Why did millions of apparently sane, rational Germans support the Nazi Party between 1925 and 1933? In this provocative book, William Brustein argues that the Nazi Party's emergence as the most popular political party in Germany was eminently logical and was largely a result of its success at fashioning economic programs that addressed the material needs of a wide range of German citizens.

Includes bibliography and index.

1. Who Became Nazis and Why? -- 2. Weimar Political Parties -- 3. The Middle Class and Weimar Political Parties -- 4. The Working Class and Weimar Political Parties -- 5. Selective Incentives and Disincentives for Joining the Nazi Party -- Appendix A: Social Ranking and Occupational Standing -- Appendix B: Brustein-Falter BDC Membership Sample Variables -- Appendix C: A Chronology of Significant Weimar Events.