b) At the time, Hitler had not come to power, but was drumming up support and converting Germans to Nazism whilst trying to worm his way into power. This poster was published to remind and amplify the feelings of many Germans of disappointment in the Weimar government, and the problems the country was facing at the time. 3 years after the Wall Street Crash, Germany’s unemployment and inflation were very high, and people were getting frustrated at the indecisive Weimar democracy. This poster is trying to tell people that the only way to get out of the country’s problems is Hitler.
The lettering is carefully placed to emphasise the name of Hitler.
The message of a poster can be very powerful, much like advertising campaigns today. They are difficult to avoid, whereas you can choose not to listen to a radio or go to a rally.
The poster is very emotional, suggesting despair and implying that Hitler is the last chance for these people in the picture.
Lastly the poster is trying to raise support for Hitler before the elections in the following year. He needed strong support to try and become Chancellor, and I think this poster is part of this.
c)
Without Hitler there could have been no Nazi movement and certainly no Nazi government in 1933. However Hitler in turn depended on a range of factors in which to utilise his brilliant self qualities rather than use them solely.
Hitler's speeches were inspiring, he was a great public speaker who could enthuse the masses and ignite a sense of belief. his policies made sense and were aimed at the areas of politics that the German masses were resentful of i.e. the treaty of Versailles and reparations. his party were highly organised, flexible in their views (in the eyes of the electorate) and made promises that would benefit all sectors of the population. Further to this was the nazi's open, and forceful opposition to communism and the impressive use of force and discipline to engineer success for themselves. these characteristics were highly valued in a Germany where law and order were being constantly threatened.
Hitler was a brilliant speaker, and his eyes had a peculiar power over people. He was a good organiser and politician. He was a driven, unstable man, who believed that he had been called by God to become dictator of Germany and rule the world. This kept him going when other people might have given up. His self-belief persuaded people to believe in him.
The Wall Street Crash of 1929 provided the spark that allowed the Nazi's to gain support. All of a sudden the support of the American's and the aid pans were withdrawn, Germany was again isolated and the economy was in crisis. The rise in Unemployment and a renewed fear of a Communist uprising gave Hitler's messages a new importance. people were again interested in the views of this extremist party. In a land where the government was struggling to control the economy, the people and the communists any alternative that appears to be willing, and able, to combat the problems, through whatever means, is seen in a very positive light.
In November 1932 elections the Nazis again failed to get a majority of seats in the Reichstag. Their share of the vote fell – from 230 seats to only 196. Hitler contemplated suicide. But then he was rescued by Hindenburg.
Franz von Papen (a friend of Hindenburg) was Chancellor, but he could not get enough support in the Reichstag. Hindenburg and von Papen were having to govern by emergency decree under Article 48 of the Constitution. They offered Hitler the post of vice-Chancellor if he promised to support them.
Hitler refused – he demanded to be made Chancellor. So Von Papen and Hindenburg took a risk. On 30 January 1933 Hindenburg made Hitler Chancellor. He thought he could control Hitler – how wrong he was.
In the end, Hitler did not TAKE power at all – he was given it.
Add to this the weaknesses of the Weimar government itself. Proportional representation had led to a series of weak and ineffectual governments; it allowed the Nazi’s to become serious players without having a mass of public support. The government was perceived as being at fault for signing the treaty of Versailles and had lost support on several occasions for mismanaging the economic crisis. Hitler offered a feasible solution to each of these faults and so gained support and ultimately power.
