Why did so many German politicians and businessmen support the Nazi rise to power?
German culture places a high value on national pride. After their humiliating defeat in World War 1 (1914-1918) the German people needed desperately to believe in some hero who would restore Germany to her former glory. Hitler (evil as he was), a charismatic figure and captivating speaker, tapped into this need with a deadly combination of nationalist rhetoric, racial superiority theories and scapegoating. The Jews (and Slavs and gypsies, but mainly Jews) were the perfect target. Anti-semitism in Europe has a long tradition (over 1000 years).In fact, it’s still going strong today. People also resented that many Jews were well educated, accomplished and prosperous. Hitler channeled the German people’s frustration and bitterness towards the Jews and the people bought it, hook line and sinker. Could it happen here? Yes, it could happen anywhere. The Nazis weren’t the first to do this. They just had the technology to do it on an immense scale, and the technology of photography and film bro
