Peer-pressured into Nazism

Northeim started off as sounding like the ideal place to live. It was an example that living simply allowed for a peaceful existence. The town did not rely on technology, most everyone lived comfortably off of their own revenue, and people did not fight in order to gain power. Because they had never known many luxuries, there was nothing for the townspeople to want or to fight over. There were definite differences in class, but those differences were recognized without a power struggle. However, these “political divisions…class lines…occupational lines…areas of segregation…[and] religious and social divisions” that were once part of everyday life provided the Nazis and the SPD with ammunition to divide the country even further (Allen 22). Once a new way of life filled with money and power was introduced by the Nazis and the SPD, Northeim was tempted to the point of giving up their former successful existence.

The pressures from the surrounding areas in Germany, as well as from the United States, pushed Northeim into supporting Nazism. In Germany, Hanover to the north and Gottingen to the south both had increasing support for Nazism. Eventually, the ideologies from these two towns found its way into Northeim, as all across Germany there were people who “could not accept Germany’s defeat, revolution, and the resultant democracy” (Allen 25). The Nazis aimed their propaganda at these citizens who were already aligned with the message of Nazism, as opposed to trying to sway people who were not on their side. Although this resulted in fewer members at first, the members that they did have became even more passionate toward the cause.

Even if they did not side with the Nazi party from a political standpoint, the economic crisis in Germany and in the United States was enough to scare many citizens of Northeim into supporting Nazism. Although their economy was strong, many people in Northeim were afraid of what would happen in the future, were they to stay on the side of the SPD.

Overall, it sounded to me as if Northeim reluctantly gave in to Nazism. Were it not for the surrounding countries adopting Nazi ideology and the fear of the spread of the economic crisis, I do not think Northeim citizens on their own would have accepted Nazism.