Each document helps the reader understand the appeal of Hitler and the Nazi Party to
average Germans in the 1920s & 1930s by presenting the manipulation, ignorance, and influence
Hitler had on Germans. The rise of Hitler was mostly based on the recent events happening in
Germany at the time, for example, Hyperinflation, disliked democratic government, etc. Hitler
grew from uncomfortable and unhappy Germans who supported his ideas for a reform of
Germany.
The use of manipulation by Hitler on Germans set the appeal of Hitler and the Nazi Party
by average German citizens. According to Document 2, “Germany will have to fight for its
existence. It will neither obtain it by signatures on the Treaty [of Versailles], nor be able to
defend its existence if the treaty is followed.” Manipulation and lies by the Nazi Party and Hitler
on the German citizens in his book, Mein Kampf, 1925, which would influence average Germans
to favor Hitler. The urgency from Hitler on the survival of Germany due to the fault of the Treaty
of Versailles would cause more chaos in already panicked Germans, guiding them to bring Hitler
to power in Germany instead of the weak democratic government.
The use of ignorance by Hitler on Germans set the appeal of Hitler and the Nazi Party by
average German citizens. According to Document 1, “Full of hatred, they accused the
international financiers, the Jews and Communists – their old enemies – of having exploited their
distress,” and “Bitterness remained forever in their hearts.” The grudes/blame on people they
have conflict with in the past shows the ignorance they are expressing. Hitler and the Nazi Party
fed off this expression of blind hate to other groups to his rise to power, which has excited
Germans who appeal to this grude and follow him.
The use of influence by Hitler on Germans set the appeal of Hitler and the Nazi Party by
average German citizens. According to Document 3, 4, 5, “Hitler’s words were like lightning.
When he spoke of the disgrace of Germany, I felt ready to spring on any enemy,” “Despite their
best efforts, the republican leaders had rapidly produced the most dreadful poverty… In the first
year of the crisis the number of Nazi representatives elected to the Reichstag rose from 8 to 107.
A year later this figure was doubled,” and “We have witnessed many great marches and
ceremonies. But none of them were more thrilling, and at the same time more inspiring, than
yesterday’s gathering of 140,000 political leaders (heads of various local Nazi party groups) who
were addressed by the Führer (Hitler) at night…” The influence of Hitler speechs/marches on
German citizens were powerful to them and hooked them into loyalty/submission to him. Hitler’s
influence led to voters switching political sides for Nazi representatives for his ideas on how to
better the crisis happening in Germany at the time. The influence of Hitler and the Nazi party set
the appeal to average Germans through their ideas and powerful public marches and speeches.
In conclusion, the presentation of manipulation, ignorance, and influence of Germans in
the 1920s & 1930s helps the reader understand the appeal Germans had for Hitler and the Nazi
Party. Through the use lies to confuse Germans, blind hate pushed onto others by Germans, and
control used to hook Germans, shows how Germans believed and were loyal to Hitler and the
Nazi party.
