The appointment of Hitler as a chancellor in Germany in 1933 came with mixed reactions from Germans citizens. The responses emerged from the fact that Germany had been unstable with changes in the leadership after every few years. After the creation of the Weimar Republic, Germany had had 14 chancellors with each serving for a less period. While some people were attracted to Nazism, some objected regarding it as problematic and unacceptable. The paper will focus on the reasons for these reactions and factors which contributed to the attitude of Germans to the Nazis in their regime.
Some people were attracted to Nazism while others viewed it as problematic and unacceptable.
The constant adjustment to new administration made people yearn for stable and lasting governance, and this attracted people to Nazism. The primary reason that people affiliated with the Nazis were due to their swiftness in actions and implementation of their ideas. They came out as a dominant force that was optimistic to changes which many people appreciated. Some people were attracted to Nazism after the announcement by their leader, Hitler about his vision and future of the country. His speeches happened over the radio rather than in the parliament, (“Facing History and Ourselves,” 2017) some people interpreted this as a direct concern and involvement of the people and were able to relate to Nazism as a people-focused administration. In his addresses, he touched on issues and ideas that impacted the individuals directly such as unemployment, disunity, education, economic empowerment and activities like farming which most people could relate to and this played a significant role in attracting people to Nazism (Steinweis et al.., 2003).
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Despite the dominance and powerful projection of the Nazis, some people regarded the regime as problematic the alienation and exclusion of others form the counties affairs especially the Jews. Nazism used propaganda and terror to imprison and force out the Jews out of business. They also instilled fear in them through the constant threats and demeaning of their independence and freedom. Some people even found it unacceptable the enactment of laws that were against human rights. The Nazis passed laws that were favorable to them and hurt others especially their enemies. Also, people were discriminated by race, gender, and religion. It was problematic as it directly attacked people’s beliefs values norms and way of life (Cesarani, 2004).
What influenced people accepted the Nazi regime despite their actions and ideas?
People accepted the Nazi regime out of fear to safeguard their lives and their families. In spite of their objections to the Nazis, many people recognized the administration in the early years due to its pledge of economic improvement by pulling out of the great depression and provision of employment. Hitler’s government put in place new commercial programs that ensure Germans who were out of work secured jobs. They also put several plans to diversify professions such as funding of public constructions work and creation of new businesses. The government also ensured all the unemployed worked on the public lands and national construction problems which solved economic issues and livelihoods of Germans at the time. People were won over to the Nazis regime as a result of the fulfillment of the promise of employment in the “battle for work" campaign (“Facing History and Ourselves,” 2017).
Different ways that Germans responded to Nazi-led government and factors that influenced the responses.
In the early years of 1933, Germans responded to the Nazis regime trough acceptance and cooperation in the implementation of government policies such as employment programs and business creation strategies (Cesarani, 2004). The response motivation was the economic times of the great depression where people had no other option as they were unemployed and faced numerous economic crisis.
Germans responded to the Nazis regime by engaging in celebration and national festivities. Nazis frequently held festivals, ceremonies, and national festivities and encourage the public to join them. The constant presence of mass parades torch-lit marches, fireworks, drums, and band enticed the Germans to participate in the festivities (Gitlin, 2011). The factors that contributed to this response was the inescapable nature of the celebrations that presented no other options or opportunities to celebrate or Jubilate. Also after long periods of oppositions and discriminatory policies, people needed time to let go and lose themselves of their woes and troubles, and the public festivities presented this opportunity (Steinweis et al.., 2003).
Similarly, many Germans adapted to the current Nazis rule by incorporating the new government requirements and set standards. The introduction of new events and vocabularies both written and spoken coerced people to adjust (Crew, 2013). People adapted to living in environment propelled by propaganda and lies. The incorporation of new meaning to strengthen stereotypes and cause people to accept the government (Cesarani, 2004). For example, the constant dismissal of civil servants without reason caused them to adapt to the new rules that required the support of the national state at all times without reservation or risk losing their jobs many chose to obey in what was referred to as the ‘Law for the Restoration of a Professional Civil Service.’ (“Facing History and Ourselves,” 2017). Christians also adapted to the Nazis regime especially those from Protestant churches; they agreed to unite regional churches into a national church that supported Nazism. They did this to be able to continue practicing their religious beliefs while at the same time showed support for Hitler.
However, in response, some Germans responded to the Nazis regime through disapproval of boycotts. For example, the boycott of Jewish owned businesses where Germans disapproved of this and made their point by showing their discontentment openly and shopping at the stores. The factors that motivated their disapproval of the boycott are that many Germans were partners with the Jews in the business while others were employed and earned their living from the stores and boycotting the stores would only mean losses to them and their livelihood. (“Facing History and Ourselves,” 2017). The accounts show the response of Germans to the Nazi-led government to bring out the two sides of those who were attracted and supported the regime and those who found it problematic and unacceptable and objected to it. The reasons and evidence explains Nazism, its components, and outcomes.
References
Cesarani, David (2004), Holocaust: Hitler, Nazism and the "racial state “ Volume 1 of Holocaust: Critical Concepts in Historical Studies. Psychology Press.
Crew, David (2013). Nazism and German Society, 1933-1945- Rewriting Histories. Routledge, press.
“ Facing History and Ourselves” (2017) Holocaust and Human Behavior. Retrieved from: https://www.facinghistory.org/holocaust-and- human-behavior
Gitlin, M. (2011). The Holocaust . Edina, Minn: ABDO Pub. Co.Retrieved from: https://www.facinghistory.org/holocaust-and-human-behavior
Steinweis, A. E., Rogers, D. E., & Mazal Holocaust Collection. (2003). The impact of Nazism: New perspectives on the Third Reich and its legacy . Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.
