One of the reasons Hitler enjoyed so much power was the fact that many different levels of German society were drawn to the Nazis and their leader.
Early on, in the 1920s, the majority of Nazis were beer-hall-brawler street thugs and the disillusioned and desperate. Then, as the party grew, many everyday Germans looked to the Nazi Party as the party that could restore order in a Germany rife with civil unrest and political extremism, and restore Germany’s honor after the shame of Versailles.
Hitler was imprisoned after a failed Putsch, and when he got out, he focused on gaining power via political means. His attempted Putsch, trial, and imprisonment had won him many fans. His newly released book, Mein Kampf, had provided him with plenty of press, and plenty of money to fund the expansion of the Nazi Party.
Hitler set out to win elections, and the Nazis slowly grew in power. Then, the economy improved, and extreme parties like Hitler’s lost favor. There was no need for extreme ideas in Germany- things were looking up.
The crash of 1929 brought the Nazis back into favor, and they were soon the most powerful party in the country. Germans believed Hitler could do great things for Germany.
Many at lower levels were drawn to the opportunity offered by being a Nazi in a Nazi Germany. Many veterans and proud Germans saw Hitler as the man who would avenge Germany’s shame. Everyday Germans- bakers, doctors, teachers- saw the Nazis as the party of order and stability, and as the solution to Germany’s economic woes.
As Hitler took greater control, becoming Chancellor and then absolute ruler of Germany, the Party drew more and more people in. Richer levels of German society, who had in the past opposed Hitler or thought they could use him as a pawn, were now genuinely drawn to Hitler, both out of self-preservation and belief in the ability for the Nazis to bring greater wealth, power, and prestige to Germany.
Hitler enjoyed his greatest draw after defeating France in 1940. At that time, the overwhelming majority of Germans at all levels were drawn to Nazism and thought their Führer was infallible.
In the beginning, the lowest levels were drawn to Hitler. Later, every level of German was drawn to him. Of course, then 1941 happened, and Hitler and Nazism started to rapidly lose their appeal.
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