Weimar and Nazi Germany Topic Summaries

Why people voted for the Nazis

GCSE > History > Edexcel > GCSE History: Weimar and Nazi Germany (1890-1945) > Rise of the Nazi Party (1923–1933) > Why people voted for the Nazis
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Key Terms
  • The Great Depression: the Wall Street Crash meant the American loans from the Dawes Plan were withdrawn; 6 million people faced unemployment (40% of the workforce). Amidst economic turmoil, the Nazis’ promise of ‘Work and Bread’ was simple and appealing.
  • Expanded base of support: the Nazis tried to appeal to a range of key groups with different messaging, even if they didn’t agree with 100% of Nazi ideology. This included: 
    • Farmers affected by the Depression
    • Women dedicated to their family’s wellbeing 
    • Middle-class workers whose wages had been cut 
    • Soldiers frustrated with the Treaty of Versailles 
    • The upper classes who wanted a strong Germany to return 
  • Goebbels’ propaganda: controlled messaging ensured ideas were simple and clear, particularly in Hitler’s passionate speeches. The Nazis also owned 120 daily or weekly newspapers that they used to shape public sentiment and stoke antisemitic attitudes. 
  • Focus on appearances: the Weimar Government seemed disorganised (President Hindenburg had resorted to running the company using emergency powers in Article 48) and Nazis capitalised on this by positioning themselves in contrast as capable and disciplined through uniforms and marches.

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