Year 11 - History
The growth in support for the Nazi Party
Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918–39
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils study a modern society and the issues that affected it in great depth over a shorter period. They learn about the key events, developments, people and stories that shaped this modern society over a period of around twenty to thirty years.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain why support for the Nazi Party increased in the years 1929-32.
Key Notes
- The Nazi Party gained support as unemployment soared, exploiting economic despair and Weimar democratic failures.
- Hitler's charisma and modern campaign tactics made him appear as Germany's only hope for stability and power.
- Nazi propaganda, led by Goebbels, used rallies, posters, and media to target workers, farmers, and the middle class.
- The SA used violence and intimidation to silence opponents, with police and courts often favouring the Nazis.
- Fear of communism and cultural decline drove many Germans to see Hitler as a necessary protector of Germany.
Vocabulary To Learn
- propaganda: information or ideas that are spread with the intention of influencing people's opinions; media that is designed to promote a particular political agenda
- decadence: a state of moral or cultural decline, often associated with excessive indulgence, luxury, or a lack of discipline
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- The Nazis only gained power through fear and intimidation.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
The Nazi Party gained support as unemployment soared, exploiting economic despair and Weimar democratic failures. Hitler's charisma and modern campaign tactics made him appear as Germany's only hope for stability and power.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'propaganda'
information or ideas that are spread with the intention of influencing people's opinions; media that is designed to promote a particular political agenda.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: The Nazis only gained power through fear and intimidation. Correction: In reality, while violence played a role, their rise was also driven by economic despair, propaganda, Hitler's appeal, and democratic failures. Many Germans voted for them willingly, believing they offered hope and stability.
More Lessons In This Unit
- 1923, the Ruhr and hyperinflation Study Guide
- Early unrest and the Treaty of Versailles Study Guide
- Economic recovery under Stresemann Study Guide
- Employment in Nazi Germany Study Guide
- Goebbels and propaganda in Nazi Germany Study Guide
- Hitler's creation of a dictatorship Study Guide
- How Hitler became Chancellor of Germany Study Guide
- Nazi control of the police and the legal system Study Guide
- Nazi racial ideology and the treatment of minorities Study Guide
- Opposition and resistance in Nazi Germany Study Guide
- Social and economic change 1924-29 Study Guide
- Stresemann's international achievements Study Guide
- The early development of the NSDAP Study Guide
- The First World War and the German Revolution Study Guide
- The growth of unemployment and rise in support for the Communist Party Study Guide
- The Munich Putsch Study Guide
- The Nazi Party and religion Study Guide
- The NSDAP's 'lean years' Study Guide
- The persecution of Jews Study Guide
- The Reichstag Fire and the Enabling Act Study Guide
- The Weimar Republic Study Guide
- Threats to the Weimar Republic from the left and the right Study Guide
- Weimar culture 1924-29 Study Guide
- Women in Nazi Germany Study Guide
- Work and life in Nazi Germany Study Guide
- Young people in Nazi Germany Study Guide
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