By Sonia A. Sanjay (printsbysonia)
To what extent does popular support for Nazism explain Hitler’s rise to power
In the 1932 elections, the Nazis established themselves as the largest party in the
Reichstag, gaining 230 out of the 584 seats. While their popularity became apparent,
this was not enough to give them an overall majority, and thus, Hitler could not
assume power on this basis alone. The large support base did make Hitler attractive
to being invited to a position taken by Hindenburg, but it was the impact the Great
Depression had on Germany that allowed popular support for Nazism to flourish,
later manifesting in Hitler’s appointment as the Chancellor of Germany in January
1933. The Nazis' ability to garner popular support and the failure of Weimar
politicians were both supporting factors in Hitler’s rise to power.
Admittedly, the Nazis did have popular support from a portion of the German
population. The flexible ideology of Nazism allowed for it to be easily adapted
depending on whose support Hitler wanted, which also meant that he could give the
impression of offering much to all. To gain the support of conservatives, major
industrialists, and the elite, Hitler played up the Nazi aim of eradicating communism
by promising to eliminate and purge socialists, and also promised a hands-off policy
towards German industry and weakening trade unions. This made the Nazis look
like the only credible right-wing alternative to the left-wing parties. As such, major
industrialists such as Thyssen and Hugenberg promised to pay the Nazi election
debts and aided extravagant aeroplane campaigns and mass rallies. President of
Reichsbank, Hjalmar Schacht and banker Wilhelm Keppler organised a petition of
industrial leaders requesting that President Hindenburg appoint Hitler as Chancellor.
By association, Hitler and the Nazis were given both respectability and legitimacy.
This proved to be crucial, as without the funding and backing from these two groups,
Goebbels’ highly successful and effective campaigns to gain the support of other
groups wouldn’t have been carried out, and Hindenburg would have had one less
reason to appoint Hitler as Chancellor.
Hitler also emphasised the Nazi aim of abolishing the Treaty of Versailles to gain
popular support. The Treaty of Versailles was widely hated and was strongly linked
to the Weimar government, which constantly proved itself to be incapable of
managing Germany. The middle class, farmers, small business owners, and public
servants were all alarmed by the obvious failures of democracy and felt betrayed by
the Weimar government. They decided that Germany needed a strong, authoritarian
government akin to what they had under the Kaiser, something the Nazis seemed to
offer. Consequently, votes went to Hitler. The support of the middle class proved to
be vital for Hitler as it was important in converting Nazism into a mass movement
and made up the largest single proportion of Nazi support. This mass support
amongst the majority of the German population made the Nazi Party the largest
party in Germany after the July 1932 Reichstag elections. This cemented Hitler and
the Nazis’ position on the political landscape and made Hitler a potential candidate
for vice-chancellorship. Upon his refusal, Hitler was made Chancellor.
By Sonia A. Sanjay (printsbysonia)
To what extent does popular support for Nazism explain Hitler’s rise to power
In the 1932 elections, the Nazis established themselves as the largest party in the
Reichstag, gaining 230 out of the 584 seats. While their popularity became apparent,
this was not enough to give them an overall majority, and thus, Hitler could not
assume power on this basis alone. The large support base did make Hitler attractive
to being invited to a position taken by Hindenburg, but it was the impact the Great
Depression had on Germany that allowed popular support for Nazism to flourish,
later manifesting in Hitler’s appointment as the Chancellor of Germany in January
1933. The Nazis' ability to garner popular support and the failure of Weimar
politicians were both supporting factors in Hitler’s rise to power.
Admittedly, the Nazis did have popular support from a portion of the German
population. The flexible ideology of Nazism allowed for it to be easily adapted
depending on whose support Hitler wanted, which also meant that he could give the
impression of offering much to all. To gain the support of conservatives, major
industrialists, and the elite, Hitler played up the Nazi aim of eradicating communism
by promising to eliminate and purge socialists, and also promised a hands-off policy
towards German industry and weakening trade unions. This made the Nazis look
like the only credible right-wing alternative to the left-wing parties. As such, major
industrialists such as Thyssen and Hugenberg promised to pay the Nazi election
debts and aided extravagant aeroplane campaigns and mass rallies. President of
Reichsbank, Hjalmar Schacht and banker Wilhelm Keppler organised a petition of
industrial leaders requesting that President Hindenburg appoint Hitler as Chancellor.
By association, Hitler and the Nazis were given both respectability and legitimacy.
This proved to be crucial, as without the funding and backing from these two groups,
Goebbels’ highly successful and effective campaigns to gain the support of other
groups wouldn’t have been carried out, and Hindenburg would have had one less
reason to appoint Hitler as Chancellor.
Hitler also emphasised the Nazi aim of abolishing the Treaty of Versailles to gain
popular support. The Treaty of Versailles was widely hated and was strongly linked
to the Weimar government, which constantly proved itself to be incapable of
managing Germany. The middle class, farmers, small business owners, and public
servants were all alarmed by the obvious failures of democracy and felt betrayed by
the Weimar government. They decided that Germany needed a strong, authoritarian
government akin to what they had under the Kaiser, something the Nazis seemed to
offer. Consequently, votes went to Hitler. The support of the middle class proved to
be vital for Hitler as it was important in converting Nazism into a mass movement
and made up the largest single proportion of Nazi support. This mass support
amongst the majority of the German population made the Nazi Party the largest
party in Germany after the July 1932 Reichstag elections. This cemented Hitler and
the Nazis’ position on the political landscape and made Hitler a potential candidate
for vice-chancellorship. Upon his refusal, Hitler was made Chancellor.
By Sonia A. Sanjay (printsbysonia)
