G. Strasser Not Hitler Leads Nazis

Discussions on alternate history, including events up to 20 years before today. Hosted by Terry Duncan.
Post Reply
Kullman
Member
Posts: 32
Joined: 17 Jan 2003, 18:59
Location: Lansing, MI

G. Strasser Not Hitler Leads Nazis

#1

Post by Kullman » 08 Feb 2003, 18:30

How would things have played out if G. Strasser took control of the Nazis after the failed putsch of November 1923?
Last edited by Kullman on 09 Feb 2003, 21:45, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
peter_suciu
Member
Posts: 199
Joined: 29 Nov 2002, 17:49
Location: New York City

#2

Post by peter_suciu » 08 Feb 2003, 20:12

The party struggles throught the 1920s until it eventually breaks into factions. Some would arguably continue along the Nazi path while others might break away as a German Fascist Party, which I'll call the DFP. This would be different from the Nazis in that it would follow Mussolini's Fascist lines, as well as the Union of British Fascists in England under Mosley.

The DFP manages to get secret support from the military leaders of army, who were already secretly rebuilding the German war machine. I'd assume that some lost soul would lead the DFP...and Heydrich was casheried from the navy and thus might be the perfect person to lead the DFP in the 1930s, with the sawtooth bayonet of World War I as their symbol.

In 1933 the DFP and Nazis both lose badly in the elections and German socialists carry the election. This new leadership is openly hostile to France and England, who worry that a more right-wing government would be a better buffer to Stalin's Soviet Union.

Hitler would continue to rant and rave after his release from prison but he is killed in a street riot in 1928. The fledging Nazis write a song for him...so instead of Horst Wessel Song we have the Adolf Hitler Song. As a side note paintings by the one-time radical suddenly become the rave of the European art world and The New York Times declares in a feature in January of 1933 that the "world was robbed of a great artist of the 20th century, this was a man destined for greatness but tragically killed on the streets of Munich." Hitler turns to become the martyr of the Nazi cause and in 1934 the DFP concludes the vote that is to become known as the Night of Long Knives as the Nazis reunite as a faction of the DFP.

The SS element along with a man of little power, Himmler, are secretly purged by Rohm and his SA forces, with the new SA serving as the private bodyguards of the DFP party head Heydrich. Heydrich meets with fascist leaders in Italy and Austria and announces that a new Germany is about to rise up.

In 1935 the German army with the DFP marches into the Rhineland and renounces the 1919 treaty of Versailles. Taking the train to Berlin, with Mussolini, Heydrich immiates his Italian ally and marches to the Reichstag and demands a voice in the government.

President Goering agrees to make Heydrich the Reich Chancellor. Goering had been a former Nazi and after Munich in 1923 joined the socialist party and rose through their ranks. He is blackmailed as much by Heydrich as the DFP and while it is publically known that Goering was a Nazi, he had downplayed his role in the Putsch of 23. Two months after taking power Goering dies of an overdose of morphine in Berlin and is given a state funneral. Heydrich becomes the sole leader of the new Third Reich of Germany.

1938 sees the union of Austria and Germany under Fasisct governments and Heydrich, Mussolini and Mosely (who is an MP in England) declare that a Union of Fascist states will stop the spread of unholy communism.

In 1939 Kaiser Wilhelm II is allowed to return for the celebration of his 80th birthday and in a surpise move Heydrich announces that the Kaiser and his family can live out their days in Germany. While they will have no official power in the government this is proclaimed to be the "restoration" of the goverment.

That's what I have for part I...any comments? Obviously I tried to throw in a few jokes but I think it makes an interesting "what if"


Kullman
Member
Posts: 32
Joined: 17 Jan 2003, 18:59
Location: Lansing, MI

Reply to Pete

#3

Post by Kullman » 09 Feb 2003, 21:44

Pete (and anyone else):

I like the ideas, but I haven't had time to go over them carefully. Perhaps things would be more interesting if Strasser and Rohm beat Hitler to the punch when it comes to purge time. I've been reading a biography about Himmler, and there was talk of Strasser and Rohm joining the government and keeping Hitler as a figure-head.

Strasser, and to some degree Himmler, were supported by I.G. Farben, and other light industry/chemical companies, where as Hitler and Goring were supported more by heavy industry. If Strasser and his faction took control in the 30's, perhaps Germany would have produced more chemical type weapons, instead of tanks and planes. Plastics, or maybe cavlar/ceramic type armor would have been developed instead of steel for armor. Planes would be made that had a low radar signature.

By the way, is it possible to spell-check when I'm writing on this forum? I could write attachments, but I would rather not, yet, I hate to submit stuff when I know my spelling is poor.

Post Reply

Return to “What if”