The Nazi Party gained widespread support in Germany between 1928-1933 for several key reasons: 1) Adolf Hitler was a charismatic and passionate speaker who attracted many followers to the party. Though his early attempts to seize power through violence failed, he later embraced democratic methods. 2) The Nazi party promised to improve the lives of ordinary Germans by addressing unemployment and reviving the economy, which had wide appeal after the Great Depression. They also appealed to German nationalism and promised to strengthen the military. 3) The party was well-organized under Hitler's leadership, with different sections targeting various demographic groups. It also used effective propaganda through posters, rallies, and other means to spread its message and gain supporters

1. National 5 History: Hitler & Nazi
Germany
The Nazi Party 1928 - 1933

2. Today’s lesson – The Nazi Party 1928 - 1933
We are developing our knowledge and understanding of
the appeal of the Nazi Party to ordinary Germans between
1928 – 1933.
By the end of today’s lesson I should be able to:
1) Describe the organisation of the Nazi Party.
2) Explain why the Nazi party gained so much support by 1933.
Today’s lesson involves:
Note taking
Propaganda Poster task

3. The Nazi Party
The Nazi Party started out as the small
and irrelevant German workers’ party
and soon became the largest party in all
of Germany by 1933.
The Nazis gained support for a variety of
reasons including:
1) Policies & promises.
2) Impact of Hitler
3) Party organization
4) Weimar problems

4. Task 1
Copy the following mind-map in a new double page in your jotter.
Reasons why the
Nazi party gained
support
Party organisation
Hitler
Policies

5. Factor 1: Impact of Hitler
Adolf Hitler was sent as a government spy to
spy on the recent formed German workers’
party. However he ended up joining and
leading the party.
Hitler was a passionate speaker and many
people were attracted to the party because of
this.
At first Hitler believed that violence was the
only way to take control of Germany, these
extreme beliefs led to Hitler gaining new
supporters including the remaining members
of the Freikorps – however this approach
failed during the 1923 Munich Putsch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJ3N_2r6
R-o

6. Factor 1: Impact of Hitler
During his time in prison after
Munich, Hitler believed that only way
to take power was through
democracy.
He used his imprisonment to plan to
get more supporters to the Nazi Party
through writing Mein Khampf.
Hitler was importing in terms of party
funding. Many rich men funded
Hitler’s party to prevent a communist
takeover.

7. Factor 2:Policies and promises
In Germany there were lots of political
parties that only appealed to a small
group of people, such as the communists.
Hitler & the Nazis tried to appeal to all
Germans through their 25 point plan.
The Nazis’ got support after the Great
Depression where they promised ordinary
Germans they would improve their lives.

8. Factor 2:Policies and promises
Hitler also made promises to the upper
and middle classes to appeal to all
Germans.
He said they would not face huge tax rises
and that he would defeat Communism.
Hitler also appealed to German’s national
pride by promising to ‘tear up the Treaty
of Versailles’ to build a better and stronger
army.

9. Factor 2:Policies and promises
The Nazi party also appealed to negative
elements of German society.
Jewish people had faced common
discrimination across Europe – Hitler
tapped into this to gain votes.
Hitler said he would get rid of ‘outsiders’
who were ‘ruining Germany’.

10. Factor 3: Structure of the party.
Hitler also changed the
organisation and structure of the
party.
This was to improve the parties
ability to stand in elections but also
to attract other groups and
supporters.
Different sections of the party were
aimed at different people including
women, teachers and young
people.

11. Factor 3: Structure of the party.
The Nazi party used propaganda to
gain supporters.
Hitler placed one of his most
trusted allies Joseph Goebbels in
charge of propaganda.
Goebbels used methods such as
posters, leaflets and holding mass
rallies at Nuremberg.
However the Nazi Party continued
to use violence in the form of the
SS & SA. They often intimidated
voters to vote Nazi.

12. Task 1
Using this information create a propaganda poster to advertise the Nazi
Party. Your poster must follow the relevant success criteria.
- Your poster must be bright and colourful.
- It must state at least 4 reasons why you should vote for the Nazi
party.
- On the back of the poster you must write a short paragraph about
what you think was the most important reason why people voted
for the Nazis. Remember to use the information on the Weimar
republic too!

13. Exam question
1) To what extent was the appeal of Hitler the key reason why the
Nazis were elected as the largest party in 1933? – 9 Marks.
2) Explain why people voted for the Nazi party – 6 Marks.