Choose any one reason from the list and explain how it contributed to Hitler’s rise to power

Overall I think that the Munich Putsch was definitely one of the main reasons for Hitler's rise to power. It also lead to a couple of other things which contributed to his rise to power; like him going to prison and making the decision of gaining power through the polls. But all reasons contributed and each was important in their own way.

Question 2: Using some causes in the list explain how both long-term and short-term causes contributed to Hitler's rise to power. (10)

Both long-term causes and short-term causes were both very important in Hitler's rise to power, he needed them both. The short-term causes were the causes that had a direct effect, and the long-term causes set the scene for what was going to happen. For example, the decision by Papen and Hindenburg to appoint him as Chancellor, was a short-term effect because it had a direct effect in him gaining power and gave him a higher status.

I think one of the causes listed was both a short term and long term cause. The reason I think was both short term and long term is the Munich Putsch. The short-term effects of the Munich Putsch were that Hitler went to prison and achieved a celebrity like status. He managed to get his message across to the people of Germany. The long-term effects of the Munich Putsch were that Hitler's time in prison made him think about the Nazi Party's strategy. He came out of prison after 9 months and decided that the Nazi Party would be democratic, and that they would get power the legal way, through the polls. This had a huge effect on his rise to power. It changed the whole strategy of the Nazis and the way they done things. If Hitler hadn't of decided that power would be got through the polls, he might not have been half as powerful as if he'd have tried to muscle his way into power.

The Treaty of Versailles is one of Hitler's main reasons for his rise to power. Without it he would not have had a message, something he could relate to with the people. This is a long-term cause because it set out the Nazi party's message; it did not have a direct effect. This cause links very closely with Hitler's oratory, personality and leadership. In his speeches he would build up to a tantrum like rave about his hatred of the T of V and how he hated the people who had signed it. He used his oratory skills to get across his message of the hatred of the T of V.

Was any one of these reasons more important than the others in Hitler's rise to power? Explain your answer. (12)

All reasons had their own significance, but which were more important? I am going to start by looking at how important each reason was individually, then try and get them into some type of order which shows my opinion of which is most important and least important.

I will start with the T of V. The T of V itself wasn't important in Hitler's rise to power, but it was the fact that he hated it and it gave him a message. His hatred of the T of V gave him something in common with the people of Germany. Without this he wouldn't have had any objectives in which to get into power. So I regard this as one of the more important reasons because without it the German people would not have had something they could relate to with Hitler.

Next I will look at the Munich Putsch's importance to Hitler's rise to power. The Munich Putsch was significant because it gave Hitler his celebrity status. It got his name known on the political circuit. Without it the German people probably wouldn't have ever heard his name, and when released from prison he wouldn't have been listened to because they didn't know who he was. I think this reason is important but not quite important as the T of V.

I will now look at the economic depression. The economic depression I think is one of the most significant reasons in Hitler's rise to power. Without it I think Hitler would not have got as far as he did. Hitler was a leader for times of crisis, and the economic depression was definitely a time of crisis. Without the great depression, it is unlikely that Hitler would have risen to power. This unexpected event which Hitler had no control over was one of the most important reasons why he became chancellor.

Now I will look at Hitler's oratory, personality and leadership skills. Hitler's personality, leadership and oratory skills were one of the key factors, which helped him into power. During huge rallies, Hitler whipped the crowds into hysteria. He used films, radio and records to send his message to millions and he travelled all over Germany to huge rallies. But I think his oratory skills and leadership came into play once he had his message, which was the Great Depression. Before the Great Depression Hitler staged rallies, and although these were attended people did not vote for Hitler. It was only when the depression came about that people turned to the Nazi party. So I don't think his personality, leadership and oratory skills were incredibly important but it aided other subjects, e.g. the Great Depression.

I will now write about the subject the decision by Papen and Hindenburg to appoint him as Chancellor in 1933. This is one of the most important reasons because it gave Hitler the political recognition he needed. It gave him that extra bit of power. Most of the political leaders thought they could 'tame' Hitler and use him to get to the top. They were very wrong, they all underestimated him. This is important but I don't think it is the most important subject.

The last subject I will talk about is the Enabling Law. The Enabling Law gave Hitler almost total control over Germany. It gave him more power than he had ever had. I think this subject links very closely with Papen and Hindenburgs decision to appoint him as Chancellor because they were both big mile-stones for Hitler. Overall I think this is a very important reason.

I don't think you could put these reasons into an order of importance, as each reason was important in its own way. However if I was to put the reasons into a most important and not as important list it would be as follows:

Very Important

Important

* The Treaty of Versailles

* The economic depression

* The decision by Papen and Hindenburg to appoint him as Chancellor in 1933

* The Enabling Law

* The Munich Putsch

* Hitler's oratory, personality and leadership

All reasons were important but there is no way of singling one reason out as being the most important.

Danny Smith 11.1