Paper 2- Nazi Germany

(c)        Source E is useful in giving us evidence about why many people were prepared to support Hitler in the 1930’s,however, source D isn’t as useful. Source E is a written extract from a book published in 1970. The source is an extract written by a man called Albert Speers about his thoughts when he saw Hitler speak for the first time. The book was published in 1970 which makes it more useful because we know that in this period of time all media or anything that was being made available to the public wasn’t controlled like it used to be when the Nazi’s were in power. Therefore, we know that it wasn’t controlled or made bias toward the Nazi’s.

“All the students wanted to hear this man so admired by his followers”, this quote from source E suggests that although no students from the university had ever seen or heard Hitler speak before they were eager to because he was admired by his followers. This evidence shows the reader that although the students were not Nazi followers they had heard about him and were eager to listen to him even if they didn’t know what he was like. The main piece of evidence in this source that really shows that people were prepared to support Hitler is in the last sentence of Source E. Speers says “I joined the Nazi Party the next day”. Speers had only seen Hitler speak once yet he was already convinced by him that the Nazis were really going to change Germany and make it a better place. Speers talks about Hitler as though he was a savior and had “hope” and “a new understanding”. Hitler must have been extremely charismatic and a good speaker for someone like Speers to change their mind in a day. If Speers changed his mind in a day, what about all the other students and staff at the university who were communist supporters, some of them would have undoubtedly joined the Nazi’s. In conclusion, Source E it useful as evidence about why many people were prepared to support Hitler in the early 1930’s.

The photograph in source D is a Nazi poster of 1932, the words translate to: ‘Hitler – our last hope’. This poster is not at all useful as evidence about why many people were prepared to support Hitler. Source B was made by a Nazi follower therefore is bias towards the Nazis. In conclusion, there is no way that the picture would be useful as evidence about why people were prepared to support Hitler in the early 1930’s.

4. “The depression was the main reason why Hitler became leader of Germany”.

There are many reasons why Hitler became leader of Germany. To start with the depression occurred. Millions of people all over Germany became unemployed and homeless, wages were falling, factories and businesses were closing down and the German people wanted change. In 1929 the number of people unemployed was around 1,300,000 billion and the German people were suffering. Then hyperinflation occurred and prices for food rose extremely high. Not only were the people of Germany now unemployed but but they were also starving. The Weimar Republic became weaker. They signed the unpopular Treaty of Versailles and were becoming unpopular. In 1932 Hitler got 13 million votes when he stood for president against Hindenburg. Although he lost, people started noticing him and joining the Nazi’s. In the same year the Nazis won 37 per cent of the votes in the general election. By this time, the number of unemployed reached a total of 5,102,000. The German people now really wanted change and needed a party that could give them what they wanted. The Nazi’s then became the largest single party in the Reichstag. In 1933, Hitler was appointed chancellor by President Hindenburg.

        Hitler, as an individual, was a good speaker, had clear ideas and was extremely charismatic and hypnotic when speaking. He told Germany things they wanted to hear and promised them what they wanted. He promised them jobs, food and houses to live in. Not only that, but he told them that Germany would build up its army and go against the Treaty of Versailles and regain the land lost at Versailles.

In conclusion, I agree with the view that if it hadn’t been for the depression, Hitler would have never become the leader of Germany.

By Olivia Bartlett 10E