Secondly, the great depression of 1929, brought about economic instability within the Reichstag itself. Economic policies which were brought in by the Bruning Government such as the deflationary policy, which sought to cut the expenditure and balance the budget. The result of the deflationary policy was cuts in welfare spending and increases in taxation. The result of the deflationary policy was that the impact of the depression was even greater. Historian Allan Bullock wrote “ men standing hopelessly on the street corners of every industrial town in Germany”. The deflationary policy had left the working class even more depressed and without jobs. Its cuts of welfare spending, left those unemployed with barley anything as the economic decline continued more and more of the working class began to turn to extremist opposition on the grounds of failed economic policies by the republic and its overall inability to support the working class during this time. The depression of 1929, had clearly made democracy seem vulnerable to an economic collapse , and the scrambling efforts made by Bruinig, such as the development of the deflationary policy only made the crash seem more substantial, and at the price of losing various support to the extremist groups such as the NSDAP.
Although the depression did ultimately lead to the substantial short tem rise of the NSDAP it cannot be the sole motive. The division of the left, political instability and a naïve view of Nazi Power and its capability all are liable for the short term rise to power of the NSDAP.
The political instability which had arose from the fall of the Muller Government in 1930 contributed largely to the rising dominance of the NSDAP, and the eventual rise of Hitler in the position of chancellor. The political division amongst the left was certainly a major factor in the fanatical rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party. A long feud had been running between the German Communist Party and the Social Democratic Party, of which had begun when the SPD had eliminated the Spartcists movement in 1919. The conflict between the two allowed the Nazi Party to establish itself amongst major politics, if the two parties need not participate in conflict and unification could have used against the growing fear of the NSDAP. The political instability on the left is shown through historian, J.P.Dutch “ the left capitulated as the extreme right of the NSDAP took full of advantage of this fall to, soak up the supporters which had been affected by the conflicting interests”. The division on the left allowed the Nazi Party to campaign against a weak opposition during the times of depression as the failure on the left must be responsible for the rise of a coalition would of seen an overwhelming power suppressing any attempts of power NSDAP.
Secondly political failures in the form of Political leaders and their decisions all lead to the rise and promotion of the NSDAP. The failures of the Muller, Bruning, Papen and Schleicher governments assisted the Nazi Party and Hitler as they all presented the failure of democracy amongst the German population.
The betrayals of all chancellors led to the eventual appointment of Hitler in January 1933 by legal means and responsibilities must lie with the powers of Hindenburg, Papen and Von Schleicher and their failure to seek what was best for the Democracy.
The appointment of Schleicher by Hindenburg lead to an overall reprisal by the Nazi Party. The betrayal of Bruning in May 1932 ended the movement of banning the SA and the SS as well as any opposition to any concessions of the Nazis. Bruning dislike of the NSDAP had eventuated in a less prominent role of the Nazi Party within society, the appointment of Schleicher and his favorable right wing views allowed the Nazis to once again take a more dominant position within society itself, expanding their support base and providing one of the final steps in their rise to power.
The role of Von Papen in the rise of the NSDAP during the time period of 1929-1933 played a decisive role in the overall outcome. His “final deal” in January, proposed that Hitler come to power and his position to become Vice Chancellor. His persuasition of Hindenburg to instate Hitler as Chancellor played the final role in the overall conclusion of democracy. Von Papen’s belief that he could control Hitler while in power, highlights the overall failure in which Papen showed. Papen’s underestimate of the Nazis is shown through his description of the proposal that of “no danger at all”. The rise of the NSDAP during the time period therefore must also become liable to Von Papen has his false predications of Hitler and his movement allowed, the NSDAP to gain control of Germany legally, as well as the official support by German people and its Army.
In conclusion, the depression was significant through that it cause major economic and social depression amongst Germany. The ways in which it had been addressed also led to powerful propaganda by the NSDAP assisting their rise to power. Alternatively external elements such as the divisions on the left as well as the political failures by the leaders of Germany lead to the overall rise of the NSDAP during the time period of 1929 to 1933.