What do you think sways the girls' parents to become supporters of Hitler and fascism?

What do you think sways the girls' parents to become supporters of Hitler and fascism?

They were not doing well financially. Their situation continued to worsen under British politics. They were scared and anxious and turned to leaders that they perceived as in control and strong who were promising to make "people like themselves" safer and richer. I would imagine they were also seduced by the fame and attention that their daughters were receiving from these various leaders.

Britain had (like the US) suffered an economic depression after World War I. The Mitford"s property holdings kept being sold off so they could live and their circumstances became further and further reduced. In Hitler's Germany, the rich were still the privileged class and perhaps they saw that. I also think that since Diana and Unity were so enamored and actually spent time with Hitler that the parents were blinded by celebrity.

The father was a reluctant believer, but he eventually became swayed by the idea of regaining his wealth. I think the main reason was seeing their daughters rising in power and acclaim, gaining access to power, and in a small way, being on the side of the "winners".

As others mentioned above, the family financial plight is likely a key catalyst for the Mitford parents’ acceptance of fascism. In the absence of any solutions or actions forthcoming from the sitting government, the parents abandoned their beliefs in exchange the promise/hope of restored wealth and status under a fascist regime. Additionally, with the downturn of their social status in Great Britain, they were likely to welcome the attentions of a charismatic and powerful Hitler and in aligning with him they would feel important again.

There is something very seductive about being next to someone in power. Hitler was a convincing speaker and a persuasive man. He could also be charming. Hitler presented hope for people looking to improve their circumstances. I think the parents were hoping Unity and Diana’s relationship with Hitler would lead to financial and social improvement for them too.

The parents were "wined and dined" while in Germany. Plus, they were pleased to see Unity finally being a part of something when she'd always been somewhat of an embarrassment to the family. The parents were losing their wealth and it felt good to feel important while in Germany. Perhaps they felt they would gain in status and wealth if Germany was successful.

As others have said the parents were losing their financial stability and found it while visiting Germany because of they were treated with high regard plus two of the their daughters especially Unity had found a place and purpose for themselves. The family was not the only family in England that would support the Nazi movement for the same reasons as the Mitford's financial stability and respect.

Bottom line - finances! With each move to a smaller estate, they felt they were being underserved by the English government. I also think they were into power and being flattered. To see two of their daughters within the inner circle had to have made them proud and easy to sway.

Money won over good sense. The parents saw an opportunity to be in on the side of power and they took it.

People who feel their status declining are often easily persuaded to follow a vocie that promises more

I think the parents were rather shallow, concerned with their financial situation (not that I blame them), and blinded by their daughters’ celebrity. So they were swayed by Hitler and the Nazi party not out of any true beliefs, but because they were star struck.

It was common for the British upper classes who felt more comfortable with fascism than communism which scared them to death. And Mosley’s British brand of fascism would have been even more familiar. Pamela, the golden child, also seemed to be a big influence, especially on her mother. In this book the parents were more aligned with Mosley and the fascists than in other things I’ve read.

There is an interesting parallel in the way the Mitfords and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor were used by Hitler, although both were willing. Hitler know how to manipulate them.

Muv says this, directly quoted from the book:
"You don't know Hitler, Nancy. And we'd be better off under his command than with our leaders. Do you know what the current government will ultimately do to us? Institute some sort of socialist world order that will rob us of what little money and standing we have left- or worse, let the communists take over. You'll see" (Page 250)

If you make some substitutions, it reminds me of what's been going on in our world today. Scary.

The parents were not doing well financially. They had to sell off some of their properties. They were looking for someone to blame {the present government} and someone to fix their problems. When they went to Germany and met Hitler, they were seduced by his "charm". He made them seem special and he had worked wonders with Unity. They felt he and a new fascist government would be the answer to their problems.

The thread I note running through the above comments includes finances, inept British government, fear of losing social status, Hitler's charisma. Muv's comment that Margiec quotes summarizes it best.

The author portrays these parents as two people I would never want to have to spend any amount of time with. They are self-centered, entitled, shallow thinking snobs who do not have a clue about real life. I feel they created a toxic family environment that produced seven very damaged, needy children who made very bad choices as adults.

I think the mother was more swayed than the father. The parents were charmed by Hitler and the thought of wealth, power, and prestige.

Well said, Millicent! The fact that they didn't send any of the girls for an education (except for Unity, which was so that someone else could work with her idiosyncrasies) is indicative of their short-sightedness.