So although the link between the unemployment in Germany and the Nazis votes is clear up to 1932 it breaks at after that date. Evidence for other factors to why the Nazis won seats were that the German people thought that there was no strong government at the time and the Weimar government was look down upon. Nazis had several methods of gaining support. A major effect was the propaganda, Hitler had organized many rallies that impressed people with the enthusiasm it’s energy and gave a lot of exposure showing the desperate Germans he cared.
Not everyone supported the Nazis, most of them might have still voted for the Nazis otherwise, negative cohesion not because they shared the same views as such but because they shared the same fears and dislikes, such as fear of communism. German business men and farmers saw the communist party having votes were a big threat because of the ways that the run a country.
In conclusion, the level of unemployment played a major role to why the Nazis votes increased and to a certain extent but it needs to be taken into account that there were several other factors that increased or decreased the Nazis votes.
May 1924, the Weimar republic was at its height. Hyperinflation rampant and unemployment stood at 2 million (13.7%), its peak for period. The Nazis fought their first election and achieved a very creditable 32 seats for the Reichstag (6.7%).
By November 1924, the economic crisis in the Weimar republic was coming to an end. The hyperinflation had been brought under control following the introduction of the Rentenmark and unemployment had fallen by half to 1 million (6.7%). Nazis policies were less attractive and they lost seats in the Reichstag to 14 seats (2.8%).
May 1928, the Weimar republic was at its popular peak. The crisis of 1923-1924 seemed to be only a bitter memory as the economy boomed and the unemployment remained relatively low. Even though it had risen to 1.5 million (10%) since 1924, this was not seen as a huge problem. The Nazis seemed to be a spent force in the election gaining only12 seats in the Reichstag (2.4%).
The economy was in deep depression as the result of the Wall Street Crash of November and the recall of the American loans that had propped it up. Unemployment had rocketed to 3.1 million () and the Weimar republic seemed incapable of solving the problems. The Nazis, however began to be seen as a way out and their support rose, gaining 107 seats in the Reichstag.
Unemployment had continued to rise to 5.5 million. The faith in the German people in democracy seemed to be totally shattered. The Nazis continued to rise in popularity wining 230 seats in the Reichstag.
November 1932, the depression was beginning to come to an end and the unemployment level began to fall but still stood at 5 million. The Nazis party’s support fell slightly, but still remained the largest single party with 196 seats in the Reichstag.
Germany was especially badly hit, as the borrowed money which had helped stabilize Germany's situation had to be given back to the American businessman, as now they needed the money. Germany's economy collapsed businesses went bankrupt, workers were then laid off and so unemployment soared. The depression hit Germany very hard, as the loans which they had depended on has gone, and yet they still had to pay reparations to the Allies.
The Nazi ideas were now recognised more by the German people. Germans felt that the Weimar Constitution was incompetent and indecisive and so word of the Nazis spread and now people decided to listen to their extremist ideas, as now everyone was unemployed, they turned to extremist parties to solve their problems.
The depression made many people support the Nazis, as they were fed up with how poorly Weimar was dealing with the problems. The impact of the depression made many people support the Nazis. The Nazis managed to succeed in elections and were well-known by the 1930s, partly due to the election in 1932, in which the Nazis got nearly 200 seats, making them the largest single party. The 1932 election got Hitler noticed, partly as he had been flying around Germany to many rallies, campaigning for people to vote for him. This was a new idea, as leaders just didn't fly around giving speeches it made Hitler very popular. He was viewed as a modern, dynamic leader.
In the 1930s Joseph Goebbels, the propaganda chief, re-created the events of 1929-33, showing how Hitler was destined to become leader of Germany - this, as well as many other successful propaganda posters, persuaded people to support the Nazis. They quite often played on the fear of Communism, the hatred of the Treaty of Versailles and the fact that the unemployed Germans needed work, freedom and bread. Goebbels played on people's fear of Communists, often using people's fear of them in his propaganda, so as to rally people against the Communists and for the Nazis. Goebbels was a credit to Hitler, as he was a superb Propaganda chief, years ahead of his time, which was very helpful in making Hitler Chancellor (eventually). The German people felt very strongly about the Weimar and he Treaty of Versailles and how harsh it was, which was a common hate that both the German people and Hitler shared - one of the major common dislikes that made many of the German people support the Nazis. The Nazis held huge rallies, which impressed everyone, with their energy, enthusiasm and discipline, which was a joy to behold in a time of such great hopelessness. After hyperinflation and now the depression, this sight of order and discipline was a wonder to behold, which made many people support the Nazis.
The Nazis played on people's fear of Communism, and so they included that in their propaganda, making the Communists look mischievous and untrustworthy. This built up Nazi support and lessened the Communist support. The Nazis used negative cohesion' methods to rally up support, as they played on people's fears and shared their dislikes.
the Nazis set up soup kitchens and provided shelter for the unemployed, making them seem even more helpful and so their support grew more, for many unemployed people shared Nazi dislikes and wanted a way out of their constant suffering the hyperinflation and the depression.
Using propaganda films, radio and records, he brought his message across and influenced millions of people many from radio broadcasts, which he encouraged people to listen to. He became known for his modern ideas, as an energetic man of the moment, yet he also appeared to be a man of the people someone who understood the common people and what they wanted. He often criticised the Weimar government and the Treaty of Versailles, a feeling which many people shared and helped bring the Nazis support. Due to these factors, Nazi support rocketed. For example, in Neidenburg in East Prussia, Nazi support rose from 2.3% in 1928 to over 25% in 1931, even though the town had no local party and Hitler never once visited.
The Nazis also got support from the many people who believed in the old-fashioned, traditional values, by talking about restoring these traditional values, which the Weimar decadence had put under threat. The Social Democratic Party didn't think that people would fall for Hitler's vague promises, and the anger that the German people felt towards the Weimar government, and so therefore underestimated Hitler's popularity.
