Many members of the German public were frightened of communism and Hitler saw this as an opportunity to get votes so he made his party firmly against communism and even said he was frightened of it himself. The public saw Hitler as their Christian salvation. Without Hitler, another party could have thought of this idea and thought of another person as their salvation. Therefore, losing votes. In addition to this, it was Hitler’s idea to put the ‘Red Scare’ in motion. This was when someone who was never identified set the Reichstag building on fire. However, Hitler put a spin on this by saying that a communist caused the fire, and the fire was an attempt by the Communist party to take over Germany. This ingenious idea helped the Nazi parties get more votes, which could not have been done without Hitler.
The Treaty of Versailles affected everyone and by using it Hitler targeted all of Germany, another good idea of his. In one of his speeches he said that the Treaty of Versailles had made Germany weak, but he would make them strong again. This definitely persuaded people to vote for the Nazi party and this couldn’t have been done without Hitler.
Depression was a serious issue throughout Germany and Hitler used this as an advantage. People became desperate, they were out of work and therefore deprived of a good lifestyle, so they turned to the extreme ideas of Nazis and communists. Hitler said if his party was elected then he would make sure that all the unemployed would find jobs and to put an end to the depression. Because it was such a big issue, it persuaded the German public to vote for Hitler. This was another good idea of Hitler’s.
Hitler challenged himself to do different things that people only wished they could do. He then realised to get peoples attention; he would have to be strong. People knew he was powerful as he radiated confidence and self-belief; therefore he ‘sold Nazism.’
Hitler past in the military earned respect. He played up to this and wore military uniform to important events and he won the Iron Cross award. If people respect you, then they are more likely listen to you and your views. People may not have listen as much to the Nazi party without Hitler.
Nazism was partly based on the content of Mein Kompf. This broadened the amount of people that supported the Nazi party because they respected Hitler and agreed with his views. If Hitler hadn’t written his autobiography he may have no earned as much respect as he did, therefore losing limelight.
On the other hand, if there were not such a fear throughout Germany of communism, would the Nazi party have gotten as much votes? Hitler played up very well to this fear by putting a spin on the ‘Red Scare’ and even pretending to be scared of it himself. I think if there wasn’t such fierce fear, then the German public wouldn’t have thought as Hitler as their salvation.
In addition to this, without the Great Depression or Wall Street Crash I don’t think the Nazi party would have received as many votes. Hitler based his views and promises on the solutions to the troubles throughout Germany, the party didn’t need Hitler if none of these events had happened.
In conclusion, I think Hitler played an important but not vital role in the Nazi parties rise to power because if their was not such a fear of communism or the Great Depression or Wall Street Crash hadn’t have taken place then this would not have enabled him to receive so many votes. But I think Hitler did play an important role because he was a powerful and passionate speaker, members of the Brown Shirts supported him, he thought of the ‘Red Scare’, played up to the fear of communism, used the Treaty of Versailles and Depression to his advantage, he ‘sold Nazism,’ he earnt respect because of his past in the military and his autobiography gained a lot of attention.
Ellie Bird Year 9 Miss Morris
