Reasons for the growth in support for the Nazi Party

• What was the perception of the Weimar Republic during its existence?

  It seemed weak.
• What scapegoat did Nazi policies offer during the crisis in Germany?

  The Jewish people.
• How did the Treaty of Versailles contribute to the Nazi appeal?

  It was blamed for Germany's problems, making Nazi policies seem relevant.
• How did Hitler use propaganda to capitalize on the crisis in Germany?

  He used aeroplanes to speak in as many cities as possible.
• What was the role of the SA in the Nazi campaigns?

  They gave an appearance of organization and disrupted rival campaigns.
• How did the number of SA stormtroopers compare to the Communists Red Front Fighters?

  The SA outnumbered them by 3 to 1.
• What effect did the violence caused by the SA have on public perception of the Weimar Republic?

  It added to the sense of chaos under the Weimar Republic.
• Why did businessmen support the Nazis?

  They believed the Nazis were an effective defense against Communism.
• Who were some wealthy businessmen that donated to the Nazi Party?

  Benz and Krupp.
• What role did Alfred Hugenberg play in Nazi propaganda?

  He allowed Goebbels to use his newspapers for propaganda.
• What promises did the Nazis make to attract working-class voters?

  They promised work and bread.
• Why did the Nazis appeal to the middle classes after the Wall Street Crash?

  They saw the Nazis as a defense against Communism.
• What did the Nazis promise farmers in 1928?

  To reverse their policy of confiscating private land, except if owned by Jewish people.
• What percentage of the vote did the Nazis win in some rural areas in 1930?

  60%.
• How did young voters perceive the Nazis?

  They seemed exciting and colorful.
• What claim did the Nazis make to attract women voters?

  They claimed to be the best protection for the family.
• What was the main advantage of the Nazi Party compared to other political parties in Germany?

  • There was something for everyone in the Nazi Party.
  • Other parties mainly appealed to particular interest groups.
• The Weimar Republic seemed weak, and the appeal of a strong leader like Hitler became attractive.
• Nazi policies of offering a scapegoat (in the form of the Jewish people), and blaming Germany’s problems on

  the stab in the back and the Treaty of Versailles suddenly seemed a lot more relevant in a time of crisis.
• Hitler capitalised on the crisis with effective propaganda, using aeroplanes to speak in as many cities as possible.
• The uniformed SA also gave an appearance of organisation, but more importantly they were able to disrupt the campaigns of their rivals. The 400,000 stormtroopers outnumbered the Communists Red Front Fighters by 3 to 1 and the violence they caused at rival meetings added to the sense of chaos under the Weimar Republic.
• Hitler won over businessmen who were increasingly convinced the Nazis were an effective defence against Communism. Wealthy businessmen like Benz and Krupp donated to the Party and Alfred Hugenberg, a newspaper owner, allowed Goebbels to use his newspapers for propaganda.
• The Nazis won some working class voters with promises of work and bread.
• Nazis had more success with the middle classes who had lost savings, pensions and businesses after the Wall Street Crash and saw the Nazis as a defence against Communism.
• The Nazis won earlier support from farmers in 1928 when they promised to reverse their policy of confiscating private land, except if owned by Jewish people. The Nazis won 60% of the vote in some rural areas in 1930.
• For many young voters the Nazis seemed exciting and colourful.
• Some women were won over by the Nazi claim of being the best protection for the family.
• The main Nazi advantage, as reflected in their Party name, was that there was something for everyone, unlike the other parties, who mainly appealed to particular interest groups.