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Why did German people vote for the Nazis?

Nazi Campaigning Methods
  • Posters & Pamphlets
    • Used simple, bold slogans and emotional imagery (e.g., anti-Treaty of Versailles, anti-Communist, pro-Hitler).
    • Mass-produced and widely distributed to reach illiterate or rural voters.
  • Mass Rallies
    • Organised, dramatic, and disciplined events that showcased unity and strength.
    • Created excitement and gave the impression of a powerful movement.
  • Speeches
    • Hitler was a charismatic speaker who drew huge crowds.
    • Travelled across Germany, sometimes speaking in multiple cities per day via airplane.
  • Newspapers
    • Nazi-owned papers like Völkischer Beobachter and Der Angriff spread Nazi messages.
    • Attacked opponents, promoted Hitler, and reinforced Nazi ideology.
  • Targeted Messaging
    • Promises were tailored to each group:
      • Farmers: protection from debt and Communism.
      • Workers: jobs and bread.
      • Middle class: stability and protection from Communists.
      • Nationalists: strong leadership, military pride, reversal of Versailles.

🎯 Why People Supported the Nazis
Fear of Communism - The Communist Party (KPD) was strong and growing.
  • Nazis warned Communists would:
    • Start a revolution.
    • Abolish private property.
    • Destroy German culture.
  • Many middle-class citizens and business owners turned to the Nazis for protection.

🤝 Negative Cohesion
  • Many Germans supported the Nazis not for their policies, but because:
  • They shared the Nazis’ enemies (e.g., Communists, Jews, Weimar politicians).
  • Nazis were seen as the only group “doing something” against these threats.

📉 Disillusionment with Democracy
  • The Weimar government seemed chaotic and unable to solve the crisis.
  • Coalition governments often failed to agree on policies.
  • Between 1930–1932, Chancellor Heinrich Brüning:
  • Used Article 48 (emergency powers) over 100 times.
  • Couldn’t pass laws through the Reichstag — bypassed democracy.
  • Became known as the “Hunger Chancellor” due to harsh austerity:
  • Cut benefits, raised taxes, reduced wages — worsening the Depression.
  • Many Germans lost faith in democracy and looked for a strong, decisive leader like Hitler.

🎭 Attacking Weimar 'Decadence'
  • Nazis criticised Weimar culture as:
  • Immoral (e.g. cabarets, liberal values).
  • Unpatriotic and "un-German."
  • Promised a return to:
  • Traditional values, discipline, national pride, and family structure.

💤 Weak Opposition
  • Moderate parties (SPD, Centre Party) were:
  • Divided, uninspiring, and unable to unite against the Nazi threat.
  • KPD and SPD (left-wing rivals) spent more time attacking each other than the Nazis.
  • No party matched the scale, message, or energy of Nazi campaigning.

📊 Nazi Electoral Growth (1928–1933)
1928       12~2.6%Small party before Depression.
Sept 1930  107~18%Big gain after Wall Street Crash.
July 1932  230~37%Largest party in the Reichstag.
Nov 1932   196~33%Slight decline, but still dominant.
March 1933 288~44%After Hitler became Chancellor.