This book gave a different outlook of the Nazi's rise in its power. Books that we have read so far gave Hitler-oriented view of Nazi movement. However, Allen complemented my understanding of Nazi's progress with information in the social and psychological dynamic of the public.
Northeim had much potential to be fervent supporters of Nazi movement. First of all, the idea of nationalism--the fundamental and consistant ideology of NSDAP--was strongly present in the town. There were several militaristic and nationalistic organizations in the town and the membership was significant. These groups were respected and played an important role in the society since it frequently held events. Also, hobby groups, which "cemented individual citizens together" always "became infused with nationalism". Allen later writes, "idea of Nazism that Northeimers recognized clearly in these early days was its claim to fervent patriotism and militarism. This was a foot in the door of respectability, as the number and nature of the town's nationalistic social organizations shows." (35).
"The economic structure of Northeim kept the middle classes from being hard pressed...But the depression engendered fear...In this situation, the voice of the Nazi began to be heard" (24,25). This really stuck out to me because Kershaw claims that Hitler used strong emotions such as fear and hatred to stir up the public. NSDAP's ideologies, even though not too concrete, was broad enough so that majority of the public could emotionally relate to them. It is interesting how it was the invisible emotion of fear rather than visibile signs of moderate stability that affected the Northeim people more.
Nazis used manipulated the people and propaganda extremely well to be known, but not well-known political party. The major increase in Nazi power also came with people's distress towards their economic and political system increased. The fall of Worker's Funeral Savings Society and the greatest number of unemployment made the Northeim audience bitter (93). People wanted to reject anything related to their contemporary republic. They looked for something different and new. They started to mobilize themselves and revolt.
Hitler was the prime embodiment of their overall desire. He was new, he wanted to change up the entire government system, and massive NSDAP propaganda and constant new tactics in approaching the public made it seem like Hitler was 'the' answer to their problem.
As you say, the Nazi foot in the door of respectability came when the Nazis began making claims of patriotism and then on being the only real party for patriots. They tapped into the deep need of the people to identify with a winner. They began to consolidate power only through their adroit merger of nationalism and Nazism. This is exemplified by Hitler appearing numerous times in public and in court displaying his Iron Cross. Hitler's idea to cloak his ideology behind a facade of a sort of "innocent" and benign nationalistic fervor was one of his best ideas. To attack Hitler, then, became an attack on Germany. Once the people began to make that connection in their minds, Hitler's power was determined.
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