Another important event that could explain the Nazi’s rise to power was the Munich beer hall putsch. Initially, the putsch could have resulted to the end of the Nazi party. However instead, it only made them stronger. Hitler was sent to prison for nine months charged with high treason. Hitler’s reputation grew and to many was known as a hero. This event gave the Nazi’s their first exposure to national attention and was deemed a propaganda victory. While Hitler served his time in jail, in hindsight this may have seemed to be a setback as the Nazi’s party leader was confined but Hitler used this to his benefit and wrote a book called ‘Mein kampf’ (My life). The book sold millions and in some cases was given out free. The book promoted a Nazi way of life and expressed Hitler’s views. The most important change that came out of the Munich beer hall putsch was Hitler’s outlook on the Nazi’s power. From then on, Hitler realised that the only way to gain power was to be elected.
Hitler failed to achieve his first goal and the putsch was poorly organised. However, the putsch’s outcome could have been catastrophic but Hitler cleverly made the most of the situation and by releasing a book that encouraged his ideas he gained a lot of support from Germany.
The Reichstag fire was seen as a pivotal event in the establishment of Nazi Germany. The apparent fire starter was a communist called Van Der Lubbe. Hitler manipulated the situation and to prove his theories that the communists were trying to seize power by using violence. He convinced President Hindenburg to arrest 4000 communist and to give a decree for the protection for people. This prevented Nazi opposition from holding public meetings and to arrest more communist. The banning of communist party and support from centre party gave Hitler the majority of votes because banning communist party's and other parties left the Nazi party the only one left to vote for. Hitler manoeuvred this situation and successfully blamed the communists for problems. By using the Reichstag fire as an example to the German people, he had now removed his last opposition.
Hitler becoming chancellor meant he was only one step away from total power. Hindenburg and Von Papen were both of the opinion that Hitler could be easily controlled. They were wrong, and Hindenburg had no alternative but to offer the job to the leader of the largest party – the Nazi Party. It can be argued that Hitler gained power legally as he had the largest party; he had to be offered the role. However one could also argue all three previous chancellors were to blame as their mistakes led to Hitler taking control as chancellor. The election of 1933 was a key event that subsequently leads to Hitler gaining ultimate power. When the election took place on March 5th, the Nazi had a considerable increase of seats nevertheless they still did not have the majority. Hitler was very persuasive and managed to convince the Nationalist Party to join forces with the Nazi party. Once again, Hitler relentlessly fought until he had over two-thirds of the seats. The enabling act was passed and Hitler became a dictator.
Propaganda played a major role into securing votes and support from Germany. Propaganda was everywhere; in the press, radio, campaigns and even school textbooks. By dedicating a radio station broadcasting Nazi ideas and managing what Nazi newspapers could print, Hitler effectively used propaganda to control people. It could be said that Hitler used persistent use of propaganda was a good leadership move but it could also be said that the propaganda the Nazi party used were fear tactics to scare people into thinking groups such as Jews, homosexuals and black people were responsible for their problems.
I conclude, there are many key events that lead to the Nazi’s rise to power. Hitler was a very powerful man, but he could not have been without cleverly manipulating many situations to his advantage. Although events, before hand would have seemed a hindrance to the Nazi party Hitler would skilfully turn these situations his benefit for example the Reichstag fire and the Munich beer hall putsch.
The Nazi’s power wasn’t solely down to Hitler’s leadership. The Wall Street crash was the crucial event that led the Nazi party to power. Germany were in turmoil and struggling to cope from the effects of World War 1, without the wall street crash happening the great depression wouldn’t have followed and Germany wouldn’t be in the chaos it was in.
