The growth in support for the Nazi Party
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain why support for the Nazi Party increased in the years 1929-32.
Key learning points
- The Nazi Party gained support as unemployment soared, exploiting economic despair and Weimar democratic failures.
- Hitler’s charisma and modern campaign tactics made him appear as Germany’s only hope for stability and power.
- Nazi propaganda, led by Goebbels, used rallies, posters, and media to target workers, farmers, and the middle class.
- The SA used violence and intimidation to silence opponents, with police and courts often favouring the Nazis.
- Fear of communism and cultural decline drove many Germans to see Hitler as a necessary protector of Germany.
Keywords
Propaganda - information or ideas that are spread with the intention of influencing people's opinions; media that is designed to promote a particular political agenda
Decadence - a state of moral or cultural decline, often associated with excessive indulgence, luxury, or a lack of discipline
Common misconception
The Nazis only gained power through fear and intimidation.
In reality, while violence played a role, their rise was also driven by economic despair, propaganda, Hitler’s appeal, and democratic failures. Many Germans voted for them willingly, believing they offered hope and stability.
Teacher tip
Propaganda, then and now: Compare Nazi propaganda techniques to modern political advertising and social media strategies. Discuss how repetition, symbols, and emotional appeal are still used today.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.During the economic crash, Germany’s parliament was paralysed by disagreement, leading to the use of the emergency powers under , which fuelled public discontent and weakened faith in democracy.
Q2.Match each term with its description.
deepened the economic crisis through spending cuts
promised to give control of the economy to workers
led to mass unemployment in Germany
Q3.What is the best definition of the term 'depression' in this historical context?
Q4.At the height of the Great Depression in 1932, approximately how many Germans were unemployed?
Q5.What was one reason unemployed workers were attracted to the Communist Party?
Q6.How did fear of communism contribute to Hitler’s rise to power?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.How did the Great Depression contribute to the rise of the Nazi Party?
Q2.How did Hitler make himself appear as Germany’s only hope for stability and power?
Q3.Why did some Germans view Weimar Germany as being in a state of ‘decadence’?
Q4.Starting with the earliest, sort these events into time order:
Q5.What role did the SA (stormtroopers) play in Nazi political strategy?
Q6.Why did the presence of 100 Communist deputies in the Reichstag alarm some Germans?
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: The growth in support for the Nazi Party, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: The growth in support for the Nazi Party, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the Germany 1890–1945, Democracy and dictatorship unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.