Though this book is not meant to be a detailed history of Nazi Germany, a certain familiarity with the political climate of pre-World War Two Germany and the rise of the Nazi regime is helpful in understanding the origins of the armed branch of the SS — the Waffen-SS. During the 1920s and 1930s, Bavaria was a scene of political unrest in which many political parties competed for control of the government. One group, the German Workers" Party (DAP), was growing in popularity. In 1920 a World War One veteran, Adolf Hitler, became the leader of the party, changing its name to the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP). more commonly referred to as the Nazi Party. A special strong-arm unit was organized from within the party to prevent disruption of its meetings. This group of toughs was given the title of Sturmabteilung (Storm Detachment), or SA.