I started wondering about this for no particular reason I can think of. Who’s idea was it? Was it supposed to be symbolic of something? Did they just start passing out pamphlets at rallies titled: “Forget everything you THINK you know about public greetings!”?
Put yourself back in the day. No TV or internet. Public spectacles were pretty much the only entertainment. Any kind of parade was a big deal. Ever heard the phrase ‘get on the band wagon?’ On election days the political parties used to have wagons with a band and beer that would drive around town to get people to the polls.
Now look at some old Nazi documentaries. Those masses of people throwing their arms out like that? That looks great.
https://youtu.be/3_VeIf1M0M4
10 minute documentary on Hitler’s best propagandist