10) the appeal of Nazism and communism

• Nazis vote increase


  by 24.7% in 1932
• KPD (communist) votes increase

  increased by 3.7% by 1932
• how many votes did Nazis get in rural constituencies in north-west Germany in 1930

  68%
• what percentage of Nazi voters in 1930 were manual labourers?

  27%
• Key themes of Nazi propaganda

  - Power of the Will

  - Struggle and War

  - racial community - Volksgemeinschaft

  - National Socialism

  - Fuhrerprinzip

  - Aggressive Nationalism

  - Anti-Semitism
• power of will


  claimed that power, strength and determination to succeed were qualities of Hitler
• Racial community

  Volksgemeinschaft (people's community). Only Aryans could be citizens of the state, all others denied rights of citizenship. No social classes - all "real" Germans would have equal chances to find their own level in society. Create a 'new man' and s 'new woman' who are aware of the importance of race and follow leadership.
• national socialism


  included national expansion, state control of the economy, the totalitarian principle of government, and anti-Semitism. Twenty Five point program which had policies similar to that of communist and socialist parties
• Aggressive natioanlism


  wanted to reverse the ToV

  wanted to establish a 'Greater German Reich'

  wanted to achieve lebensraum (land in the east)
• the Fuhrerprinzip


  wanted to destroy the parliamentary democracy as Hitler believed the system encouraged communism which Hitler viewed as the greater evil.

  Believed democracy was based on the betrayal of the 'November criminals
• Joseph Goebbels


  chief of propaganda from 1928

  staged marches and rallies to show Nazis strength

  formed rules that Nazi speakers had to follow such as tailoring messages to the audience
• The role of anti-Semitism in Nazi electoral success

  many Germans voted despite the anti-sematic policies rather than because of them. Used Jews as scapegoats, portraying them as responsible for economic and political problems.

  However, Hitler adapted to his audience - in Jan 1932 he addressed 650 businessmen and in his 2 1/2 hr speech he didn't mention Jews once whereas in some it would be the main point.
• importance of hitler in nazi electoral success


  He played people's fears and presented himself as their savior. Tailored his message to the audience.
• KPD votes between 1928 and July 1932


  2 million
• Increased KPD membership


  by 243,000 by 1932
• how many KPD members were leaving

  more than 50% of its new members in 1932 left within a few months
• what did KPD say about the SPD


  accused them of damaging working class interests and labelled as 'social fascists
• areas under communist control


  some areas such as the wedding district of Berlin
• Red Front Fighters' League


  Paramilitary group associated with the KPD. Fought large gang battle with SA in early 1930s.
• wild cliques


  group of working class youths in communist-led campaigns against police, reform schools and labour exchanges