How did the Nazi party win the hearts and minds of the German population in the 1930s?

This question is very broad and there are many reasons for how the Nazi party were popular in Germany. Examples include their use of propaganda, most specifically their rhetoric of the 'volksgemeinschaft', meaning the 'people's community.' Examples of this include the Hitler Youth, which began as a voluntary youth group, but became compulsory as the decade wore on and Germany geared up for war, eventually enrolling more than 9 million young Germans.

Aside from propaganda and public campaigns, the Nazi party were also successful through forceful campaigns. During the Night of the Long Knives in 1934, many enemies of the party were purged, specifically in the Jewish community. This is an important distinction, as the question asks about "hearts and minds", you have to consider ways they won genuine support, and others where they forced it. They used equal tactics of coercion and brutality in order to win over the public, and remove their enemies or those they deemed 'undesirable to society.'

GA
Answered by George A. History tutor

6014 Views

See similar History A Level tutors

Related History A Level answers

All answers ▸

‘The discovery of gold and diamonds was the most significant development in southern Africa in the years 1867 to 1902.’ Explain why you agree or disagree with this view AQA 25 MARKS


Was Nazi support in the years 1930 - 32 a reaction to the growth of Communism?


Assess the view that US involvement in the First World War did more to advance women’s rights that any other factor in the period from 1865 to 1992.


Was the British government's decision to follow a policy of appeasement during the 1930s a wise one?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning