Lecture Notes: Rise of Extremist Parties in Nazi Germany

Introduction

• Examination of the ideology behind extremist parties in Nazi Germany before its collapse.
• Focus on the 1932 elections to understand the rise of extremist parties.

The 1932 Elections

• Three Elections Held
  • March 1932: Hitler vs. Hindenburg for presidency.
  • Hitler lost but gained 37% of the votes, showing rising popularity.
• Chancellorship Changes
  • May 1932: Von Papen becomes Chancellor.
  • Attempted coalition with Nazi Party to control Hitler in Reichstag failed.

July 1932 Election Results

• Nazis won 230 seats, equivalent to 37% of the vote.
• Indicated significant popularity of the Nazi Party.

Reasons for Nazi Popularity

• Strong Leadership
  • Hitler's oratory skills improved during speeches, displaying passion and leadership.
• Anti-Marxism and Anti-Communism
  • Fear of communism spreading, influenced by the Bolshevik revolution.
• Traditional Values
  • Promoted the idea of "old Germany."
• Workers' Rights Claims
  • Claimed to protect workers' rights, though in reality, they abolished trade unions.
• Anti-Semitism
  • Provided a scapegoat for Germany's problems (e.g., Treaty of Versailles, hyperinflation, Wall Street Crash).

Nazi Voter Demographics

• NSDAP as a 'Volk' Party
  • Attracted large working-class support and rural areas.
• Young Voters
  • Most affected by World War I, hyperinflation, and unemployment.
• Gender Differences
  • More men than women voted for the Nazis.

The Appeal of Communism

• Communist Party (KPD) membership grew significantly from 1929 to 1932.
• Communism and Workers' Rights
  • Built around worker rights, leading to increased KPD membership.

Fear of Communism

• Middle-class fear of communism increased Nazi support.
• Fear stemmed from historical context (Bolshevik Revolution).

Conclusion

• Overview of socio-economic conditions in early 1930s Germany.
• Explanation of why different groups supported Nazis or Communism.

Upcoming Topics

• Next lecture will cover the events leading to Hitler's control and the collapse of Weimar Germany.