Question

Discuss why Nazism became popular in Germany by 1930.

Answer 1

• The background behind the rise of Hitlers rise to power was the crisis in society, polity and economy.
• Till the early 1930s, the Nazis could not effectively mobilise popular support.
• Nazism became a mass movement during the great depression.
• The middle classes were threatened with destitution, workers lost their jobs, businesses shut down, and banks collapsed after 1929.
• People had lost pride due to the political crisis and due to loss of dignity.
• The hopes of a better future was stirred by Nazi propaganda.
• Nazi propaganda skilfully projected Hitler as a saviour, who will save people from their distress.
• In the German parliament (Reichstag), the Nazi party did not get more than 2.6% votes, but by 1932, the Nazi party secured 37 per cent votes and become the largest party.
• People were moved by the speeches of Hitler.
• Hitler promised a secure future to the youth of Germany, he promised them employment, he promised to restore the dignity of the German people, undo the injustice of the Versailles Treaty, and promised to build a strong nation.
• He promised to resist all foreign ‘conspiracies’ against Germany and he promised to weed out all foreign influences.