The Appeal Of Extremism

The Appeal of Communism

Following the Depression, many were disappointed with the Weimar government and sought more radical solutions. The extreme left offered this.

The communist message

Like the Nazis, the KPD used fighting talk and militarism as part of its appeal. Its paramilitary organisation, the Red Front, was often involved in street violence.
It’s slogans included: ‘Peace, Unity, Freedom!’ ‘Together We Conquer Them’, (showing workers killing a Nazi snake) and ‘Down With The Warmongers!’
The KPD presidential campaign slogan was ‘A vote for Hindenburg is a vote for Hitler, a vote Hitler is a vote for war.’ The anti-war slogan had limited appeal.

Who supported the KPD?

It’s total membership in 1931 was 260,000. Its highest share of the vote was 16.9% in November 1932. Its links with the USSR alienated many voters.
As a radical, left wing, working-class party the communists appeal was limited. It would never gain the cooperation of the elite and the authorities.
It could have only gained power legally by working with the SPD, but the two left wing parties were bitter enemies.

Communist propaganda

Communist parties saw the depression as proof that capitalism as a system was over.
Willi Münzenberg was head of KPD propaganda. He understood the propaganda potential of film, founding the VFV (People’s Film Association).
Funding film was a problem for the KPD, although they helped produce one feature film and several documentaries.
The VFV published a magazine, People and Film.
Münzenberg established a range of publishers, newspapers, cinemas and theatres in Germany.

Topics for propaganda

Münzenberg focussed on uncontroversial, single issue campaigns that would attract liberal and left wing people who might then join the KPD.

The Appeal of Nazism

As people sought a radical solution, they had to decide between left wing or right wing parties. The Nazi Party, whilst disguising itself as a party for everyone, was politically right wing.

The Nazi message

The Nazis used its 25 point programme as the basis of its message.
The party, under Hitler, wanted to undo Versailles, pursue Lebensraum (expansion), and do away with Weimar democracy.
The Nazi party also used nationalism to bring Germans together as a Volksgemeinshcaft. It used the rhetoric of unity, strength, a return to greatness.
Nazi messages was targeted against: Jews, Versailles Treaty, communists, ‘November Criminals’, pacifists.

Targeting groups of society

The 25 point program had something for everyone, except Jews and foreigners. The Nazis were good at targeting their message to the audience, especially locally.
Nazis realised most people were won over by other locals, so they targeted key individuals, like teachers or shop owners, who knew their communities well.
Nazis used direct mailing and the publication of pamphlets. Posters were focused on specific groups: workers, women, farmers, mothers, small business owners.

Nazi propaganda methods

Joseph Goebbels oversaw Nazi propaganda, which came in many forms: printed word, posters, films, rallies, symbols, flags. Even the SA delivered leaflets.
The Nazi newspaper was the ‘Völkischer Beobachter’ and the party’s 1929 alliance with Hugenberg’s DNVP gave it access to his media empire.
Appeals were made to emotions rather than intellects.
Using aeroplanes (Hitler über Deutschland) enabled Hitler to appear all over Germany in one day. It also made the party look new and modern.

Nazi organisation

The Nazis had different, and associated organisations for different groups: Young people, women, students, lawyers, factory workers.
The NSDAP was organised into strong, local areas under Gauleiters.
The SA attracted people. Although its violence was problematic, it also portrayed strength and an ability to fight as opposed to failing Weimar democracy.
The Führerprinzip: Hitler was a charismatic leader at a time of failing chancellors.

Support for the Nazis: class?

Traditional view:
- The NSDAP was a middle class party.
Fischer (1995) and Falter (1996) challenge this:
- Workers = 32.5% of Nazi members, the largest group.
There were regional variations in Nazi support. Berlin and Cologne-Aachen were at least likely to vote Nazi, while Pomerania and East Prussia were most likely.
According to Peterson (1989) big business and Junkers were disinclined to join or vote for the Nazis, but some gave other kinds of direct and indirect support.

Support for the Nazis: women?

Another striking trend is that across Germany more males and females belongs to the Nazi party in 1930. By January 1933 there were more female members.

Historical assessment

The historian Ian Kershaw (2001) explains why Hitler became so popular in Germany:
- The desire for a heroic leader figure to guide Germany had been developing amongst the political right-wing before Hitler emerged to fit that mould.
- The German population were drawn to Hitler because they hoped for national rebirth.
- The NSDAP was a 'super-interest' group. During the divided and chaotic Weimar period many people longed for unity. This is what the NSDAP offered. For almost every social group there was some element of Nazism that was appealing.

1The Weimar Republic 1918-1933

1.1Establishment Of The Weimar Republic 1918-1924

1.1.1Post WW1

1.1.2Weimar Constitution

1.1.3Peace Settlement

1.1.4End of Topic Test - Germany Post WW1

1.1.5Economic Issues

1.1.6Economic Issues 2

1.1.7Social Issues

1.1.8End of Topic Test - Economic & Social Issues

1.1.9Extremist Threats

1.1.10Extremist Threats 2

1.1.11End of Topic Test - Extremist Threats

1.1.12Political Instability & The Invasion of the Ruhr

1.1.13Weimar Government by 1924

1.1.14End of Topic Test - Weimar Government by 1924

1.1.15A-A* (AO3/4) - Germany Post WW1

1.2The 'Golden Age' Of The Weimar Republic 1924-1928

1.2.1Economic Developments

1.2.2Industry & Agriculture

1.2.3End of Topic Test - Economic Developments

1.2.4Social Developments

1.2.5Social Developments 2

1.2.6End of Topic Test - Social Developments

1.2.7Political Parties

1.2.8Political Stability

1.2.9End of Topic Test - Weimar Politics

1.2.10Germany's International Position

1.2.11Germany's International Position 2

1.2.12End of Topic Test - International Position

1.2.13A-A* (AO3/4) - The Weimar 'Golden Age'

1.3The Collapse of Democracy 1928-1933

1.3.1The Impact Of The Depression

1.3.2Politics After The Depression

1.3.3The Appeal Of Extremism

1.3.4End of Topic Test - The Depression & Politics

1.3.5'Backstairs Intrigue'

1.3.6'Backstairs Intrigue' 2

1.3.7End of Topic Test - Backstairs Intrigue

1.3.8Political Developments

1.3.9The State by March 1933

1.3.10End of Topic Test - Political Developments

1.3.11A-A* (AO3/4) - The Collapse of Democracy

2Nazi Germany 1933-1945

2.1The Nazi Dictatorship 1933-1939

2.1.1Hitler's Consolidation Of Power

2.1.2The Terror State

2.1.3End of Topic Test - Consolidation of Power

2.1.4Opposition

2.1.5Propaganda

2.1.6A-A* (AO3/4) - Terror State & Propaganda

2.1.7End of Topic Test - Propaganda

2.1.8Economic Policies

2.1.9Economic Policies 2

2.1.10Impact Of Economic Policies

2.1.11Impact Of Economic Policies 2

2.1.12End of Topic Test - Economic Policies

2.1.13Social Policies

2.1.14Social Policies 2

2.1.15Volksgemeinschaft

2.1.16End of Topic Test - Social Policies

2.1.17A-A* (AO3/4) - Economic & Social Policies

2.2The Racial State 1933-1941

2.2.1The Radicalisation Of The State

2.2.2Anti-Semitism

2.2.3Development Of Anti-Semitic Policies

2.2.4Development Of Anti-Semitic Policies 2

2.2.5End of Topic Test - Anti-Semitism

2.2.6Treatment of the Jews in the Early Years of War

2.2.7Deportation & Anti-Semitism Evaluation

2.2.8End of Topic Test - Early Treatment of the Jews

2.2.9A-A* (AO3/4) - The Racial State

2.3The Impact Of War 1939-1945

2.3.1Home Front

2.3.2Impact On Society

2.3.3Impact On Society 2

2.3.4End of Topic Test - Impact of the War

2.3.5War Economy

2.3.6War Economy 2

2.3.7Policies Towards The Jews & Untermenschen

2.3.8A-A* (AO3/4) - Impact of the War

2.3.9End of Topic Test - War Economy

2.3.10Opposition

2.3.11Opposition 2

2.3.12Nazi State by 1945

2.3.13End of Topic Test - Opposition

2.3.14A-A* (AO3/4) - Opposition & The State in 1945

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