Download 3 Rise Nazis appeal

Rise of the Nazis
3. 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
• 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
NSDAP
• 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 Policies
2. Nazi Propaganda