 Middle-class fears of the rise of Communism  Suspicion and dislike of banks as a result of the Great Depression  Popular mythology linking banks and the Jews  False application of Darwin’s theories to society  Many unemployed people who craved a purpose in life

 Countries need a strong leader  Democracy is weak and ineffective  Young people should be organized in a military fashion  All groups – trade unions, professional associations, sports clubs etc. should be controlled by the State  Only one political party should be permitted  Countries need a powerful army

 Massive unemployment and inflation  Fears of Communism  Dislike of Jews as agents of capital  Humiliation and Germany’s defeat in World War I  Anger at terms of the Treaty of Versailles  Existence of many paramilitary groups of ex-soldiers, often secretly supported by the Army  Charismatic personality of Adolf Hitler  Huge, visually-impressive Party rallies