PROPAGANDA POSTCARDS
(1926)

This page was last updated
15-Feb-2023 03:05

REICHSPARTEITAG
(NAZI PARTY RALLY)

The Reich's Party Convention Rally, Reichsparteitag or Nurnberg Rallies, as they are better known in English, were the annual celebration and propaganda show piece for the Nazi Party. In the early years (1923 to 1929) it was held on a somewhat ad-hoc basis (money permitting). However in 1933 it became a permanent fixture of the Nazi calendar.

From 1927 onwards all of the rallies were held in Nuremberg, chosen for it's geographical location at the centre of the Reich. The Nazi base was also strong in the city and the local organiser, Julius Streicher, had powerful connections to the local Franconian police force who were also sympathetic to the Nazi cause.

SECOND NAZI PARTY RALLY - WEIMAR
REFOUNDING CONGRESS
(3rd/4th Jul 1926)

There was no rally in 1924 since Hitler was incarcerated in Landsburg prison following the failed putsch of 8th/9th Nov 1923. He was released only 8 months later, but was banned from public speaking, so there was no rally in 1925. Even were he allowed to speak, the party had become so fractured and disjointed that it is unlikely that any event could have taken place.

However Hitler was well aware of the potential political importance the annual Nazi get togethers had. Not only did it give the Nazi's a platform to spread their message, but it also gave the Nazi faithful a chance to see him in flesh, and be part of the Hitler myth that was slowly being created by his henchmen.

In 1926 enough money was found to oragnise the second Reichsparteitag. 'The Refounding Congress', a title which adequately described the current situation with the Nazi's looking to go back to their roots and start afresh. As Hitler was still banned from speaking in Bavaria, the venue chosen was the city of the current seat of government, Weimar.

Like the rally of 1923 this was a small event when compared to the later rallies with all their pomp and ceremony. It was probably remembered most for the violence and street fighting between the Nazi SA and their political opponents.