To what extent did Hitler become Chancellor in 1933 because of the weakness of the existing
government?
1924 – 28 Weimar Germany apparently doing well, little support for Hitler – only 12 seats in
Reichstag, despite propaganda being targeted towards various groups in society
1929 – Young Plan made new arrangements for Germany to pay reparations – nationalists resented
this as said the damage was not all Germany’s fault; Hugenberg offered Nazis the use of his
newspapers to spread their ideas.
1929 – Wall St Crash – USA had lent money to Germany since 1924 to help Germany economy
recover and pay reparations but now demanded these loans be repaid – German economy collapsed
(NOT hyperinflation; Depression – prices didn’t rise but many unemployed and poor).
Nazi propaganda began to be effective as the coalition of moderate parties unable to agree how to
deal with problems – support grew for Communists and Nazis
1930 elections for Reichstag – Nazis get 107 seats
1932 April – elections for President; Hindenburg expected to be elected again but extent of support
for Hitler was so great that a second round of voting needed. Nazi tactics included marches, rallies,
newspaper articles, radio broadcasts, evening classes for speakers, organisations eg Hitler Youth
became more popular etc; ‘Hitler over Germany’ campaign – used plane to visit 21 cities in a week –
made him look like modern, innovative politician.
1932 June Reichstag elections, Nazis got 230 votes (largest party in Reichstag but not majority) but
Hindenburg didn’t like Hitler, made von Papen Chancellor (Hitler refused offer of Vice – Chancellor)
but unable to get laws passed by Reichstag (laws made by Article 48, using President’s emergency
decree powers).
1932 Nov – Reichstag elections – still largest party but Nazis worried about drop in support and
almost bankrupt after 3 election campaigns; Hindenburg still wouldn’t make Hitler Chancellor but
von Schleicher also unable to get laws passed by Reichstag.
Jan 1933 Hindenburg persuaded to make Hitler Chancellor – they thought they could use him!
government?
1924 – 28 Weimar Germany apparently doing well, little support for Hitler – only 12 seats in
Reichstag, despite propaganda being targeted towards various groups in society
1929 – Young Plan made new arrangements for Germany to pay reparations – nationalists resented
this as said the damage was not all Germany’s fault; Hugenberg offered Nazis the use of his
newspapers to spread their ideas.
1929 – Wall St Crash – USA had lent money to Germany since 1924 to help Germany economy
recover and pay reparations but now demanded these loans be repaid – German economy collapsed
(NOT hyperinflation; Depression – prices didn’t rise but many unemployed and poor).
Nazi propaganda began to be effective as the coalition of moderate parties unable to agree how to
deal with problems – support grew for Communists and Nazis
1930 elections for Reichstag – Nazis get 107 seats
1932 April – elections for President; Hindenburg expected to be elected again but extent of support
for Hitler was so great that a second round of voting needed. Nazi tactics included marches, rallies,
newspaper articles, radio broadcasts, evening classes for speakers, organisations eg Hitler Youth
became more popular etc; ‘Hitler over Germany’ campaign – used plane to visit 21 cities in a week –
made him look like modern, innovative politician.
1932 June Reichstag elections, Nazis got 230 votes (largest party in Reichstag but not majority) but
Hindenburg didn’t like Hitler, made von Papen Chancellor (Hitler refused offer of Vice – Chancellor)
but unable to get laws passed by Reichstag (laws made by Article 48, using President’s emergency
decree powers).
1932 Nov – Reichstag elections – still largest party but Nazis worried about drop in support and
almost bankrupt after 3 election campaigns; Hindenburg still wouldn’t make Hitler Chancellor but
von Schleicher also unable to get laws passed by Reichstag.
Jan 1933 Hindenburg persuaded to make Hitler Chancellor – they thought they could use him!
