The Nazi Road to Dictatorship 1932-1933 Flashcards
Geography and domination:
Nazi support was higher in the north and east which reflected factors such as religion and degree of urbanisation. Protestants were more likely to vote Nazi than Catholic and they gained more support in rural and residential suburbs. The Nazi vote was at its lowest in the Catholic cities of Cologne and Dusseldorf in the west, Bavaria (birth place of Nazism had one of the lowest votes).
Creation of a Nazi mass movement: July 1932 election
Achievements very impressive considering no party could really ever get a majority due to proportional representation and the number of parties. They got 13,745,000 votes (37.%) - they became the largest party and had become a mass movement.
Class
Nazis tended to win higher votes from: peasants and farmers, the ‘Mittelstand’ and established middle-classes. A significantly higher proportion of the middle-class subsections tended to join the Nazi party than other classes. Saying this, the working class represented the largest sector of NSDAP but they joined in smaller proportions.
The appeal of Nazism: Why did the Catholics and Socialists not vote for them?
1) Both represented well-established ideologies in their own right and opposed Nazism on an intellectual level.
2) Organisational strength of each movement provided an effective counter to Nazi propaganda.
3) Both movements had suffered under the Kaiserreich - persecution strengthened commitment.
The ‘Politics of Anxiety’
A common feature in Nazi voters was their lack of confidence in the Weimar System. For many of the middle-class, the crisis of 1929-1933 was merely the climax of a series of disasters since 1918. Hitler was able to exploit what he referred to as the ‘politics of anxiety’ - Hitler could offer escape from the crisis.
The Young
The depression was at the time that the pre-war baby boom were becoming young adults - many of whom had little chances of finding work. 41.3% of those who joined the party before 1933 were born between 1904 and 1913. Despite this age group only representing 25.3% of the population, 61% of 20-30 year olds joined the party. They filled the ranks of the SA, they saw it as a movement of change.
Nazism: the people’s party?
Unlike other parties, they were not regionally or religiously tied. They were Germany’ first ‘volkspartie’ (people’s party) in 1932. Hitler succeeded in appealing to all areas of German society.
Nazi political methods: propaganda
Propaganda was highly organised - from April 1930 Joseph Goebbels was in charge. It reached right down to branch level - instructions could adapt to local circumstances, regions could be financially prioritised and encourage grass-roots feedback.
Propaganda - canvassing:
Goebbels initiated a new approach - the electorate was deluged with material that had a range of propaganda techniques and a sophisticated application. He recognised the need to direct propaganda according to people’s social and economic interests. For example they appealed to farmers by offering benefits to offset the collapse of prices.
Propaganda - technology:
Modern technology was exploited - loudspeaker, radio and film were all used. Aeroplanes were hired so Hitler could attend as many rallies and speeches as possible.
Propaganda - mass suggestion:
Mass rallies were at the height of propaganda. The idea was to create an atmosphere so emotional that all members would succumb to a collective will. Uniforms, torches and music were all used to emphasise this.
Propaganda - scapegoats:
Nazism cynically played on this. It focused on several groups to blame for Germany’s suffering. The ‘November criminals’ (responsible for the armistice), the Communists who people feared, the Jews - easy to exploit due to history of anti-semitism.
Propaganda - violence:
Growth in unemployment resulted in a huge expansion of the SA led by Rohm, in 1921-3 and 1930-4. Many people joined out of desperation. They were mainly responsible for violence against the opposition (especially the Communists).
Propaganda - violence - July 1932:
During the election campaign of July 1932 there were 461 political riots in Prussia alone - battles between the Communists and Nazis on 10 July 1932 left 10 people dead. Such violence was encouraged by the Nazi leadership as the control of the streets was needed to expand power.
