Watch The Rise of the Nazi Party

The Rise of the Nazi Party is a historical docudrama miniseries produced by Acorn Media in 2013, which chronicles the events that led to the rise of Adolf Hitler's Nazi party in Germany during the 1920s and 1930s. The show features a mix of dramatic reconstructions, archive footage, and expert commentary to provide a detailed look at the factors that contributed to the birth of one of the most infamous political movements in modern history.

The series is presented in six episodes that cover a period of over a decade, from Hitler's early days in Munich to his appointment as Chancellor of Germany in 1933. The first episode, titled "The Menace," sets the stage by exploring the aftermath of World War I and the political and economic instability that plagued Germany in the early 1920s. Through interviews with historians and archival footage, the show explains how Hitler and his cronies seized on people's fear, resentment, and despair to gain followers and create their own political party.

The second episode, "The Charismatic Leader," delves deeper into Hitler's personality, his oratorical skills, and his ability to manipulate the emotions of his audience. We get to see how he gradually built a cult of personality around himself, drawing in disaffected war veterans, students, and unemployed workers who saw him as a savior who could restore Germany's glory.

In the third episode, "The Brownshirts," we see how Hitler's paramilitary force, the SA, became a powerful tool for intimidating and suppressing political opponents. The show details the brutal tactics used by the Brownshirts, including beatings, arrests, and murders, and the show explores the role of the SA in the infamous Night of the Long Knives, where Hitler ordered the execution of hundreds of political rivals.

In the fourth episode, "The Power Grab," we see how Hitler and the Nazi party made their decisive move to seize control of the German state. The show covers events like the Reichstag fire, which Hitler used to justify the suppression of civil liberties and the persecution of Jews, and the Enabling Act, which gave Hitler near-dictatorial powers.

In the fifth episode, "The Fuhrer," we explore how Hitler consolidated his grip on power and became the undisputed leader of Germany. The show examines the propaganda machine that allowed Hitler to control public opinion, and it chronicles the construction of the Nazi state, with its strict hierarchy, its cult of Aryanism, and its ruthless suppression of dissent.

Finally, in the sixth episode, "The Legacy," the show traces the catastrophic consequences of Hitler's reign, including the outbreak of World War II and the Holocaust. Through interviews with Holocaust survivors and historians, the show offers a sobering reminder of the dangers of demagoguery and political extremism.

Throughout the series, we see dramatic reconstructions of key moments in Hitler's rise to power, including the failed Beer Hall Putsch of 1923 and the negotiations that led to his appointment as Chancellor in 1933. The actors who bring these events to life are convincing, and the show does a good job of balancing historical accuracy with cinematic flair.

Overall, The Rise of the Nazi Party is a compelling and thought-provoking series that offers an in-depth look at one of the darkest moments in human history. While it can be uncomfortable to watch at times, it serves as an important reminder of the need to be vigilant against the rise of authoritarianism and extremism.