Reasons the Nazis gained power - Appeal of Hitler and the Nazis

2. German Workers’ Party
The German Workers’ Party
was an obscure political group
that the German Army asked
Intelligence Officer Hitler to
investigate.
Instead he ended up joining
the party and leading it.

3. NSDAP
The National Socialist
German Workers’ Party
(NSDAP, shortened to Nazi
Party) grew from the German
Workers’ Party.
These new letters gave the
new party their ‘Nazi’ name.

4. Hitler’s speeches
One of the main reasons that
Hitler took control of the party
was his public speaking; he was
very passionate and attracted
strong support.
This was true throughout his
time as Nazi and German leader.

5. Nuremburg rallies
From 1923, the Nazi Party
held huge rallies to promote
its message.
From 1927 onwards they were
all held in the city of
Nuremburg. Thousands of
people would attend to hear
Hitler speak.

6. Arguments for influence
Hitler was able to persuade
more people to join and vote
for the Nazis.
In particular, he attracted rich
supporters who then funded
his campaigns.

7. Arguments against influence
Many of Germany’s elite were
put off by Hitler’s tone and the
violence often associated with
the Nazi Party.
This undermined attempts to
help him take power.

8. Beer Hall Putsch
In 1923, Hitler tried to lead a
revolution, starting in a Beer
Hall in Munich.
It failed and Hitler went to
prison in 1924. He used his
time in prison to plan the
future of the Nazis.

9. Hitler’s ideas
Hitler’s ideas – as described in
Mein Kampf - agreed with
what many Germans believed.
Hitler wanted a strong
Germany, to end the Treaty of
Versailles and was also very
anti-Semitic.

10. 25 Points
In 1924 the Nazis published their
plans for running Germany
(known as the ‘25 Points’).
Nazi promises included better
pensions, priority for German
people and more land.

11. New party sections
Hitler began to build strong
sections of the Nazi Party.
He created the SS in 1925 as the
Nazis’ security division. He also
set up the Hitler Youth and other
groups such as women, lawyers
and teachers.

12. Propaganda
Hitler also wanted to win mass
public support.
With Joseph Goebbels’ help, the
Nazi Party used different types of
propaganda. This included
posters and newspapers to
spread their message.

14. Arguments for influence
There were numerous political
groups in Germany.
Any of them could have
exploited problems in
Germany, but only the Nazis
were organised enough to
achieve this.

15. Arguments against influence
Many of the reasons for Hitler’s
success and support were
outwith his control.
The Treaty of Versailles was
hated across Germany, not just
by the Nazis. The 1929
Depression was a global event.

16. Arguments against influence
In the second 1932 election,
Nazi support fell. Internal Nazi
polling suggested the party was
becoming less popular.
As the economy improved,
many Germans moved away
from supporting the Nazis.

17. Soup kitchens and hostels
During the Depression the
Nazis gave support to poor
Germans. This included soup
kitchens and hostels for the
homeless.
Women especially used soup
kitchens to feed their families.

18. Arguments for influence
The economic support given
to poor Germans during the
Depression made them trust
the Nazis.
They may also have supported
them in case they again
needed future help.

19. Arguments against influence
Nazi organisation improved – but
they still needed economic
problems to gain more support in
Germany.
The Nazis were the smallest
party in the Reichstag in 1928,
and the biggest by 1932.