The appeal of Nazism

0.0(0)
studied byStudied by 0 people
0.0(0)
full-widthCall Kai
learnLearn
examPractice Test
spaced repetitionSpaced Repetition
heart puzzleMatch
flashcardsFlashcards
GameKnowt Play
Card Sorting

1/52

encourage image

There's no tags or description

Looks like no tags are added yet.

Study Analytics
Name
Mastery
Learn
Test
Matching
Spaced
Call with Kai

No study sessions yet.

53 Terms

1
New cards

Nazi Party Name

2
New cards
Why did the Nazis adopt the title National Socialist German Workers’ Party (NSDAP)?
To gain working-class support while differentiating themselves from the international socialism of the Communist Party
3
New cards

Ideology and Success

4
New cards
How coherent was Nazi ideology?
It was a loose collection of ideas, neither coherent nor consistent
5
New cards
How did Hitler tailor Nazi policy statements?
He acted opportunistically, modifying messages to appeal to his audience
6
New cards
What document first laid out the fundamental aims of the Nazis?
The 25 Point Programme of 1920
7
New cards
What later document provided Hitler’s most complete statement of aims?
Mein Kampf, written during imprisonment after the 1923 Munich Beer Hall Putsch
8
New cards
How did ideology help the Nazis succeed?
It projected an image of decisiveness and energy, offering hope of change as the Weimar system was failing
9
New cards

The Power of the Will

10
New cards
How did Hitler present himself and the Nazi movement?
As a force for change in Germany
11
New cards
What qualities did Nazi propaganda emphasise in Hitler?
Power, strength, and determination to succeed
12
New cards
How did the Nazi movement demonstrate discipline and unity?
Through parades of Stormtroopers (SA), presenting an image that would sweep all opponents aside
13
New cards

Struggle and War

14
New cards
How central were struggle, violence, and war to Nazi ideology?
They were central to the Nazi worldview
15
New cards
How did Hitler view politics?
As perpetual struggle, based on Social Darwinism, with conflict between races as natural
16
New cards
What was Hitler’s goal for German society?
Reconstruction through war, conquest, and subjugation of other races
17
New cards
What concept was tied to this expansionist goal?
Lebensraum (living space)
18
New cards
Which military virtues did Nazi ideology glorify?
Loyalty, courage, and self-sacrifice
19
New cards
How were organisations like the SA used in Nazi ideology?
As places where German males could demonstrate their manliness
20
New cards

Volksgemeinschaft

21
New cards
What was the Volksgemeinschaft?
The ‘people’s community,’ a key concept promoting national unity and racial purity
22
New cards
What did the ideal of Volksgemeinschaft promise?
Elimination of class differences, Germans working together for the good of the nation, access to employment and welfare benefits
23
New cards
Who could be citizens in the Volksgemeinschaft?
Only Aryans; non-Aryans were excluded and treated as “subjects”
24
New cards
What was the concept of Volksgemeinschaft rooted in?
Anti-Semitism, requiring elimination of "un-German elements," especially Jews
25
New cards
What social goal did Nazism aim for through Volksgemeinschaft?
Creating a ‘new man’ and ‘new woman’ aware of racial importance, committed to the common good, willing to follow leadership
26
New cards
How did the ideology view German history?
Backward-looking, seeking a return to a mythical pure German past before racial “pollution” and industrial class divisions
27
New cards

National Socialism

28
New cards
Why did the NSDAP include “Socialist” in its name?
To appeal to the working class, though in a nationalist, not Marxist sense
29
New cards
What radical economic demands did the official program contain?
Nationalisation of large monopolies and confiscation of war profits
30
New cards
How did Hitler interpret “socialism”?
Loosely, equating it with the idea of Volksgemeinschaft and acting for the community
31
New cards
Did Hitler commit to radical economic aims?
No, he acted opportunistically and later sought backing from big business
32
New cards
Which business leaders supported Hitler after 1929?
Hugenberg and Fritz Thyssen, assured their interests would not be threatened
33
New cards
What internal divisions existed within the Nazi Party regarding socialism?
Leaders like Gregor and Otto Strasser advocated genuine socialist policies appealing to the SA
34
New cards
What happened to Otto and Gregor Strasser?
Purged in 1930 and 1932 because their radicalism threatened middle-class support and Hitler’s authority
35
New cards

Führerprinzip

36
New cards
What was the Führerprinzip?
Hitler’s principle of leadership, an alternative to Weimar democracy emphasizing strong, authoritarian government
37
New cards
Why did Hitler oppose parliamentary democracy?
He believed it was weak, ineffective, and encouraged the growth of communism
38
New cards
How did Nazis view Weimar democracy?
As a betrayal due to the ‘November Criminals’ supposedly stabbing the German army in the back
39
New cards
What did the Führerprinzip demand?
The democratic state be destroyed and replaced by a dictatorship led by one supreme person
40
New cards
How did the Führerprinzip operate within the Nazi Party?
Hitler had undisputed control over all policy and strategy; party members had to subordinate themselves to his will
41
New cards

Aggressive Nationalism

42
New cards
What form of nationalism did the Nazis pursue?
Aggressive nationalism focused on restoring and expanding German power
43
New cards
Why was this attractive to Germans?
Especially to the conservative elite who resented the Weimar regime
44
New cards
What was Hitler’s aim regarding the Treaty of Versailles?
To overturn its “humiliation,” denouncing it as blackmail and shameful
45
New cards
What was the goal of uniting ethnic Germans?
Create a ‘Greater German Reich’ including Germans outside current borders
46
New cards
What was Lebensraum and why was it important?
Territory in the East for conquest to provide food and raw materials for Germany to sustain great power status
47
New cards
How was Lebensraum justified?
Through Hitler’s racial theories and belief in struggle as necessary
48
New cards

Anti-Semitism

49
New cards
What role did anti-Semitism play in Nazi ideology?
Jews were scapegoats blamed for Germany’s problems, including Weimar weakness, WWI loss, Versailles, and economic issues
50
New cards
How were Jews depicted in propaganda?
Greedy, cunning, motivated by selfish motives, blamed for both capitalism and communism
51
New cards
What was Hitler’s ultimate aim regarding Jews?
Complete removal (Entfernung) of Jews from Germany
52
New cards
How was anti-Semitism handled in campaigns?
Often downplayed during elections, with emphasis on economic promises like “work and bread”
53
New cards
Did anti-Semitism drive most new voters to the Nazis?
No, many voted Nazi despite anti-Semitism, not primarily because of it

Explore top flashcards