From 1928, the National Socialists won voters in numbers that were above average in East Prussia. After the assumption of power in 1933, the totalitarian penetration of state and society began as well as the persecutions and murders of Jews, political opponents and many other victim groups. In 1945, at the end of the Second World War, the old East Prussia was destroyed.
In the ideology of National Socialism East Prussia played a special nationalistic role as the easternmost part of the empire: both as a "bulwark" against supposedly advancing Slavic influences and as a military deployment area in the German attacks on Poland and the Soviet Union.
Nazi propaganda made extensive use of economic and political successes, especially in this eastern province. The spirit of change spread to all classes and increased support for Nazi ideas and programmes.
The Second World War began with the invasion of Poland and was marked by terror and crimes, particularly on the German side. It devastated Europe and other parts of the world. Along with the ruins of the National Socialist reign of terror ended also almost 700 years of German history in East Prussia.
Illustration:
Rally of the National Socialist Workers’ Party (NSDAP) on 1st May 1933 in the market square of Saalfeld (today Zalewo) in the ) in the Mohrungen (today Morąg) district. Photo: Picture Archive East Prussia 84682