How Did Hitler Affect White Germans?

[Rev. Rye]

Well, one historian wrote a book about it: It's called The Nazi Seizure of Power by William Sheridan Allen. Essentially, it's a case study of a small town in Germany called Northeim. They voted the Nazis into power in 1932, but when they came into power, remaking Germany in their own image, including Northeim, they ultimately failed to sustain their enthusiasm. After the Nazis took over all social groups in the town (even bowling leagues), they wound up just mostly going through the motions; not totally embracing it, but not revolting because there was simply no point in doing so. It's not perfect, but any understanding of the effects of Hitler's rule on the average German (even before the war) really needs to grapple with it.