-wing groups at the turn of the century, e.g. the Pan-German League; (iv) the impact of the First World War, the German Revolution, and the creation of the Weimar Republic in the creation of the Nazi Party; (v) the economic and political difficulties of Weimar Germany in the period 1918-22, especially the difficulties created by the Treaty of Versailles; (vi) the sense in which things improved between 1923-29, including important developments in art, science and social welfare; (vii) the origins of the Nazi Party in the German Workers' Party (DAP), founded in 1919; (viii) the importance of Adolf Hitler in the emergence of the DAP: his leadership of the party, creation of an official newspaper and a paramilitary wing; (ix) the (failed) Beer Hall Putsch and Hitler's time in jail; (x) the continued growth of the party after Hitler is released from jail; and (xi) Hitler's use of violence and propaganda to defeat his enemies and gain popular support.

About the lecturer

Dr Lisa Pine is an Associate Professor in History. She is a graduate of the London School of Economics, where she obtained her first degree in Government and History and her MSc in International History with Distinction. She received her doctorate from the University of London in 1996.

She has taught extensively in modern and contemporary history and politics. She is a leading international expert on issues relating to the history of Nazi Germany. Dr Pine has written on a diverse range of topics including the family, women and education in the Third Reich and aspects of Holocaust history and memory. She has contributed to local, national and international media, as well as numerous international conferences and symposia.

Her research expertise is centred upon the history of Nazi Germany, 1933-1945. She is a social historian of the Third Reich, with a strong interest in the mechanisms of this dictatorial regime and its impact upon German society.

She is a widely published international expert in this field. Her main publications include: Life and Times in Nazi Germany (2016); Education in Nazi Germany (2010); Hitler's "National Community": Society and Culture in Nazi Germany (2007 and 2017); and Nazi Family Policy, 1933-1945 (1997).