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The appeal of Nazism and Communism (Nazi ideology (A racial community…
The appeal of Nazism and Communism
Nazi ideology
The power of the will
Hitler presented himself and the Nazi movement as being a force for change in Germany
Nazi propaganda claimed that power, strength and determination to succeed were qualities personified by Hitler
The Nazi movement, with its parades of SA, presented an image of discipline and unity that would sweep all opponents aside
A racial community
Volksgemeinschaft= people's community
only Aryans could be citizens, all others wouldn't have this right and would be a 'subject' of the state
there would be no social classes and everyone would have equal chances to find own level in society
all would work together for the good of the nation, thereby demonstrating their commitment to common 'German values', and in return would benefit from access to employment and welfare benefits
aimed for a cultural and social revolution
blood and soil
National socialism
adopted title of National Socialist German Worker's Party to gain working-class support
based off 25 point plan, called for the confiscation of war profits, the nationalisation of large monopoly companies and the confiscation of land from the large estates without compensation to the landowners
Hitler never really committed to the ideologies from the 25 point plan
1929 Hitler sought the support of wealthy businessmen such as Hugenburg
the Fuhrerprinzip
Hitler set out to destroy Weimar Republic because it was a paramilitary democracy, weak, ineffective and alien to traditions of strong authoritarian gov
believed parliamentary democracy encouraged growth of communism
aggressive nationalism
1- to reverse humiliation of T of V and restore land
2- establish a 'Greater German Reich' in which all Germans would live within borders of the state
3- secure Germany's
Lebensraum
(living space) to settle its people and pride it with the food and raw materials needed to sustain its great power
aggressive form of nationalism, wanted to restore but also expand territory, justified by Hitler's racial theories and belief in necessity of struggle
anti-semitism
Jews responsible for evils of capitalism and growth of communism
responsible for German defeat in WW1
The importance of Hitler to Nazi success
possessed great charisma
powerful speeches which went on for hours
knew how to play on emotions and fears
opportunist- would tailor messages for specific audiences, mass appeal vital to success of Nazis in winning votes
role of anti-semitism in Nazi electoral success
used Jews as scapegoats
many people who voted for Nazis in 1932 did so in spite of Nazi's anti-Semitism
rapid expansion of SA also encouraged radical anti-Semitism, who often beat up Jews in the street
most Nazi propaganda in 1932 had little or nothing to do with anti-Semitism
The role of propaganda in Nazi electoral success
Joseph Goebbels=Reich Propaganda Chief from 1928
money provided by big business leaders e.g. Hugenberg meant Hitler could travel by air and car to make speeches in all main cities in Germany
had own newspaper and published posters and leaflets
the appeal of communism
KPD gained 2 million votes 1928-1932
1920s KPD concentrated on building a strong presence in factories and workshops where trade union membership was well established
after 1929 party was forced by economic circumstances to focus on the unemployed
set up 'committees of the unemployed', staged hunger marches and agitated against benefit cuts
wild cliques of working-class youths into communist-led campaign against the police, reform schools and labour exchange
Red Front Fighter's League was engaged in frequent battles with Nazis, SA and police, as communists presented themselves as defenders of working-class districts against Nazis
Policies and ideology of communism
demanded end to cuts in unemployment benefits and wages, and advocated close cooperation with USSR, the end of military spending and the establishment of a workers' state
ultimate aim= to overthrow Weimar Republic
viewed Depression as catalyst to a worker's revolution
wanted to replace SPD as leading part on the left
Strengths of Communism
communist propagea e.g. posters and speeches emphasising class struggle
'Bread and Freedom
posters emphasising KPD links with USSR and its belief in internationalism
Weaknesses of communism
KPD never came close to launching successful revolution
more than 50% of its new members in 1932 left within a few months
failed to attract support outside the main industrial areas and had limited appeal amongst women
high proportion of members were unemployed so party had little money