Crisis and anti-Semitism
The SA
The SA march down the street.
The German economy is doing badly. Jews are blamed for it. Things go from bad to worse. Otto and Edith Frank are deeply worried.
Major Concerns
Of course, they don’t reveal their concerns to their children. Besides the poor economic climate, there are also political problems in the country. Supporters of Hitler’s NSDAP are increasing in number. In July 1932, the NSDAP becomes the largest party with 37% of the votes. Members of the SA (Storm Troopers) march through the streets singing anti-Semitic songs. The Jews in Germany are blamed for all the country’s problems.
Procession by Torchlight
A torchlight procession of members of the SA in Berlin on January 30, 1933.
I can remember that as early as 1932, groups of Storm Troopers came marching by singing: ‘When Jewish blood splatters from the knife.
Otto Frank
Speechless and Stunned
When Adolf Hitler becomes the head of the German government on January 30, 1933, Otto and Edith Frank are visiting friends. Otto Frank describes that moment: “We were sitting around the table listening to the radio. Then came the news that Hitler had become Chancellor. This was followed by a report of the Brownshirt’s torch lit procession in Berlin and we could hear the screaming and cheering. Hitler ended his speech with the words: ‘Just give me four years.' Our host then said enthusiastically: ‘Let’s see what that man can do!’ I was speechless, my wife stunned.”
Hitler Chancellor of Germany
Adolf Hitler (left) becomes Chancellor on January 30, 1933. A democratic Germany is transformed into a dictatorship.