German Attitudes Towards Nazi Rule
Hitler's popularity wasn't just built on fear - many Germans genuinely supported him because their lives improved dramatically after 1933. The economic recovery from the Great Depression meant jobs returned, and Germany's international reputation was restored through military victories like reclaiming the Saar (1935) and occupying the Rhineland (1936).
However, three assassination attempts before 1939 show that not everyone was happy. Most Germans who disliked Nazi policies kept quiet because they feared the Gestapo, didn't know the full extent of Nazi crimes due to censorship, and saw no organised alternative since all other political parties were banned.
Army opposition proved particularly dangerous for Hitler. In 1938, he removed 16 critical generals, and General Ludwig Beck attempted to organise fellow officers to arrest the Führer. Beck later led assassination plots in 1943 and 1944, showing that even within the military establishment, resistance persisted.
Remember: Opposition existed at all levels of German society, but fear and Nazi successes made organised resistance extremely difficult.
