Reasons the nazis gained power - social and economic divisions

2. Economic differences
After hyperinflation, Germany
was divided.
Many people – including the
middle classes – had lost
everything. However others
fared well, including paying
off debts and mortgages.

3. Economic differences
The Nazis were mainly a
middle class party, largely
supported by Germany’s
professional classes.
Poorer Germans were less
likely to vote or support
Nazis.

4. Religious differences
Germany had religious divides.
There was the historical
Catholic and Protestant split.
Statistics suggest that
Protestants were more likely to
vote Nazi than were Catholics.

5. Religious differences
Many Germans were anti-
Semitic; they blamed Jews for
losing World War One and
economic problems.
It is worth noting that Jews
never made up more than 1%
of Germany’s population.

6. Gender and age differences
Women were slightly more
likely to vote Nazi than men,
and young people more likely
to be Nazi members than
older people.
This may be due to the Nazis’
women and youth sections. German women: think of your
children and vote Hitler

7. Arguments for influence
The lack of general unity
across Germany made it hard
for the Weimar Republic to
operate effectively.
Anti-Jewish attitudes would
also help the Nazis in future.

8. Arguments against influence
Germany always had religious
divides but this did not result in
Nazi-type government.
Germans’ anti-Semitism may
have been influenced by Nazi
propaganda blaming Jews for
economic chaos and WW1 defeat.

9. Arguments for influence
The middle and upper classes
that supported the Nazis were
scared about the possible
impact of Communism.
These groups had the money
to help fund the Nazis.
Victory or Bolshevism

10. Arguments against influence
The majority of working class
people in Germany (the biggest
part of Germany’s population)
did not back the Nazis.
Instead most working class
people supported the Social
Democrats and Communists.
Workers – vote for Hitler