The appeal of Nazism and Communism. Flashcards
In the 1930 election what groups did the NSDAP support expand to?
Before 1929- Mittlestand, white-collar workers, small shopkeepers, independent craftsmen.
Main gains: Middle class and the farmers.
How did the nazis gain the farmers support?
Exploiting the widespread discontent among farmers by promising higher prices and protection against imports.
How did the nazis gain the middle class support?
The middle class were worried by the perceived threat of a communist revolution.
Where was the nazi support the strongest, geographically, in 1930?
Protestant north, east and center of Germany, but were less successful in the Catholic south/west.
How long was Hindenburg president and when did that end?
Seven years, 1925-32.
Who was running for president in 1932?
Hindenburg (hesitant)
Thalmann (KPD)
Hitler
Duesterberg (right wing)
Why was there a second ballot in the 1932 election?
Hindenburg fell just short of 50%, in the second ballot Duesterberg was no longer a candidate.
What did hitler do to try and win more votes in the second 1932 ballot?
Rented an aeroplane and flew all over Germany presenting himself as a national saviour.
Who won the 1932 election?
Hindenburg with 53%, Hitler received 37% of the vote.
What were the findings of the state elections in 1932 (not presidential)?
Nazis were the most popular party.
Where were the communists’ supporters mainly?
Large cities and the poorest areas of cities such as Berlin, especially among the unemployed.
In the 1930 election what % of Nazi voters were manual labourers?
27%
In what was the Nazi policy first put forward?
Twenty-five point programme of 1920. Hitler did not agree with many of its points…
Mein Kampf in terms of Nazi ideology:
Hitlers ideas where not original nor were they coherent or consistent, as he modified his policy statements according to the audience he was addressing.
What image dud the Nazis and stormtroopers wish to present?
Discipline and unity that would sweep all opponents aside.
What was hitlers justification for his view on conflict between races?
It was scientific and part of the natural order of things.
What did H think war would help with?
It would reconstruct German society and create a new German Reich.p
How did Nazis propaganda portray war?
Glorified the military virtues of courage, loyalty and self-sacrifice, and the SA was projected as an organisation that gave German males the opportunity to demonstrate their manliness.
What was Hitler’s definition of a people’s community of ‘Volksgemeinschaft’?
A state based on racial community. Only Aryans could be citizens of the state, the others would be denied the rights of citizenship and its benefits.
What was Hitlers idea for the ‘real community of the people’ (aryans)?
No social classes and all Germans would have equal chances to find their own level in society. All would work together for the good of the nation, thereby demonstrating their commitment to German values.
What was the Nazis objective of a new man/woman?
Individuals who would have awareness of the importance of their race, the strength of character to work unselfishly for the common good.
What are the similarities between the communists and nazis, how did they try to change it?
Called the NSDAP to differentiate themselves from the international socialism of the communist party. 25 point programme were similar to the policies of the communists and socialists.
Why was Hitler set out to destroy the Weimar Republic?
Because it was a parliamentary democracy, a system he viewed as weak, ineffective and alien to Germany’s traditions of strong, authoritarian government.
What did Hitler believe parliamentary democracy encouraged?
Growth of communism, a greater evil. He believed democracy was jewish .
