Why did Germans vote for Hitler?

Wednesday 5th October, 11am - 12 noon

On 30th January 1933 Adolf Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany, the first fateful step in the creation of a totalitarian Nazi dictatorship. Although backroom deals with political elites brought Hitler his chancellorship, it was the Nazis’ extraordinary electoral successes that made possible their rise to power. Since July 1932, when an absolute majority of Germans had voted for anti-democratic parties on the right and left and nearly 14 million, 37 per cent of the electorate, had voted NSDAP, Hitler’s party had become by far the most popular in Germany.

In this webinar, Professor Alex Watson, draws on new research to explore why Germans voted for Hitler. It examines how religion, class and unemployment shaped the constituencies which supported the Nazis, and it also reconstructs how propaganda, passions and a polarised ‘culture war’ brought about Hitler’s rise, birthing a new age of extremes.

Note: you will need to watch a short video about the topics and issues being discussed in this webinar, before the event.

You can book onto this event as an individual (and access it from home or school/college) or you can make a group booking.