essay plan 'to what extent was geniune popularity the main factor for Hitlers success in becoming chancellor'

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  • Created by: SMUG
  • Created on: 30-05-15 17:13
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    • INTRO
      • Context: In 1933, Germany was in  state of social, political and economic instability. The social unrest caused by the attempt and failure of democracy, and industrial hardships on the backlash of the wall street crash, created the perfect conditions which prevented Nazi ideology from falling upon deaf ears.
    • Range of different reasons as to why Hitler became chancellor... Start with the topic mentioned in the question (PARTY POPULARITY)
      • Increase in votes evidenced the party's success; the votes increased by 10x within 3 to 4 years.
      • Why?? Because the Nazis looked BACK not FORWARD. To times of 'utopian past'.
      • Also felt very strongly about the destruction of the Treaty of Versailles; the time before economic and democratic crisis was what people wished they could go back to.
      • Also popular through the fear of communism; people were looking to the intense discipline that existed in the USSR. People didn't want this and Hitler was determined to stamp it out.
    • NAZI PROPAGANDA
      • Josef Goebbels - created a false image of security and hope under Hitler. Arguably it's his technique that sold the idea of Hitler to the people that is responsible for the voters, not actual admiration.
      • Propaganda was powerfully used to indoctrinate and enforce conformity heavily from 1933 onwards.
      • Hitler was portrayed as strong, devoted, charismatic and most of all as a messianic leader.
        • Most popular due to indoctrination
      • Out of fear of communism and acknowledgement that democracy failed; it left the population vulnerable to media influences/promises.
        • The party had no actual policies. Just visions and ideas of what the 'ideal Germany' should look/be like.
      • Hitler gained full support of the Elites who generously funded the party.        This enabled mass campaigning and huge raleighs; all which helped drum up support.
    • IMPACT OF THE WALL STREET CRASH   (1929)
      • This was a large trigger which helped the Nazis to undermine democracy and highlight the incompeten-ce of Germanys current Governing body.  A crisis at a vulnerable time; just 6 years after the last recession.
      • It allowed Nazi propaganda, but also radical supporters to exploit the social unrest.
    • CHANGING POLITICAL CIRCUMSTANCES
      • Hindenburg liked Von Papen's solution  which was crafted as a result of rivalry with Von Schlieker.
      • Hitler as chancellor, Von Papen as vice, 2 Nazis in the Cabinet (the idea of a functioning governing body and containing Hitler at the same time, seemed an appealing option to  Hindenburg; to restore some political and social stability and end Nazi party provoked street violence)
    • CONCLUSION
      • Hitler's support/popularity did prove a big factor, but it was circumstances which allowed the Nazis turn from a joke party in 1928 to the biggest party in 4 years.
      • Radical party policy wasn't boasted, nor the driving factor behind the country's warmth to Hitler; most didn't like it.
      • Fear of a communist takeover emerged from the economic and political problems and Hitler's determination to stamp this out definitely proved popular, if this was the only reason.
      • Extent of popularity as the factor of Hitler's success was very little; however propaganda and future outcomes of the election Hitler described, fitted perfectly into the narrative of German instability at the time,

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