What were Nazi policies and how did they appeal to certain groups?

Reasons for the Appeal of Nazism by Social Group

Industrialists & Businessmen

Hitler’s leadership was appealing due to his anti-communism. Communism would see state control over businesses, which is what industrialists were afraid of. Meanwhile, Hitler’s industrialism and plans to invest in German industry to allow for autarky were also largely appealing. 

Middle Class

The middle class would support Nazism as it promised an authoritarian state, equipped with a strong leader that would revive German strength. They also promised solutions to the Great Depression, which would improve and restore a higher quality of life for the German people. This is something  that the Weimar politicians were unable to carry out.

Military & Soldiers

Nazism was appealing due to its militarism. Hitler aimed at reversing the Treaty of Versailles which created anger in Germany as it reduced the military and national pride. He also had a policy of lebensraum and Anschluss, which involved the expansion of the German Empire and uniting all German speakers. Thus, Hitler’s policies towards the military and expansion meant that Nazism was appealing to the army.

Nationalists

Nationalists would support the Nazi Party as the party believed in Nationalism, and installing Hitler as the strong, all powerful dictator or Fuhrer of Germany. They also disliked the foreign influence in Germany, and this would be reduced under the policy of achieving autarky. Furthermore, they believed that Germans are the superior race, and would support Hitler’s racial policies towards the Jews and other minorities. Overall, Nationalists supported Nazism because the Nazi Party promised to restore Germany’s international prestige through improving the economy and reviving the military (and thus national pride).

Workers & Peasants

Some of the Nazi policies were appealing to workers and peasants who faced unemployment and low wages. The nazis were able to present solutions to the economic problems brought on by the Great Depression, namely profit-sharing in large industries and higher welfare for the industrial workers and peasants.