Why did the Germans support Hitler through hyper-inflation?

Answer 1

Answer this question…People supported Hitler when he took power because conditions were so bad in Germany that they were willing to try anything. They continued to support him afterwards because, before he started his war, he was doing what he promised and things in Germany kept getting better, if you weren't a Jew, that is. When the war started, Hitler had been right about so many things before then that the people gave him the benefit of a doubt until it became obvious that it would not turn out well. Before Hitler began his war, his approval rating was in the 90's as he had achieved much up until that point. There is a consensus among historians that if Hitler would have died in 1938, he would today be remembered as the greatest German leader of modern times and would be honored along with Frederick the Great and Bismarck.

Official polling was not done during the war, but the Gestapo regularly made internal reports on the public mood, and certain underground opposition groups did the same. A close examination of these sources reveal, not surprisingly, that Hitler's approval rating diminished in direct proportion to German losses on the battlefield and the resultant effects on the German people at home. But at no point did the Germans of those days completely give up on their Fuehrer. When a group of Army officers attempted to assassinate Hitler shortly after the D-Day landings (the July 20, 1944 plot known as Valkyrie), they received no popular support. An entire generation of Germans had grown up in the Hitler Youth and many would remain loyal to Hitler long after he was dead.

Here is documentation of a POLL of Germans taken many decades back. It is from a book by Albert Speer about the Nuremberg criminals who served time in Spandau prison in Berlin for their crimes.

April 11, 1953 Spandau: The Secret Diaries: Through a clandestine note from his son-in-law, Doenitz has heard the results of a (July 1952) survey . . . . He himself stands at the head of the list of formerly prominent personages (former Nazis) whom the Germans still have a good opinion of. Doenitz has 46 percent; he is closely followed by Schacht with 42, Goering with 37, myself with 30, Hitler with 24 percent. Schirach and Hess lag behind with 22 percent. Seven percent have a bad opinion of Doenitz, 9 percent of me, 10 of Schacht, 29 of Schirach and Hess, 36 of Goering and 47 percent of Hitler. "Because the German people cherish me in their hearts, I shall soon be getting out," Doenitz observed complacently as he stood beside me today washing his hands. Nevertheless, the letter gave Doenitz no pleasure, for his son-in-law unforgivably passed on the information that he is now as popular as Rommel. In a tone of sharp repugnance, Doenitz commented that Rommel had been nothing but a Propaganda hero because he participated in the July 20 conspiracy. Then Doenitz stalked off. (Speer II)

This poll reveals that in 1952, a full 25% of Germans still thought well of Hitler, and only 47% would say they disapproved of him!

As to why the German people continued to support Hitler during the war, the Allies policy of 'Unconditional Surrender' left them little realistic choice. Hitler was certain that if he surrendered to the Allies, no matter how dread the situation facing Germany was, the Allies would destroy Germany in the same manner that he himself intended to destroy his own enemies. Nazi propaganda utilized 'Unconditional Surrender' to spur the German people on, even in the face of hopeless odds. The behavior of the Red Army as they murdered and raped their way into Germany confirmed their worst fears and caused them to support their government until the last minute

Answer 2

The German people believed that Hitler would bring power and glory back to Germany.

Answer 3

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