The Nazis' rise to power: Why was Hitler popular?

Hitler has total control of Germany, and is called ‘the leader’ - Führer. The Nazi Party is now the only party in Germany. Many Germans are terrified of Hitler and the Nazis. Political opponents and Jews suffer daily from threats, harassment, and violence. Many are murdered.

Yet Adolf Hitler is popular - even loved - by millions of Germans. Why? How is it possible for Hitler and the Nazis, in just a few years, to get the German people to vote them into power? Doesn’t everyone know what Hitler does to political opponents and Jews? Can’t they see how violent the Nazis are?

Why are so many Germans voting for them? In 1929, many countries suffer during the economic crisis. Especially Germany. Germany was blamed for starting The Great War, and is still paying war damages to the countries who won the war. Germany is poor.

Many Germans are deeply disappointed after losing the war, and feel unfairly treated by the world. Unemployment rises. Many are losing everything they own, and thousands are starving. The Germans are more and more dissatisfied with their politicians, who seem unable to solve the situation. Violence is common in the streets.

Germany is in crisis! This is Hitler’s opportunity. Hitler is a clever speaker. He promises the Germans that if the Nazis come into power: The people will get jobs and money. Germany will stop paying war damages.

And Germany will rebuild its military. With Hitler in power, Germany will be great and powerful again! Hitler blames the crisis on ‘cowardly politicians’ and Jews, and says they must pay for their ‘crimes’! The Germans listen! Even though there are many Germans who don't believe Hitler, the Nazis are very convincing.. ..and they use violence against their opponents.

Many Germans don’t dare to say what they think. The Nazis’ opponents become silent. Now that Hitler is in power, the Nazis work fast to keep their promises! They begin building up Germany's armed forces. According to an agreement, the Treaty of Versailles, they are not allowed to manufacture weapons.

Hitler ignores this. German industries start to produce huge amounts of weapons: tanks, submarines, and warplanes. This creates many thousands of new jobs. Also, all German boys over 18 must serve in the armed forces - do compulsory military service. Many young men go from being unemployed to being soldiers.

The Nazis build motorways - autobahns - all over Germany. Even more Germans get work! The unemployed are forced to take these state-provided jobs. If they don’t, they are classified as lazy: work shy. The ‘work shy’ are considered enemies of the state, and as punishment they are sent to newly built concentration camps.. ..where they are forced to work.

The Nazis write laws that say the German Jews are no longer German citizens: The Nuremberg Laws. Tens of thousands of Jews lose their jobs, which are given to "Aryan" Germans. In only two years, the Nazis halve unemployment. Many Germans begin to believe in the future promised by Hitler. Jobs.

Food on the table. Even state-provided leisure.. for the workers. They get free admission to the theatre, museums, and sporting events. Workers can also go on cheap holidays: two-week trips to Italy, or cruises to the Canary Islands.

Support for the Nazis grows and grows. At the same time, the Jews, the Roma, homosexuals, anyone with disabilities, and the few remaining political opponents.. ..get worse and worse treatment. In Hitler's Germany, they have no place. But most Germans are choosing to look the other way. The relief of being able to eat well, have a job, and live in law and order.. ..is outweighing concern for human rights.