Importance of hitler to nazi success

importance of hitler to nazi success

• by 1929 hitler estab undisputed control over nazi party and a leadership cult created around him

• political skills and qualities was therefore crucially important to party, for many possessed great charisma and unparalleled oratorical skills

• his speeches often went on for hours and contained a lot of repetition and lies but he had a hypnotic effect

• knew how to play on ppls emotions and fears and to convince them he had answers

• also opportunist who could tailor message to audience

• mass appeal was vital to sucess of nazis in winning votes.

role of anti-semitism in nazi electoral success

• Nazis used jews as scapegoats in propaganda portraying them as responsible for G economic and political problems

• during depression many shopkeepers and small business owners were receptive to idea that problems caused by “jewish capitalism” ppl who had previously kept anti-semitism views quiet willing to share more freely.

• altho G were still unwilling to go along w open anti-semitic propaganda, were so preoccupied w immediate economic hardships that heard messages they wanted to hear.

• pervious disapproval of nazi extremism faded as they focused on nazi promises to provide work and bread, many ppl who voted nazi in 1932 did so in spite of anti-semitism not bc of it.

• nazi propaganda frequently adapted according to local circumstances in jan 1932 eg hitler addressed 650 businessmen at industry club didnt make single mention of jews in whole 2 ½ hr speech.

• many meetings where nazi speakers openly encouraged hostility against jews by accusing them of being cause of economic problem, rapid expansion of SA also encouraged radical anti semitism (juda verrecke) fave chant of SA, down w the jews.

• on other hand, many men attracted into SA bc it was anti-communist, or for comradeship in pub, membership was a meal ticket. Anti-semitism rare main motive

• widening nazi support meant winning over ppl nazi hadn’t previously targeted, meant emphasising issues nazi had neglected, most propaganda in 1932 had little/nothing to do w anti-sematism, in jan 1932- coordinated sequence of 16 mass meetings all abt unemployment

• reaching judgment abt political appeal of anti semitism is extremely difficult, millions voted for NSDAP who had never done so before, likely only small minority of these had anti-semitism as main motive.

role of propaganda in nazi electoral success

• nazi were very skilled in propaganda techniques and played an important part in sucess in votes

• understood importance and Joseph Goebbels (propaganda chief) from 1928, master of medium, money provided by big business leaders hitler able travel by air n car to make speeches in all g cities.

• nazi had own newspapers, published many posters and leaflets, put film shows and staged rallies.

• nazi marches and rallies w banners, songs, bands and sheer force of numbers made powerful statement abt nazi strength.

• nazi propaganda skilfully targeted diff groups in population and adapted nazi message to particular target audiences

• nazi speakers were well trained in oratorical techniques, anti-semitism slogans used only w some audiences

• nazi concentrated on simple message that weimar democ responsible for economic depression, national humiliation and internal division

• offered vague but powerful vision of a prosperous and united G restored to rightful position among great powers of EU

(spare)