Growth in support for the Nazis 1929-32
Nazis ideas
Anti-Semitism
Hitler claimed that the wealth of the Jews was a result of 'stealing' from the German people
Many people did not like Jews because they were rich and successful
Easy target to blame for the defeat of WW1
Aryan superiority
Hitler claimed that Aryans were German people who were superior to the Jews
The idea made people feel more good about themselves
Generally, people liked this idea
Propaganda
This idea was that everyone would be able to understand what the Nazis were saying
Nazis targeted different kind of people
Hitler told the middle and upper class that the Nazis were the only party that could stop the communists from getting into power
Hitler told the working class that he would provide them with basic help - "work and bread". As this was a desperate time this is what they wanted to hear
Hitler told women that he supported traditional family values and also stated that women would have a key role if the Nazis got into power
Financial support
Industrialists such as Krupp and Bosch gave money to the Nazis and this helped them print 600,000 copies of the Nazi economic programme
People voted for the Nazis because they could understand exactly what the Nazis stood for and how the Nazis would try and rescue Germany
As a result, Nazis were able to communicate their message to a large amount of people
Germany were able to produce massive propaganda programmes
German voters could hear about Nazi beliefs everywhere
This was crucial because there were 4 elections in the space of 11 months
The Nazis could then afford to fight in all elections because their financial funding and resources
Economic problems
German unemployment rose up to 6 million people by 1932
Because of these economic problems. people were unhappy and wanted change
Germans began to believe that extreme and radical solutions were needed to solve these problems as well as saving Germany
Because most families were out of work and starving, many feared it would happen to them to, so they thought it was vital change occured
Charisma
Hitler was a charismatic person and he inspired millions of German people through speeches
Crowds of rallies were thrilled by his personality and his message
He spoke to thousands of people at his mass rallies
As a result, the Nazis were able to portray Hitler as a saviour. People believed that Hitler could save Germany because they believed what he had to say
Fear of communism
Nazis exploited middle class fears about communism
Propaganda focused on the idea that only the Nazis could stop the communists from taking control of Germany
SA fought street battles with RFB
Hitler pointed out that the support for the KPD was increasing every election (By 1932 there were 100 communists deputies ion the Reichstag
As a result, many middle class people became very afraid that the Communists might get into power
Since this would involve people with property losing most of their wealth, power and status, these middle class people became much more likely to support the Nazis
Political chaos
: The moderate political parties failed to provide political solutions
The SPD and the Centre Party fell out in 1930, breaking the Weimar coalition
is led to a situation where the Reichstag stopped making laws, because all the main parties disagreed about how to react to the economic situation
This led to a situation where ordinary Germans totally lost faith in moderate political parties
They saw Germany in trouble and the moderate politicians squabbling among themselves. Germans decided that the moderate Weimar parties would no longer be able to rescue Germany. These people turned to extremist parties, like the Nazis, for help.