Played on the failure of government
Anger about the First World War. Treaty of Versailles created long term bitterness felt by many of the German people
Hitler created a policy that appealed to the bitterness of the German people
Ineffective Weimar constitution. Proportional voting made it impossible to have a majority in the Reichstag. Longest govt lasted only two years. The political chaos caused many to lose faith in the new political system. Army not under full government control
After hyperinflation of 23, Germany went into a period of economic stability under Gustav Stresemann. Meant that many Nazi policies became irrelevant so its message became less appealing and the party lost support.
In these years, Hitler created the SS, merged with other right winged parties and took them over, and put Goebbels in charge of propaganda.
Depression of 1929 allowed the Nazi party to appeal to a more diverse range of German society
The economic depression of 1929 and the rising unemployment rate allowed for Hitler to provide hope and a secure government to the German people.
German prosperity after 1924 was financed mostly by borrowed US loans, 23 billion makrs from the USA alone
Weakness of economy as the country used short term loans to fund long term projects
Decline in the flow of foreign investment. Production slowed and unemployment began to rise.
US banks recalled their loans, which left Germany with no money.
Number of unemployed soared to over six million
Hitler and other leaders attacked the weaknesses and inefficiency of the government, the divided political parties, the threat of communism and the social and economic consequences of the depression
Hitler carried a message of hope and recovery to the German people.
Appealed to the middle class
During the crisis, people wanted someone to blame and looked to extreme solutions- Hitler gave them both.
Nazi representation in the Reichstag rose from 12 in 1928 to receiving 37.4 percent of the vote in July 1932.
Divisiveness of political parties on the left between the KPD and the SPD.
Hitler’s great skill as an orator and his brilliant thinking and strategy allowed for his rise to power in 1933, appealing to different aspects of the uncertain German population.
Movement displayed great skill in playing on a variety of emotions and appealing to particular groups
Many in rural Germany → promise of agrarian reform
Unemployed → promise of relief
Army → promise of rearmament
Industrialists and business interests → Nazis = only group that actively opposed communists
Young people → attracted by idealism and the hope for a better Germany
Nationalists → supported pledge to restore German honour and greatness
The middle class (suffered through inflation and depression, saw the Nazis as promoting middle-class values and returning stability, order and security
Nazism seemed to provide the answer to personal and national frustration. The emotionalism and the irrationalism of the movement had strong appeal to those who were disillusioned by decay of German society.
Offered strong leadership. “The only solution was to found in a strong leader”
Hitler described as a “baffling figure- so intelligent and so commonplace, so terrifyingly mad in his long-term goals and basic assumptions, so astute and skilful in his diplomacy and success”
Force of his personality drove the movement
Sought power with a ruthless will and determination
Had a passion to dominate
Absolute belief in himself as a man destined by fate to lead the German people
Outstanding oratory skills
Ability to move the masses
He was clever and calculating politician → constantly underestimated by opponents
Master of tactics and an opportunist who took full advantage of the weakness of his enemies
Most severely, it was the miscalculation of Hitler and his aims by his opponents that allowed him to achieve power in 1933, where the strength and appeal of Hitler’s movement was aimed to be used to establish their own authority and power.
Nazis were given power in January 1933 by the deliberate action of the conservative elite groups who were actually Hitlers opponents.
They all underestimated both Hitler and his movement
Conservatives did not support the concept of parliamentary democracy and sought to use the strength and appeal of Hitler’s movement to entrench their own authority and power. Did not want or expect triumph of Nazism.
The Nazi party was losing support in 1932
Economy was showing signs of recovery and the threat from the communists was never great and the threat of the army was out of the question.
If the army had been called upon it would have supported Hindenburg and not Hitler however the miscalculation of Hitler and his movement meant that he was summoned by his opponents and given the chancellorship.
“His adversaries were the ones to make it possible.” J. Fest
The Nazi rise to power took place for many reasons, most notably that Hitler and the Nazi party greatly appealed to the German people by providing them with hope and the promise of a stable government, with a campaign designed to exploit all weaknesses within the German government. Their policies were heavily supported by many, inclusive of the removal of the Treaty of Versailles, a stable government, opportunities for employment and the appeal of Hitler as a leader himself.