Karl Harrer
| Karl Harrer | |
|---|---|
| Reich Chairman of the DAP | |
| In office 1919–1920 | |
| Leader | Anton Drexler |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 October 1890 |
| Died | 5 September 1926 (aged 35) |
| Nationality | German |
| Political party | DAP |
| Occupation | Politician |
Karl Harrer (8 October 1890 - 5 September 1926) was a German journalist and politician, one of the founding members of the "Deutsche Arbeiterpartei" (German Workers' Party, DAP) in January 1919, the predecessor to the Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei (National Socialist German Workers Party – NSDAP); more commonly known as the Nazi Party.
Biography
Harrer was "commissioned" by the Thule Society to try and politically influence German workers in Munich after the end of World War I. At the time, Harrer was a reporter with a "right-wing" newspaper. Along with Anton Drexler and several others, they formed the Politischer Arbeiterzirkel (Political Workers' Circle) in 1918.[1] The members met periodically for discussions with themes of nationalism, and racism directed against the Jews.[1] Although Harrer preferred that the small group remain a semi-secret nationalistic club, Drexler wanted to make it a political party.[1] Thereafter, Drexler proposed the founding of the DAP in December, 1918. On 5 January 1919 the DAP was formed, in which not only Harrer and Drexler but also Gottfried Feder and Dietrich Eckart were involved. With the DAP founding, Drexler was elected chairman and Harrer was made "Reich Chairman", an honorary title.[2] The DAP was the predecessor to the Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei (National Socialist German Workers Party – NSDAP); commonly known as the Nazi Party.[3]
Early in 1920, Karl Harrer was forced out of the DAP as Hitler moved to sever the party's link with the Thule Society, which subsequently fell into decline and was dissolved about five years later,[4] well before Hitler came to power.
Karl Harrer died, not quite 36, of natural causes in Munich.
See also
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Kershaw 2008, p. 82.
- ↑ Kershaw 2008, pp. 82, 83.
- ↑ Kershaw 2008, pp. 82, 83, 87.
- ↑ Goodrick-Clarke 1985, p. 221
References
- Goodrick-Clarke, Nicholas. 1985. The Occult Roots of Nazism: The Ariosophists of Austria and Germany 1890-1935. Wellingborough, England: The Aquarian Press. ISBN 0-85030-402-4.
- Kershaw, Ian (2008). Hitler: A Biography. New York: W. W. Norton & Company. ISBN 978-0-393-06757-6.
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