Hitler and his followers

How Hitler and the Nazi gained popularity

● Used the Germans animosity towards the Treaty of Versailles● Broke up communist meetings

○ Won approval of those who feared of becoming a communist country

● Promised farmers a better quality of life● Stated he would tear up the Treaty of Versailles and rebuild their

military strength ● Promised to make Germany great again● Was able to ignite a sense of belief in the German people

cont.● Economy was in shambles and the German people wanted change● Appeal to the middle/working class● Use of propaganda● Created an image of a powerful party with strong leadership (what

Germans wanted)● Blamed jews for WW1 & promised to get rid of them● Told and showed the German people what they wanted to hear and

see● Were flexible in their views and willing to compromise● Made promises that would benefit every sector of the population

Why German people supported Hitler● They feared communism● Wanted a change from their current government, which they

viewed as a failure.● Lack of political opposition● Fear to oppose● The way propaganda depicted him

○ There were portraits of him in schools and homes● He was a great orator and created a new enthusiasm for Germany● Social conformity/peer pressure

Example

https://www.quora.com/How-did-Hitler-come-to-power

Reasons why there was so little opposition in the 1930’s/ Why Germans did not Oppose

● Communist leaders were arrested due to the “Decree or protection of people and state”

● Opposition was made harder by the “Malicious Practices Law”, which prohibited outspoken criticisms of the regime.

● There was so much intimidation that the bishops withdrew their opposition as well.

● The dissolution of the free trade unions in May 1933 was followed by the burning of the books in university towns across germany and the intimidation of all non Nazi-political groups.

● In June 1933, the SPD (democratic party) was banned.

● The potential for Catholic opposition was further diminished by the Concordat between the Nazi state and the Catholic Church.

● The Marburg speech given by Von Papen in June 1933 showed opposition from within conservatives elites exited. However, this opposition was destroyed by the “Night of Long Knives”, when leading conservatives, like Edgar Jung, were murdered.

● The oath of personal allegiance to Hitler, sworn by the army in 1934, minimised the likelihood of any other opposition.

● Security services looked for underground opposition: In March 1935 underground leader of the KPD (Communist Party) was arrested.

● In May 1935, the SPD group “Germania” were eliminated ● In August, members of another SPD group “ Neu Beginnen” were arrested. ● Overall, People were intensely intimidated by the party that they either didn’t

bother to oppose or were too scared to. Anyhow, if they did oppose they would quickly be put down.

What best explains Hitler’s popularity from 1933-1939?

● Many factors contributed to Hitler’s Popularity○ Poor economy○ Powerful speaker○ Targeting youth○ Oppression of opposition/ terror○ Propaganda

● Poor Economy○ When in an economic depression, people usually look for change in their government○ Hitler promised change, and blamed many of Germany’s problems on the Jews, which he

spoke of getting rid of them

Cont.

● Powerful speaker○ Hitler is famous for his ability to sway people in the way of speech○ Many described his voice as powerful and “spell binding” ○ Hitler was able to win over the approval of many with his speeches, appealing to the people

of germany and their problems○ Hitler would write his own speeches and edit them many times over, working hard into the

night to make sure they were perfect

● Targeting of Youth○ During his rule, Hitler targeted Germany’s youth, with the belief that they were the future of

Nazi Germany○ “The weak must be chiselled away. I want young men and women who can suffer pain. A

young German must be as swift as a greyhound, as tough as leather, and as hard as Krupp’s steel”r

Cont

● Targeting youth (cont)○ He opened up clubs that had the children do fun activities○ Kids were being singled out for not joining, and eventually, it became compulsory for

children to join the Nazi Youth● Oppression of opposition

○ People were expected to respect Hitler as a very good dictator (Fuhrer)○ Many spies were throughout German towns and cities, and if someone spoke ill of the Nazi

regime or Hitler, they would likely be reported to the Gestapo, who jailed and killed people○ People were terrified of being heard disrespecting the Nazis or Hitler, and were suspicious of

even their friends and family○ Hitler wouldn’t kill thousands for terror, but just enough to get the message across

Cont

● Propaganda○ Hitler made good use of propaganda○ He had all books speaking ill of Germany burned publicly○ Hitler’s posters speaking of his success were everywhere, and if not, then you could hear

speeches over loud speakers○ He convinced many of Germany’s youth that he was a great man through this method

● Conclusion:○ It is difficult to say or pick one primary reason as to Hitler’s popularity between 1933 and

1939. Every aspect was very important. Arguably, he would not have gotten to where he was in 1933 without his speaking skills, but everything else was still vital. The poor state of Germany’s economy with the promise of change, the influence on youth, his use of terror, and the propaganda.