Answer:
1. Two ways that the German government took advantage of existing anti-Semitism in Germany were:
a) Propaganda: The government used propaganda to spread anti-Semitic messages and create an atmosphere of hatred towards Jews. This included portraying Jews as a threat to German society and blaming them for economic problems and other issues.
b) Discriminatory Laws: The government passed discriminatory laws that targeted Jews and restricted their rights. These laws included the Nuremberg Laws of 1935, which defined Jews based on racial criteria and deprived them of citizenship and civil rights.
2. These actions aided the young Nazi party in several ways:
a) Increased Support: The anti-Semitic propaganda and discriminatory laws helped to increase support for the Nazi party among Germans who were already predisposed to anti-Semitic beliefs.
b) Consolidation of Power: The government's actions against Jews helped to consolidate power in the hands of the Nazi party, which was able to use anti-Semitic sentiment to justify its authoritarian rule.
c) Demonization of Opposition: The government's demonization of Jews also served to demonize opposition to the Nazi party. Anyone who opposed the Nazi regime was often accused of being a "Jewish sympathizer" or a "traitor to the German people." This helped the Nazi party to silence dissent and maintain its grip on power.