How far had Hitler's popularity grown by 1932?
In 1928 the Nazis won support outside of Bavaria for virtually the first time. They began to win votes in farming areas of north Germany, as prices fell. But their big break came in 1929. From 1929 support for the Nazis rose steadily.
Numbers of Nazi members in the Reichstag:
1928: 12
1930: 107
1932 (July): 230
Why did support for the Hitler and the Nazis grow so quickly?
- Hitler told the German people that the problems of the Depression were not their fault. He blamed the Jews and the Weimar democrats for Germany’s problems. He used them as a scapegoat.
- The Nazi Party propaganda chief, Goebbels, had Hugenberg’s money and newspapers to back them. Hitler hired a private plane to fly around Germany. He was the first politician to do this.
- Goebbels organised torchlight processions, rallies, radio broadcasts, films. Nazi propaganda was far ahead of any of their rivals.
- Hitler said that he would be able to solve the problems. He offered strong leadership and easy solutions.
- Hitler said that he would do away with the Treaty of Versailles, which had treated Germany so badly, and make their country great again.
- He was always backed up by large numbers of disciplined and uniformed followers. The SA rose in numbers from 30,000 in 1929 to 440,000 in 1932.
- The discipline, the processions and the uniforms gave the impression of toughness and knowing what was needed. It reminded people of the old days under the Kaiser.
- The violence of the SA increased. This gave the impression of action and purpose. They particularly attacked Communists, which pleased middle class and business people. It also made the Weimar system look as though they couldn’t keep order.
- Hitler promised different things to different groups of people. To businessmen he promised that he would control the Trade Unions and deal with the Communists. To workers he promised that he would provide jobs.
Complete the worksheet attached below. Once you have done this, reflect on the question: Why was Hitler able to become Chancellor in 1933?
