1. Which of the following was a more significant reason for Hitler’s
appointment as Chancellor in 1933?
(i) The popular appeal of Nazism
(ii) ‘Backstairs Intrigue’
By 1933 the high unemployment level of 6 million Caused resentment and
disillusionment of the Weimar republic and it was now clear that the regimes
ending was nearing. The Nazis used the situation to their advantage and through
successful propaganda methods such as posters stating “Unsere Letzte
Hoffnung” they managed to gain support of the people. After the February 1932
elections the Nazis were the single largest party in the Reich thus it was fair to
say that there was a popular appeal of Nazism. This rise in popularism meant
that it wasn’t absurd for Papen to suggest to Hindenburg to appoint Hitler as the
chancellor, arguably the only reason why Hitler wasn’t appointed as chancellor
despite being the largest party in 1932 was the continuous fears among the
people over the extreme right wing of the party. However by 1933 the popular
appeal of Nazism and their policies such as public work schemes gave the people
hope and security amongst the era of unemployment therefore allowed Hitler to
be appointed as chancellor in 1933.
After being removed from the position as chancellor Papen had resentment and
wanted exact revenge of Schleicher by replacing him with Hitler this came to be
known as the Backstairs intrigue. Several discussions took place amongst Hitler
and Papen until finally Papen persuaded Hindenburg to appoint Hitler as
chancellor promising to keep him under control. This was seen as a realistic
assumption as article 48 still gave Hindenburg the power to remove Hitler if
anything were to go wrong thus Hindenburg, despite his reservations, was
persuaded to appoint Hitler as chancellor. Papen was now regarded highly
amongst the elitist and he genuinely believed Hitler could be controlled stating
he would be backed into the corner crying. Backstairs intrigue led to Hitler’s
appointment as Hindenburg would have never appointment Hitler without
Papen’s assurance to be kept under control.
Although both events were important for Hitler’s appointment as Chancellor in
1933 the backstairs intrigue was more significant as it persuaded Hindenburg to
appoint Hitler as chancellor. The only exception to this was that the popular
appeal of Nazism eased Hindenburg’s reservation over public support, but this
factor was just a bonus benefit after Papen’s persuasion. Also the November
1932 elections argue against the idea of a popular appeal for Nazism.
Hindenburg still didn’t completely trust Hitler, Hindenburg kept replacing
chancellors such as Muller and Papen. Hindenburg’s reservations about Hitler
were made even clearer when he offered the position of vice chancellor to Hitler
as he was too hesitant to appoint him as chancellor. It was Papen’s persuasion
that led Hindenburg to finally give in and appoint Hitler otherwise it was more
likely for him to keep appointing democratic right wing party members thus
Backstairs intrigue played a more significant role in Hitler’s appointment.
appointment as Chancellor in 1933?
(i) The popular appeal of Nazism
(ii) ‘Backstairs Intrigue’
By 1933 the high unemployment level of 6 million Caused resentment and
disillusionment of the Weimar republic and it was now clear that the regimes
ending was nearing. The Nazis used the situation to their advantage and through
successful propaganda methods such as posters stating “Unsere Letzte
Hoffnung” they managed to gain support of the people. After the February 1932
elections the Nazis were the single largest party in the Reich thus it was fair to
say that there was a popular appeal of Nazism. This rise in popularism meant
that it wasn’t absurd for Papen to suggest to Hindenburg to appoint Hitler as the
chancellor, arguably the only reason why Hitler wasn’t appointed as chancellor
despite being the largest party in 1932 was the continuous fears among the
people over the extreme right wing of the party. However by 1933 the popular
appeal of Nazism and their policies such as public work schemes gave the people
hope and security amongst the era of unemployment therefore allowed Hitler to
be appointed as chancellor in 1933.
After being removed from the position as chancellor Papen had resentment and
wanted exact revenge of Schleicher by replacing him with Hitler this came to be
known as the Backstairs intrigue. Several discussions took place amongst Hitler
and Papen until finally Papen persuaded Hindenburg to appoint Hitler as
chancellor promising to keep him under control. This was seen as a realistic
assumption as article 48 still gave Hindenburg the power to remove Hitler if
anything were to go wrong thus Hindenburg, despite his reservations, was
persuaded to appoint Hitler as chancellor. Papen was now regarded highly
amongst the elitist and he genuinely believed Hitler could be controlled stating
he would be backed into the corner crying. Backstairs intrigue led to Hitler’s
appointment as Hindenburg would have never appointment Hitler without
Papen’s assurance to be kept under control.
Although both events were important for Hitler’s appointment as Chancellor in
1933 the backstairs intrigue was more significant as it persuaded Hindenburg to
appoint Hitler as chancellor. The only exception to this was that the popular
appeal of Nazism eased Hindenburg’s reservation over public support, but this
factor was just a bonus benefit after Papen’s persuasion. Also the November
1932 elections argue against the idea of a popular appeal for Nazism.
Hindenburg still didn’t completely trust Hitler, Hindenburg kept replacing
chancellors such as Muller and Papen. Hindenburg’s reservations about Hitler
were made even clearer when he offered the position of vice chancellor to Hitler
as he was too hesitant to appoint him as chancellor. It was Papen’s persuasion
that led Hindenburg to finally give in and appoint Hitler otherwise it was more
likely for him to keep appointing democratic right wing party members thus
Backstairs intrigue played a more significant role in Hitler’s appointment.
