Political methods of the Nazis.

Question 1

Propaganda.

Answer 1

• The Nazis process of propaganda was extremely organised.
• In the 1930’s, Josef Goebbles was promoted to head of the party’s propaganda.
• Instructions were sent out and adapted to different local circumstances in different electoral districts.

Question 2

Canvassing - Posters & Leaflets.

Answer 2

• Goebbles recognised propaganda should be directed at people’s social and economic interests.
• Specific leaflets and posters were made for different social groups, e.g.
  -> unemployed and workers = they aimed to overcome the depression and offered bread and work.
  -> farmers = they offered benefits to offset the collapse of agricultural prices.
  -> industrialists = they played down the fear of nationalism and state control of the economy.

Question 3

Mass suggestion - organisation of mass rallies.

Answer 3

• The idea was to create an atmosphere so emotional that all members of a crowd would succumb to the collective will.
• The Nazis used many devises like uniforms, torches, music, salutes, flags, anthems and speeches.

Question 4

Scapegoats.

Answer 4

• The Nazis denounced and blamed certain groups for Germany’s suffering.
• “November Criminals” = the politicians responsible for the armistace and creation of the Republic were blamed for all the failings of the Weimar democracy.
• “Communists” = they played on the fear of communism through the KPD and the USSR.
• “Jews” = it was easy to exploit the long history of anti - semitism in Europe and Germany.

Question 5

Violence.

Answer 5

• The growth of the SA and SS unleashed a huge wave of violence and intimidation.
• The SA was mainly responsible for the violence against the opposition, especially the communists.
• During the campaign in July in 1932 there were 461 political riots in Prussia alone : battles between communists and Nazis on July 10th left 10 dead and a week later 19 died after a Nazi march through Hamberg.

Question 6

The Stennes’ Revolt.

Answer 6

• Walther Stennes, leader of the Berlin SA, rebelled against Hitler’s orders to act legally and limit violence.
• Hitler defeated the revolt with a small purge, but the revolt showed that the relationship between the SA and Nazi leadership could be very difficult.
• These differences weren’t solved until the Night of the Long Knives in 1934 when Hitler ordered the SS to purge the SA leadership
  -> around 200 victims were murdered.