Rise of the Nazis3. The Appeal of the

Nazi Party

Higher History

Our aim:

To understand why the Nazis did so well in elections after 1930.

Why did they gain more support than democratic parties and other extremists?

The Appeal of the Nazis

To understand the appeal of the Nazis you must look at two factors

1. Nazi policies – what they promised the German people

2. Nazi party presentation = how they put their message across e.g. uniforms, propaganda, speeches, rallies etc.

Nazi Policies• Literally, the NSDAP had policies to appeal to

every major group – but in particular to the important and influential middle class.

• They played on people’s fears and suspicions of Weimar e.g. ‘Stab in the back’, Versailles, the Depression, lack of law & order etc.

• The Nazi party promises were the things that Weimar had failed to do and that German people worried about

How appealing were Nazi policies compared to their extremist rivals?KPD NSDAP

• Atheist• Violent reputation e.g.

Spartacist Revolt 1919• Wanted Russian style

communist dictatorship• Want forced equality,

everyone would work at same wage

• Want equal society in which better off would be stripped of their wealth

• Protect religion• German patriotism/love

country• You (Germans) are the

elite• Protect the family• Stand up to communism• Protect law and order• Protection of women• Create jobs• Protect homes• Importance of the young

Nazi Promises• To the 6 million unemployed and low wage

earners, the Nazis promised jobs, good wages and a better standard of living e.g. cheaper food and a fairer share of national wealth.

• To farmers facing bankruptcy due to the agricultural slump, they promised support against falling food prices, fair prices for their goods, lower rents and taxes.

• Most of all they would be protected from the “Jewish banks” looking to seize their land because of unpaid bills.

Nazi Promises

• To the middle class businessmen and industrialists, hit hard by the Depression, they promised orders for goods and services, reduction of trade union power and with this lower wages for workers, destruction of communism and an end to the economic power of the Jews.

Nazi Promises

• To the youth who had no faith in weak coalition governments, they promised strong leadership and hope for the future instead of despair.

• To nationalists and conservatives, they promised an end to the Versailles Treaty, rebuilding of the armed forces and restoration of Germany’s greatness.

Nazi Promises

• To women they promised a return to ‘family values’ and that a Nazi Germany would be a wonderful place to raise a family.

• Hitler said women were important and targeted women voters – this made them feel valued

Analysis

• As the Nazi Party wanted to maximise votes – they had policies that appealed to all social classes.

• e.g. jobs for the working class.• e.g. crushing Communism as well as law &

order for middle class.• e.g. crushing the communists and trade unions

for the rich• The Nazi party’s policies were designed to

appeal to the widest demographic possible thus increasing their votes

Nazi Presentation=Propaganda• Dr Goebbels’ skilful propaganda included slogans in posters, newspapers and speeches. Simple messages had an emotional appeal – e.g. promise of ‘work and bread’. They repeated what large sections of society wanted to hear.

• Alfred Hugenburg – owner of a chain of cinemas and newspapers gave the Nazis financial support through a group of businessmen called the Harzburg Front.

• Hitler: Speeches enthused, strong leadership. He was a talented speaker with strong personal appeal and will power.

• Swastika flag = distinctive symbol.• Brown uniforms: made Nazis

distinctive and disciplined, looked purposeful and orderly in a time of chaos = like an army.

• Other parties private armies e.g. the Communist Red Front Brigade looked shabby in their ordinary clothes

• Nazi rallies: gathered support, made Nazis noticed.

Analysis

• The German people wanted an alternative government – Propaganda made Nazi Party stand out from others.

• Uniforms and marches made Nazis seem everything Weimar wasn’t – strong, determined, organised in a time of chaos.

Click on picture to view video clip

Key points:

• Nazi policies = for ALL• Propaganda made the Nazi Party

STAND OUT

Homework

• Construct a revision note on ‘The Appeal of the Nazis’. Include information on:

1. Nazi Policies2. Nazi Propaganda