Why did the Sudeten German Party gain support in the 1935 elections?

The Sudeten German Party (SdP) gained significant support in the 1935 parliamentary elections primarily by exploiting the economic and social grievances of the German-speaking population in Czechoslovakia.12

Key factors contributing to their success included:

• Economic Hardship: The Great Depression hit the highly industrialized, German-speaking districts of the country particularly hard. Many workers faced severe unemployment, and there was widespread resentment that the Prague government provided disproportionate relief to Czech areas.12
• Ethnic Discontent: The party capitalized on feelings of marginalization among the German minority, specifically regarding ethnic discrimination practiced by local officials.1
• Militant Nationalism: Following Adolf Hitler’s rise to power in Germany, the SdP—led by Konrad Henlein—effectively utilized nationalist and anti-Czech propaganda to mobilize voters.12

By the 1935 elections, these factors allowed the party to capture nearly two-thirds of the Sudeten German vote, establishing itself as the second-largest political force in the Czechoslovak Parliament.12