Why was Hitler able to become Chancellor by 1933?

Question 1

How did Hitler become chancellor by 1933?

Answer 1

• Von Papen (came to power 1932) hoped to form a right-wing coalition with the Nazis to control them but failed and didn’t have Reichstag support
• After November elections, Nazi vote dropped slightly but remained largest party
• Hindenburg appointed General von Schleicher (Dec 1932) as chancellor (opponent of von Papen) who faced same issues with support from the Reichstag
• Von Papen privately agreed to work with Hitler to remove von Schleicher
• Von Papen allowed Hitler the chancellorship if he was vice-chancellor
• Von Papen met with Hindenburg, army leaders and industrialists and persuaded them he could control Hitler as part of a Nazi-Conservative coalition
• Hitler is appointed on 30th January 1933 by Hindenburg with the threat of a civil war and Nazi revolt, after von Schleicher resigned

Question 2

How did the Nazis win 18.3% of the vote in 1930 and 37% of the vote by July 1932?

Answer 2

• Depression
• Democracy
• Decadence
• Communist Threat
• “Negative Cohesion”
• Nazi Campaigning
• Weak Opposition

Question 3

How did the Depression contribute to Nazi electoral success by July 1932?

Answer 3

• Led to economic collapse
• 6 million unemployed by 1932
• Many Germans turned to extremist parties (Nazis or communists)
• Hitler promised jobs and rearmament

Question 4

How did democracy contribute to Nazi electoral success by July 1932?

Answer 4

Many were disillusioned with Weimar democracy and its inability to solve the economic crisis

Question 5

How did the communist threat contribute to Nazi electoral success by July 1932?

Answer 5

• Nazis promised to protect farmers and business leaders
• disciplined SA and SS looked more organised than the communist gangs

Question 6

How did Nazi campaigning contribute to Nazi electoral success by July 1932?

Answer 6

• Hitler was a good public speaker
• Used rallies, marches, speeches and media (radio, films, posters) to promote his ideologies
• Relied on generalised slogans rather than specific pledges
• Took action such as setting up soup kitchens

Question 7

How did decadence contribute to Nazi electoral success by July 1932?

Answer 7

Nazis promised return to old-fashioned values rather than Weimar decadence

Question 8

How did negative cohesion contribute to Nazi electoral success by July 1932?

Answer 8

Nazis bought people together by their common fears (e.g: fear of a communist revolution, rather than common views)

Question 9

How did weak opposition contribute to Nazi electoral success by July 1932?

Answer 9

• Rival parties underestimated the Nazis
• Failed to work together to prevent Nazis from getting into power

Question 10

Did the Nazis have the majority of seats in the Reichstag by July 1932? What was Hitler’s reaction?

Answer 10

No
- Hitler (leader of the largest party) demanded Hindenburg appoint him chancellor, but he declined
- Hitler ordered SA + SS to cause more chaos on the streets and Nazi members of the Reichstag to always vote against the government (most strongly for Bruning)
- Hindenburg kept Von Papen (a conservative member of the Centre Party) as chancellor