Name: ____________________________________________ Date: _______________________ Period: ___________
The Boycott: A Rehearsal for the Nazis
The Nazis’ boycott began in 1933, and it was the first major
action taken by this new government. It was a real test of their
methods since they had received less than half the vote in the
national elections a couple months before the boycott. The
Nazis had very little support from some segments of the
population that included factory workers, farmers, and other
people in heavily Catholic areas of the country.
The boycott of Jewish businesses and the Nazi-led mass
meetings were supposed to show that the German people were
angry at the Jews and were demanding that the government
take action against them. As a result of this, Jewish businesses
became less prosperous and were losing money. The anti-
Jewish boycott was partly an attempt to get these groups to
support the Nazis’ cause. After the boycott, the Nazi
government began passing a series of laws and official orders
targeting the Jews.
In ensuing years, the Nazis used the same methods
whenever they needed to rally support for any of their actions,
not just when they were attacking the Jews. Alongside the
propaganda campaign, there existed a constant threat of arrest
and Nazi violence.
________ 1. According to the above caption, what is the meaning
of the word boycott? Underline the word or phrase in the
passage that gives clues to the definition.
a. to purchase goods from a supplier.
b. to financially promote a business
c. to refuse to use, buy, or deal with
d. to ask for payment of goods in advance.
________ 2. According to the above caption, what is the most
correct meaning of the word propaganda? Underline the word
or phrase that gives clues to the definition.
a. The spreading of ideas, information that has
occurred to be true and factual.
b. Promoting lies about someone or group in
order to cause harm or injure them.
c. The spreading of ideas, information, or rumor
for the purpose of helping or injuring an
institution, cause or person.
d. The telling of ideas and information to help
promote their wellbeing.
_________ 3. Which statement is false about the Nazis?
a. The Nazis promoted a negative attitude to the
German population about the Jews.
b. The practice of propaganda techniques used in
the Nazis’ boycott of 1933 continued in future
years.
c. The Nazis had the support of a majority of the
German population in national elections.
d. The Nazis boycott created a financial burden
to the Jewish businesses.
4. Which sentence best describes the Nazis’ attitude toward the
Jewish population? Explain.