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World War I left Europe economically devastated - with approximately ten million people dead, seven million permanently disabled, and fifteen million seriously wounded, as well as a shortage of raw materials. Inflation hit all of Europe, but Germany was particularly hurt in the years following the First World War. Germany lost fifteen percent of its pre-war capacity, all its foreign investment, and ninety percent of its mercantile fleet.1 The devastation incurred on the German economy was worsened by the reparations owed to Britain and France. The adjustment to the new political system, in addition to the desperation caused by the decline of the economy, opened the door for the formation of a radical right wing in Germany.
The radical right wing consisted of those who could not accept Germany's loss in the war and the democratic government that came about as a result. They opposed liberalism, cosmopolitan culture, open society, the competitive industrial economy, and the powerful labor movement. Among the most radical of the right-wing groups was the German Workers Party, which was renamed the National Socialist German Workers Party (the Nazi Party or NSDAP, for short).* At first, the NSDAP primarily attracted young people who wanted social justice and were against unemployment. However, as paranoia about the economic situation grew, the NSDAP shifted its efforts to small businessmen, shop clerks, and the rural population. On page 86 of The Nazi Seizure of Power, Allen points out that people "wanted a radical answer to the economic problem...[they] wanted a hard, sharp, clear leadership - they were disgusted with the eternal political strife of parliamentary politics." The NSDAP recognized the people's frustration with the current system and used it to gain popularity.
The NSDAP realized that they would be most successful in recruiting members and rallying support if they modified their propaganda to focus on the topics of local interest and concern. The party often held mass meetings, demonstrations, parades, and other social events. The Nazi propaganda efforts were meant to maximize participation and casually incorporate Nazi ideology into the everyday lives of the Germans.
Nazi propaganda came in the form of speeches at meetings, which were focused on issues that were of interest of concern to the local people: pensions, Christianity, capitalism, youth, Jews, foreign policy, civil servants and middle class, militarism, the Republic, general economics, Marxism, and the history and theory of Nazism. Though Nazi meetings drew large crowds, they did not contribute too greatly to membership. For example, a Nazi meeting held in Northeim on November 11, 1929 attracted 120 guests, only six of whom joined the party. However, it was by trial and error that the Nazis improved their methods of propaganda and mass mobilization.
The Nazis slowly grew as they adjusted their program. In Northeim, the NSDAP held only two and one-third percent of the votes in 1928, but held sixty-three percent by April 1932. Nationally, the NSDAP had passed its peak by November 1932 – most likely because of the Party’s attempt to distance itself from the von Papen government by turning “Left.” One dilemma had by the party was the constant drop in membership caused by expulsion of members who did not pay their monthly dues. Although the party was successful in collecting funds from activities, entrance fees, monthly dues, and charity collections, the cost often became a burden for the members.
However, despite the cost, the NSDAP appealed to many people because of its ideology – particularly, its opposition to Marxism and its patriotism. The Nazi opposition to Marxism led the Nazis and the SPDs (Social Democrats) into constant battle. The SPDs fought to maintain the democratic government, while Nazis tried to prepare Germany for dictatorship. The NSDAP constantly spread slander about the SPDs and blamed the government that they supported for Germany’s economic strife. The Nazis also cast blame on the Treaty of Versailles for Germany’s misery. Similarly, Jews were blamed for the high unemployment rates among German-born citizens. The Nazis claimed that the problem was caused by Jews from other countries who immigrated to Germany and became successful in their work. The “Jewish problem” arose when the Jews who become naturalized German citizens gave jobs to other Jewish immigrants instead of to Germans. Many Germans felt an abstract sense of anti-Semitism, and thus related to the party in some way. In addition, the Nazis emphasized the misery and desperation caused by the Weimar Republic. As people became more desperate and disgusted with the political and economic environment in Germany, the more willing they were to accept radical change.
Thus, the Nazi party pushed whatever ideology worked, and was gradually accepted (if not supported) by more and more people. One key mechanism that the NSDAP began to draw on was religion – particularly, the Lutheran church. In addition, the NSDAP began to emphasize nationalism. The combination of religion and nationalism was critical in attracting participation and membership.
Once Hitler became Chancellor of Germany, the party withdrew its religious aspects and became quite anti-religious. The party continued to spread slander about the SPDs and provoke anti-Semitism, but to a harsher degree. The NSDAP eliminated all forms of written opposition and publicly scolded any physical expression of opposition. Libraries were purged of documents that did not support the new government and many newspapers and other forms of media were eliminated. The NSDAP purged government offices, the civil service, social organizations, and schools to ensure that Germans would be surrounded with Nazism. The Nazis had to get rid of all opposition and secure enough popular support to work their will without severe public outcry. To maintain power, the Nazis had to rally support from those who agreed with them and intimidate the people who did not agree with them enough to prevent rebellion. Any attempts to rebel were promptly dealt with and the anti-Nazis were punished accordingly.
When the Nazis took power in Germany, they essentially became the law-enforcing authorities. They used this power to silence opposition. This policing power was often used to invade the personal liberties of opponents of the regime: their houses were frequently ransacked, they were constantly questioned, and some were arrested. Some Nazi members took it upon themselves to spy on opponents of the regime.
However, the Nazis not only used this policing power against their opponents. Nazi members were frequently checked for compliance with party rules and regulations. In 1935, Local Groups were divided into "cells," each of which contained several "blocks" of a few dozen houses each. A Block Warden was designated for each block to keep charge of all of the households.
With the establishment of Block Wardens and the purge of all political, economic, and social groups, the Nazis were able to keep a close watch on everyone. This constant surveying led to paranoia in many people, which in turn led to distrust and the collapse of many interpersonal relationships. Repression and terrorism were the Nazis primary tools in maintaining power after 1933. Although many people may not have supported Nazism, they had no ability to do anything about it. As Allen says on page 282, "By 1935 the Nazi Party had unquestioned control...but it had lost its dynamic drive and its leaders were no longer certain they had mass support, even from their own members."
Hence, the Nazi Party became popular because it was enthusiastic in its actions and seemed optimistic about the possibilities of reconstruction of the economy, but it lost support as it became harsher and more threatening. In the years before Hitler’s appointment in 1933, the main role of the party was to gain support and spread Nazi ideology through propaganda. After Hitler came to power, the Nazis had to become an intimidating force in order to maintain power. The Nazis still organized meetings and other activities, but attendance was forced and the people could no longer express their interests. After 1933, the Nazis no longer had to fight the SPD – they made it impossible for the SPD to exist altogether. The Nazi party became even more authoritarian. The role of the party members was no longer to spread Nazi ideology, but to enforce it. After 1933, the Nazi party did not have to put much effort to rally support – they just made sure that people did not express opposition. Basically, the Nazis came to power by gradually gaining support; then, they maintained support by eliminating any potential opposition.
