The Growth of Nazi Support 1929–32

The Wall Street Crash and Its Impact on Germany

In October 1929, the Wall Street Crash sent shockwaves across the world. Share prices on the New York stock exchange collapsed, and American banks demanded the repayment of their loans to Germany. Under the Dawes Plan, Germany had borrowed heavily from the USA to fund its economic recovery during the 1920s. When this money was recalled, German businesses closed, banks failed, and unemployment soared.

The Weimar government struggled to respond. Chancellor Brüning cut government spending and raised taxes, which made the depression worse. People lost faith in democracy. Desperate and angry, many Germans turned to extremist parties that promised radical solutions — the Nazis on the far right and the Communists on the far left.

The Growth of the Communist Party

The Communist Party (KPD) grew rapidly during the Depression. By November 1932, the KPD won 100 seats in the Reichstag. The Communists drew support from the unemployed and industrial workers, promising to redistribute wealth and nationalise industry. Their growth terrified Germany’s industrialists, landowners, and middle classes, who feared a Communist revolution like the one in Russia in 1917.

The Appeal of Hitler and the Nazi Party

Hitler was a gifted public speaker who could whip up a crowd’s emotions. He offered simple solutions to complex problems, blaming Germany’s suffering on the Treaty of Versailles, the Weimar politicians (the “November Criminals”), and Jewish people. His message appealed to different groups for different reasons:

• The unemployed were promised jobs through public works and rearmament.
• The middle classes were offered protection from communism and a return to traditional values.
• Farmers were promised higher food prices and protection from foreign imports.
• Industrialists were promised the destruction of trade unions and Communist organisations.
• Nationalists were promised the reversal of the Treaty of Versailles and the restoration of German greatness.

Goebbels and Nazi Propaganda

Joseph Goebbels became head of Nazi propaganda in 1930. He was a master of mass communication and used every available medium to spread the Nazi message. Goebbels organised rallies, torchlight parades, and mass meetings that created an atmosphere of power and excitement. He pioneered the use of radio, film, and posters, and ensured that Nazi slogans like “Work and Bread” were plastered across Germany.

Hitler himself flew across Germany by aeroplane during election campaigns — the “Hitler over Germany” tour of 1932 saw him visit 20 cities in just seven days. This was revolutionary for the time and helped create the image of a dynamic, modern leader who was everywhere at once.

The Role of the SA

The SA (Sturmabteilung), or Brownshirts, played a vital role in the Nazis’ rise. By 1932, the SA had over 400,000 members. They disrupted Communist and Social Democrat meetings, beat up political opponents, and protected Nazi rallies. The SA’s street violence gave many Germans the impression that the Weimar Republic was collapsing into chaos — and that only the Nazis could restore order. Ironically, the Nazis were creating much of that chaos themselves.

The Presidential Elections of 1932

In March 1932, Hitler stood against the ageing President Hindenburg in the presidential election. No candidate won a majority, so a second round was held in April. Hindenburg won that round with 53% of the vote, but Hitler gained an impressive 36.8% — over 13 million votes. This showed how far the Nazis had come from their dismal performance in the 1928 elections, when they won just 2.6% of the vote. Hitler was now a major national figure.