Explain why Hitler was able to become chancellor in January 1933 (12 marks)
Plan:
Event that helped Hitler become Description of the event How did this help Hitler become chancellor?
chancellor
1) Wall street crash On 29th October 1929, the This helped Hitler became Chancellor because the
stock market in the USA. USA recalled their loans (the Dawes Plan) from
People’s investments fell in Germany which didn't help the economy.
value, and people had to Germany experienced a Depression (extreme
queue up outside banks to get poverty and unemployment of 6.1 million in 1933)
their money; the economy so people were unhappy and desperate. People
collapsed. looked to extremist parties, so the Nazis got
increased support in the elections.
2) Nazi promises The Nazis promised to solve This helped Hitler become chancellor because
people's issues. For example, people liked the message of the Nazis; for
Hitler promised to scrap the example, wealthy businessmen want the treaty of
Treaty of Versailles, create Versailles to be scrapped and the unemployed
more jobs and used wanted ‘work and bread’ which was one of the
propaganda (such as speeches propaganda slogans. This meant more people
and rallies) to spread this voted for Hitler and the Nazis.
message
3) Nazi use of threats and The SA were used to threaten This helped Hitler become chancellor because
violence political opponents, intimidate after the chaos of the post-war years, people
people, and disrupt political wanted organisation and structure. The chaos that
meetings. Their 400,000 the Nazis started made people want a strong party
members wore uniforms, were to save them. People were scared of them so
organised and disciplined. normally did what they told them to do.
4) Hitler’s appeal People saw Hitler as a strong This meant Hitler became Chancellor because he
leader who promised to was
restore law and order in Considered modern and forward-thinking which
Germany. His image appeared people thought was what Germany needed. Also,
on publicity material. He he was popular because of this so got increased
travelled the country by plane support in
and gave lots of speeches. elections
5) Hitlers support in the In the general election of 1930, This helped Hitler become Chancellor because it
Reichstag (parliament) the This helped Hitler become showed he had the popular support of the people
Chancellor because after Nazi of Germany and was not just a small extremist
party won 107 seats in the party with
Reichstag. By the July 1932 only limited support. This leads onto Hitler being
election, the Nazis had 230 asked to become Chancellor by President
seats in the Reichstag (but not Hindenburg, the support he had in the Reichstag
the majority but significant means that Hindenburg has no choice but to ask
support) Hitler to become chancellor.
6) Hitler was invited to President Hindenburg’s This clearly helped Hitler become Chancellor
become chancellor chancellor, Bruning, resigned because he is asked by the only person who can
because he didn't have enough appoint the Chancellor, President Hindenburg
support in the Reichstag. Von himself
Papen replaces him but
doesn't have support. Von
Scheicher replaces him, but he
doesn't have support. So,
Hindenburg has to
choose Hitler as Chancellor.
Plan:
Event that helped Hitler become Description of the event How did this help Hitler become chancellor?
chancellor
1) Wall street crash On 29th October 1929, the This helped Hitler became Chancellor because the
stock market in the USA. USA recalled their loans (the Dawes Plan) from
People’s investments fell in Germany which didn't help the economy.
value, and people had to Germany experienced a Depression (extreme
queue up outside banks to get poverty and unemployment of 6.1 million in 1933)
their money; the economy so people were unhappy and desperate. People
collapsed. looked to extremist parties, so the Nazis got
increased support in the elections.
2) Nazi promises The Nazis promised to solve This helped Hitler become chancellor because
people's issues. For example, people liked the message of the Nazis; for
Hitler promised to scrap the example, wealthy businessmen want the treaty of
Treaty of Versailles, create Versailles to be scrapped and the unemployed
more jobs and used wanted ‘work and bread’ which was one of the
propaganda (such as speeches propaganda slogans. This meant more people
and rallies) to spread this voted for Hitler and the Nazis.
message
3) Nazi use of threats and The SA were used to threaten This helped Hitler become chancellor because
violence political opponents, intimidate after the chaos of the post-war years, people
people, and disrupt political wanted organisation and structure. The chaos that
meetings. Their 400,000 the Nazis started made people want a strong party
members wore uniforms, were to save them. People were scared of them so
organised and disciplined. normally did what they told them to do.
4) Hitler’s appeal People saw Hitler as a strong This meant Hitler became Chancellor because he
leader who promised to was
restore law and order in Considered modern and forward-thinking which
Germany. His image appeared people thought was what Germany needed. Also,
on publicity material. He he was popular because of this so got increased
travelled the country by plane support in
and gave lots of speeches. elections
5) Hitlers support in the In the general election of 1930, This helped Hitler become Chancellor because it
Reichstag (parliament) the This helped Hitler become showed he had the popular support of the people
Chancellor because after Nazi of Germany and was not just a small extremist
party won 107 seats in the party with
Reichstag. By the July 1932 only limited support. This leads onto Hitler being
election, the Nazis had 230 asked to become Chancellor by President
seats in the Reichstag (but not Hindenburg, the support he had in the Reichstag
the majority but significant means that Hindenburg has no choice but to ask
support) Hitler to become chancellor.
6) Hitler was invited to President Hindenburg’s This clearly helped Hitler become Chancellor
become chancellor chancellor, Bruning, resigned because he is asked by the only person who can
because he didn't have enough appoint the Chancellor, President Hindenburg
support in the Reichstag. Von himself
Papen replaces him but
doesn't have support. Von
Scheicher replaces him, but he
doesn't have support. So,
Hindenburg has to
choose Hitler as Chancellor.
