Summary 5 - How did the Nazi's achieve electoral success? Flashcards
Hitler ensured that he had a position of absolute power over policy and strategy. Hitler had defeated the more socialist inclined challengers to his leadership by which year?
1926
How did Hitler and Goebbels use propaganda?
They used propaganda to target specific grievances and to tailor different messages to different audiences.
Why did Hitler help to gain support for the Nazi’s?
He provided charismatic leadership. His passion to rebuild Germany was infectious and inspiring and his speeches impressed listeners and gave people faith.
What did Nazi rallies and SA marches show?
Nazi rallies and SA marches showed discipline and order, which attracted many voters.
What was the main focus of Nazi propaganda in 1932?
Unemployment and the failures of democracy were the focus of Nazi propaganda. The messages resonated with voters and helped the Nazi’s gain popularity.
How significant was anti-semitism in attracting voters to the Nazi’s?
Anti-semitism was not one of the main reasons why voters were drawn to Nazism, many people voted for the Nazi’s in spite of their anti-semitism rather than because of it.
The Nazi’s set up a series of organisations for each profession, why was the Nazi Welfare Organisation so significant?
The Nazi Welfare Organisation ran soup kitchens, this was an example of ‘Volksgemeinschaft’ (Peoples’ Community) in action.
This organisation allowed the Nazi’s to exploit the Great Depression and gain the support of those who had suffered most from the economic downturn.
Nazi local propaganda was well organised. Who did the Nazi’s target with communities and what was the impact of this?
The Nazis targeted influential people in a community (e.g. a teacher). They played a part in growing membership of the party and then organising door-to-door campaigning.
How many speakers did the Nazi’s train and provide with booklets on the party’s policy?
6,000
What was the impact of the Nazi speakers in local areas?
Many people joined the Nazi’s after contact with well trained speakers..
Give some examples of the promises that the Nazi’s made to voters?
- to restore hope
- to create a national community for all Germans
- Economic problems would be solved and the people would get bread and work
- True German peasants and small traders would be saved from ‘the clutch of Jewish moneylenders’
- Strong leadership would replace feeble democracy
- The Nazis would destroy the Treaty of Versailles, communism and end Jewish influence and reparations
- Germany would be restored to a great nation again.
Why was nationalism key to the appeal of the Nazi’s.
Many people were attracted to the nationalist Nazi policies. Furthermore, nationalism allowed the Nazi’s to appeal to a wide range of Germans.
When was the SA formed and why?
The SA was formed in 1920
They were initially set up to protect Nazi speakers.
How many SA members were there in 1933?
500,000
Why were many young men attracted to the SA?
The SA attracted young men for different reasons – hatred of communism, ex-military looking for a new purpose, bullies, many were unemployed. They were provided with a uniform (brown shirt), meals and a sense of comradeship.
