Rise of the Nazis - Performance in Elections

Question 1

Performance in Elections
May 1924 - 1930

Answer 1

• In May of 1924, the Nazis gained 6.5% of national votes in a Reichstag election. However, In December of that year their share of votes began and continued declining until 1930.

✓ After hyperinflation, support for extremist groups like the Nazis increased due to panic over another potential crisis, causing an increase in votes.

x However, the Nazis votes began declining after Hitler was arrested and sentenced to prison, which many argue that caused a fall in vote due to a lack of his leadership.

Question 2

Performance in Elections
September 1930 - July 1932

Answer 2

• In September of 1930, an early election was held where the Nazis gained upsurge of votes, gaining 18.3% of the vote. In July of 1932, the Nazis saw another major upsurge, accumulating 37.3% of the vote.

✓ By 1930, the Great Depression had hit Germany and with it an increase of support for extremist groups, causing an increase in votes for the Nazis.

x However, this was also the most amount of votes the Nazis ever gained

Question 3

Performance in Elections
March 1932 - March 1933

Answer 3

• In March of 1932, a presidential election was held where Hindenburg won majority vote in a run off election. However, a year later in 1933, The Nazis saw their high-point in support, gaining 44% of the vote.

✓ Hindenburg winning the run off election promoted Nazis further and gained them more publicity, gaining them support.

x However, Hindenburg still won majority vote, proving to have more support than the Nazis.

Question 4

Historians - Peter Fritzsche

Answer 4

Peter Fritzsche: The Great Depression “speeded up the Nazi gains after 1929”