Exploitation of the fears of Communism + Reorganisation of the Nazi Party

 

A Postcard by the Nazi 

How Hitler make use of the fear of communist to gain support?

In 1929 due to the Great Depression ,many Germans were suffered from jobless and hunger.Hence, Germans were prepared to listen to the great promises of extremist party such as Communist party and the Nazi party. Because of that, Hitler fear that Communist party may win the election. Hitler make use of the Soviet Union as a example to appeal to those that fear what communist would bring and the middle class people who are afraid that their assert may get taken away. The Nazi party on the other hand are a Anti-Communist party which make the Germans to feel more trustworthy, hence gain Hitler much of the support. Hitler also make use of propaganda to instill fear in the people of the Communist. As a result, The Nazi party won much of the seat in the election.




Reorganization of the Nazi Party

Hitler joined the German Workers’ Party that was formed in 1919 which he soon became the leader.In 1920, the party renamed itself the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (Nazis), and announced its Twenty-Five Point Programme.

The Nazis were both nationalist and socialist as they believed in Germany’s greatness and they believed that the state should benefit everyone equally.

The Nazi membership in the 1920s includes of Skilled Workers (e.g Plumbers), Businessmen (e.g factory owners) lower employees (e.g shop assistants) , Unskilled workers ( e.g farm labourers) , Farmers, Students, Professionals (e.g Doctors lawyers) and Aristocrats.The Nazi was at decline after the failure of the Munich Putsch, Hitler decided that he would have to get power by elected, rather than by rebellion. However, he was banned from speaking until 1928. By 1928 Nazism appeared to be a dying cause as support for the Nazi party had grown due to the country’s problems of hyperinflation and the French invation of the Ruhr.

In this period, Hitler was set about reorganising the party which he had input many things which helped it take power after 1928. Hitler set up the SS which is a personal bodyguard fanatically loyal to him. He then set up a network of local parties which he merged with other right- wing parties then took them over. Hitler Youth was set up to attract young people to the party. Josef Goebbels was put in charge of propaganda which both Goebbels and Hitler believed that the best way to get the support of the masses was by  appealing to their feelings rather than by argument. A propaganda campaign was started by the use of posters, leaflets, radio and flim, and rallies were organised. Hitler gained the support of wealthy businessmen promising them that, if he came to power, he would destroy communism and the trade unions which gave him the financial needs to run his campaigns.

Information from:
 http://germanhistorydocs.ghi-dc.org/sub_image.cfm?image_id=1899
http://www.regencystamps.com/1930_anti_semitic_anti_communist_picture_postcard-lot311519.aspx
http://igcseedexcelhistorynazigermany.weebly.com/re-organisation-of-the-party-1924-1928.html