The appeal of Nazism and communism (HISTORY - GERMANY)

Electoral support for Nazism and communism up to July 1932:

- NSDAP and KPD gained support as a result of the depression.

- NSDAP widened its support geographically and socially.

- The KPD made gains at the expense of the SPD.

- The KPD failed to broaden its support beyond the working-class.

1928 Reichstag elections:

NSDAP -> 2.6% of the vote. KPD -> 10.6% of the vote.

1930 Reichstag elections:

NSDAP -> 2nd largest party = 18.25% of the vote. KPD -> increased to 13.1% of the vote.

1932 Presidential elections:

NSDAP -> 37% of the vote, Hitler came second to Hindenburg. KPD -> THalmann = 10% of the vote.

July 1932 Reichstag elections:

NSDAP -> Largest party = 37.3% of the vote. KPD -> 14.3% + 2 mil more votes gained from 1928.

1928 -> narrow support base, mainly Mittlestand (lower middle class). These were white-collar workers, e.g small shopkeepers/ independent craftsmen. the continued to support the Nazis during the depression but NSDAP would go onto widen their support base:

Protestants -> Nazi support was strongest in rural areas of the Protestant north, east and central areas of Germany.

Catholics -> Limited support. Most Catholics voted for the Catholic Centre Party. Less nationalistic than Protestants because of their allegiance to the Pope. 

Women -> successfully targeted through propaganda that was based on common fears and traditional family values e.g women were constantly reminded that their children were starving.

Young people -> Most affected by unemployment successfully targeted via propaganda. Many young men joined the SA.

Middle-class -> mc grew more concerned about the growth of the communist KPD and the possibility of a revolution. Many supported and funded the Nazis to suppress the communists.

Farmers/ rural communities -> suffering from years of low prices and indebtedness to the banks. Successfully targeted by Nazi propaganda. Support grew steadily from 1928 onwards. 

Workers -> Traditionally industrial areas supported the KPD or the SPD but the NSDAP did attract some working-class support, especially amongst the unemployed. 

1920 -> Twenty Five point programme outlined Nazi idealogoy until 1933. Whilst impriosned after the Munich Beer Hall Putsch of 1923, Hitler wrote Mein Kampf which became the complete statement of his ideas and beliefs.

Ideology included:

The power of will ->Hitler personified power, strength and determination. SA symbolised discipline and bravery.

Struggles and war -> Hitler believed that Germany could only be rebuilt through war. A new German Reich would be created through the conquest of 'inferior' races. He believed violence to be natural and so Nazi propaganda glorified military virtues.

A racial community -> 'Volksgemeinschaft', Hitler advocated a state based on racial community. Only Aryans could be citizens of Germany, all other people were to be 'subjects to the state'.

National socialism -> anti-capitalist policies. Hitler did not fully commit to these and abandoned them to gain the support of wealthy businessmen. Hitler -> Volksgemeinschaft = socialism.

The Fuhrerprinzip -> democracy = Jewish communism + evil. Weimar democracy = founded on the betrayal of the 'Nov. criminals'. Hitler believed it had to be destroyed and replaced by a dictatorship/ a one-party ran state based on the principles of Fuhrerprinzip (leadership).

Aggressive nationalism -> aims: reverse humiliation of the Treaty of Versailles, establish a 'Greater German Reich' and secure Germany for its 'Lebensraum' ('living space') - a concept used by Hitler to justify invasions.

Anti-semitism -> Hitler blamed Jews for all of Germany's problems. Nazi propaganda = presented them as cunning, selfish and evil. Blamed for Germany's defeat, TTOV, Germany's decline in power. Jews were believed to undermine Germany and therefore had to be 'eradicated'.

By 1929 Hitler had ultimate control of the Nazi Party.

He was a powerful orator and displayed great charisma.

He knew how to abuse people's hopes and fear- he changed his message depending on his audience. 

His appeal as a character was crucial in Nazi success.

Total belief and loyalty to Hitler -> Fuhrerprinzip.

Nazism was distinguished from other right-wing parties because Fascism was its racial theory.

They believed in racialism = humans are divided into different races, each one has negative + positive characteristics.

Nazis believed in social Darwinism -> advocated for the improvement of 'racial hygiene' through selective breeding, birth control and sterilisation.

Nazis believed Aryans = master race + destined to lead.

Jews were seen at the bottom of the hierarchy alongside Slavs and people of colour.

They were deemed 'untermenschen' = sub-human.

1932 -> Nazi propaganda = little to do with anti-Semitism.

As they were trying to broaden their support, they mainly focused on economic issues.

Anto-Semitistm still increased the appeal of the Nazi party:

- NSDAP constantly linked Jews to communism, decreasing the support of the KPD.

- Jews were used as scapegoats for all of Germany's problems.

- Nazis were able to use the increase of anti-Semitism that was seen in Europe at the time to widen their support.

- SA encouraged violent anti-Seminitsm in the streets, widening their support and suppressing their opposition. 

Hitler understood its importance and spent many resources on ensuring it was effective.

The Nazi propaganda chief, Joseph Goebbels, was a skilled communicator and understood the importance of propaganda.

The message was tailored to the audience to broaden support.

The money provided by large businesses allowed for nationwide propaganda campaigns. 

Examples of Nazi propaganda included:

- Speeches  - Newspapers  - Rallies  - Marches  - Radio  - Posters  - Leaflets  - Films  - Songs

JOSEPH GOEBBELS:

Fanatically loyal to Hitler since mind 1920s. 

Founded his own newspaper / journalist / taste for violence and street fighting / played a large role in Nazi's rise to power. 

Had a strong following amongst union trade members and the working-class.

1928 -> July 1932 + 2 million votes. Membership increased from 117,000 to 360,000.

Appeal = originally based on their relentless commitment to supporting workers in the class struggles e.g organising strikes to improve wages.

As a result of the depression, their focus shifted to setting up 'committees of the unemployed' as many of their members had lost their jobs. They presented themself as the defender of the working-class against the Nazis e.g campaigned against benefit cuts.

Its Red Front Fighters League fought many street battles against the SA.

They focused on recruiting working-class youths (wild cliques).

- Emphasised that the only solution to the economic, social and political crisis of the time was to overthrow capitalism.

- They claimed that the Depression was the 'final crisis of capitalism' that would inevitably lead to a communist revolution.

- They campaigned on immediate issues e.g unemployment benefits and wage cuts.

- they attacked the SPD as they believed them to be 'social-fascists' who stood in the way of overthrowing capitalism.

- They advocated for internationalism and had close links with the communist regime present in the Soviet USSR during this time. 

Strengths:

- Strong support of the working-class districts of large cities. / -Effective propaganda (speeches, posters, marches, newspapers, etc. 

- Strong organisation at a street and neighbourhood level. / - Red Front Fighters' League engaged in street battles with the SA.

Weaknesses:

- Membership turnover was high -> more than 50% of new members in 1932 left within a few months. / - They failed to broaden their support outside of the working class.

- They had little money, most of its supporters were unemployed. / -They had little appeal towards women = little support from women.

- Fight against SPD = tactical error -> NSDAP = main threat / Growth of KPD = mc supported NSDAP. 

Both NSADP and KPD gained support due to the depression (NSDAP gained more than KPD.)

KPD grew at the expense of the SPD but did not broaden its support.

The rise of KPD benefited NSDAP as mc feared the communist revolution.

NSDAP succeeded in widening the support base, by the summer of 1932 they were the largest party in the Reichstag and Hitler was in a position to make a bid for power.