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Politics

Rise of the Nazis Origins
Episode 1 of 3

Delving into the corridors of power where Germany’s top political mastermind sees an opportunity to use the popularity of the Nazis for his own ends.

This episode takes us into the corridors of power where Germany’s top political mastermind sees an opportunity to use the sudden popularity of the Nazis for his own ends. This sets off a chain of miscalculations, backroom deals and power grabs that will propel Hitler from the fringes of political activism into the heart of government.

Hitler wants to become absolute leader of a single-party German state - standing in his way is democracy and the rule of law. After leading a failed coup in 1923, Hitler decides on a new strategy for taking power: instead of being revolutionaries, the Nazis will become a legitimate, mainstream political party operating under the veneer of legality. Hitler aims to win power democratically and then destroy democracy from within. To achieve his goal Hitler must overcome Germany’s political elite, including Paul von Hindenburg, the president who looks down on him, and, behind the scenes, political mastermind Kurt von Schleicher, who wants to use him.

Whilst this political intrigue plays out at the highest level of government, Hitler faces another obstacle at ground level – a Jewish lawyer called Hans Litten, who is out to prove that the Nazis are far from the legal, legitimate party they claim to be.

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58 minutes

Last on

Thu 8 Feb 2024 02:40
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Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:09

    Academy of St. Christopher Orchestra

    Tannhauser

  • 00:38

    St. John Cantius Choir and Orchestra of Saint Cecilia, Rev. Scott A. Haynes, S.J.C.

    Requiem In D Minor, K. 626: Requiem

Credits

Director Julian Jones
Executive Producer Julian Jones
Executive Producer David Glover
Executive Producer Cate Hall
Series Producer Kate Quine
Line Producer Darapon Vongsa-Nga
Producer Ella Wright
Producer Catalina Bingham
Narrator Kate Fleetwood
Composer Tom Hodge
Production Company 72 Films
Adolf Hitler Andrius Rozickas
Kurt Von Schleicher Julius Tamosiunas
Paul Von Hindenburg Juozas Budraitis
Franz Von Papen Dainius Svobonas
Hans Litten Rytis Saladzius
Hermann Göring Mindaugas Capas

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