Was the German Population willing supporters of the Nazi Regime?

Question

Dont just say yes or no, Give websites and proof of information.

I understand why they were willing supporters because Hitler would get them out of the misery, but did anyone try to stop the Nazis?? and if they did, how did they do it??

Answer 1

My great grandparents emigrated from Northern Germany to the USA in the early 1930's because they saw the "danger" that Hitler represented to the whole of Germany. They thought some of his ideas on restoring the economy were sound, but his methods were destructive.
Many people they knew in Germany were of similar thought, but could not, or would not, leave Germany.
A majority of the German population just wanted to regain national pride, and were tired of the rest of Europe crapping on them, particularly the french, and the Treaty of Versailles' unfair rules. Most were not members of the Nazi Party.
Look for a book called "Hitler's Scientists" by John Cornwell, there are some interesting facts about the feelings of the German people in this book.

Answer 2

Here is a simple, incomplete idea I have regarding your question.

Most Germans did not support the Nazi Party except at first, many Germans felt resentment for their condition and status as a results of the treaty that defined the end to WW I. It is called the Treaty of Versailles and it stung the Germans pretty good.

The Nazi's had some appealing slogans such as a "people's car (Volkswagen) in every garage' and "a chicken in every pot".

These slogans, much like the ones in our country are almost completely poppycock. Politicians spend much time trying to guess what the people want to hear then they include some version of this desire in their political platform. In Germany as well as in the USA, these slogans are almost completely BS.

As soon as the Nazi's gained power the abuse began. This abuse was not limited to Jews. Political dissidents, Communists, intellectuals and others were targets of the Nazi's and most of these people were...Germans.

I took an apartment from a wealthy family, for a time. This family had hidden a Jewish family, in their home, for three years toward the end of the war. The Gestapo searched the house several times and did not find the hidden family.

The Germans were no more Nazi's in 1938 than most Americans are Republicans in 2007. We have been taken over in what I feel is a similar situation to the hapless average German in the 1930's.

The Nazi's wanted...pay-back and I have noticed the same attitude with the majority of Republican politicians, especially about seven years ago. Of course, they sing a different song now they are about to qualify to face jail time.

Germany's situation ended with the closing of WW II. I hope our occupation ends in early 2008.

It was not my intention to start a person who reads vs. neo-con vitriol laced argument with this answer but I will defend my assumption if anyone wishes to call me on it.

Answer 3

Hitler was elected as chancellor, so he obviously had the support of the people. He was very crafty as he took more and more power onto himself. By the time the people realized what was happening it was too late to stop him without an open revolt. And with the SS and Gestapo around that was very unlikely. Any active dissenters disappeared, so there was not much of an underground movement in Germany. If you were trying to start a resistance movement, all it took was one vague hint or accusation and you would be arrested. And the Nazis had plenty of active supporters still, right to the end of the war, so it was not a safe environment for dissent.

Answer 4

By the time people started realizing just how evil this guy was, it was too late for the average German to do anything about it. Some, VERY FEW, did try, however, knowing their reward would be in heaven after the bullet to the back of the neck.
The German people have (yes, have) a mentality wherein they follow orders. Period. They don't even litter.
NOTHING excuses their behavior regarding the Jews and the others murdered in the Camps, not even their subsequent "we didn't know what was going on over there" pathetic excuse.
The French didn't help. They allowed the Little Corporal a place to start. Germany WAS treated brutally at Versailles leaving the Germans open to a beast like him.
Nothing, however, excuses the Germans themselves. There are still MANY who believe he was right and praise him for the bloody Autobahn and the Volkswagen. Just look at some of the questions and answers on this site and you'll see.

What'd I tell you. The proof is in the pudding.

Answer 5

Up to the last “free elections” of 1933, the National Socialist party got 43,9% (17 Million votes) and this in the presence of a violent bullying campaign. The estimated “spontaneous” support did not exceed one third, even though the voters reached 88% of the eligible population. The criminal methods subsequently used and the recovery of the economy, ascribed to the government, but in actual fact generalised in the whole of Europe, convinced the “wall sitters” to side with “law and order”. The fact that they were the “legal government” did the rest. It took a great deal of courage from “illuminated” circles to finally rebel (an un German characteristic) against the ruling party, but in 1944 a great many of the Military, mostly Prussian officers and intellectuals, did. Let us not forget that “opposition” led to the KZ’s (Lagers), Strafbattallions or “voluntary” Sturmabteilungen.
If you ask a German of that generation Today he will undoubtedly reply that “they did not know he was that bad”, a poor but understandable point of view in who had been brainwashed by Kaisel Willy 2, Hegel's "State Supremacy theory" (misconstrued) and blind faith in the “Obrigkeit” (Ruling class).
All this was tragedy for Europe and the rest of the World, but also for Germans, who have yet to overcome a creeping guilt, not only for the condemnable genocide of the Jews, but for having allowed such criminals to power.

Answer 6

Not at first, they only got a minority vote but hitler managed to persuade them that he could bring the country out of recession and make it strong again.
Once he became Chancellor he eliminated all his political opponents one at a time and as his policies appeared to succede more people supported him.
His initial success in the war increased this support and the people who opposed him were too frightened to say anything against the regime because of the extensive secret police network.
In July 1944 some army officers tried to murder him but by then it was too late to make any difference.

Answer 7

Initially, they had some reservations, however as Germany found its way out of the depression, they accepted his views eagerly, and in many cases blindly.

When the war began to turn on Germany, they again came to doubt him, and eventually to hate him.
There were several attempts on his life by military figures, the most well known, was the July 20th plot where a bomb was planted under the strategy table, but only injured him.

Answer 8

Most didn't see it as a Regime, they just looked at it like any other govt. No one really tried to stop them because they weren't considered bad at the time. Some did however oppose them, but not much was done besides writing diaries and testimonials

Answer 9

For the same reasons people support Bush.

http://antiwar.com/