text: which was more important for adolf hitler's rise to power? which was more important for adolf hitler's rise to power: his poilicy goals or the symbolism of the nazi party? i would argue that policy goals were secondary.  the nazi party symbolized all that the german people felt they were lacking, or deserved.  hitler's fiery rhetoric played in perfectly to the masses: they were entirely blamed for ww i and made to pay for it. discontent ruled people's minds and hitler understood that very well.  he exploited a country's sense of powerlessness by promising power. he exploited his country's sense of being victims of injustice by promising revenge upon those who were responsible for germany's suffering.  the nazi party made of point of glorifying everthing good about german history, especially its martial past. he made people feel good about themselves and without that, he never would have had the opportunity to rise to power.