Nazi Party political campaign pin: Reichstag election 1936

Circular pressed metal political campaign pin. The central feature is the election date inscribed '29 MÄRZ 1936' surmounting a crossed oak leaf emblem. A semi-circular border inscription above the date reads 'FREIHEIT UND BROT' [FREEDOM AND BREAD]. A bent lapel pin is attached to the reverse. The badge is tarnished and oxidised.

Pin of the Winterhilfswerk Des Deutschen Volkes [Winter Relief Agency of the German People]. The Winterhilfswerk was an annual months-long compulsory charity drive. It was established as early as 1931 by the Heinrich Bruning government, and later adopted and championed by the National Socialist German Workers' Party or Nazi Party as early as 1933. The drive took place through the months of October to May to raise funds for basic needs for the poorest during winter.

Food, clothing, coal and other items were handed out by the Nationalsozialistischm Volkswohlfahrt (National Socialist People’s Welfare Organization), whose slogan was 'none shall starve nor freeze'. Various groups including the Hitler Youth went door to door soliciting donations from the public, and in return gift the latest lapel design or booklet.
At times the designs would change as often as weekly so that the public were pressured into contributing money frequently by wearing the latest badge.

By 1945 over 8000 different badges had been produced, in a variety of material and techniques including wood, glass, paper, metal, plastic, leather and amber. People who were not wearing the latest lapel were publically shamed and their names printed in the newspaper. Community pressure ensured constant donations from the German people.
This particular pin was used during the political campaign leading up to the German election on March 29 1936. Its slogan, 'Freedom and bread', was used by the Nazi Party during its rise to power. Being the only party on the ballot, it secured an overwhelming victory.