Germany 1920's and 1930's - Look at the weaknesses of the government and the strengths of the Nazis.
During the 1920's and early 1930's Germany was trying to recover from World War. It had to pay reparations and try to rebuild the economy from bankruptcy. It was because of the weaknesses of the economy and the Weimar Government, together with the growing popularity of the Nazis that Hitler was able to become Chancellor. This essay will look at the weaknesses of the government and the strengths of the Nazis.
After the First World War, Germany was forced to establish a democratic government based on proportional representation. A President headed it but the Chancellor took control of the everyday politics. In an emergency, the President could pass laws without the Weimar Government, and this was called Article 48. The main problems with the German system was that no one party had absolute control so any decisions took a long time to make since, moreover, no one party had 50% of the votes the parties had to form coalitions. This meant that parties could not always deliver their promises because they had to please the parties with which they had formed coalitions.
The government was weak which made it is easier for Hitler to gain power. Using proportional representation, the Nazis gained more seats than they would have done in the 'First Past the Post' system. This meant that the Nazis could slowly build popularity and have some power even though they are not the most popular group.
Germany never had a strong leader to guide them in the right direction and gain respect throughout Europe. The three main leaders, Ebert, Hindenburg and Stresemann all had problems. Ebert could not deliver his promises because he had to form coalitions and had to please the people that joined him. Hindenburg was not a good politician and was only in power because he was popular from the War. The best leader was Streseman, who was respected not only within Germany but in Europe as well. He died, however, before having a big effect. Without a strong leader, made the people turn to more extreme groups.
The Treaty of Versailles made it almost impossible for Germany to recover financially, largely because all Germany's colonies were taken and they were made to pay reparations. In order to try to pay the reparations, Germany started to print money and ended up with hyperinflation. The economic instability added to the political instability.
The reparation payment in particular caused great difficulties for the government and the people. When Germany failed to make a payment in 1923, the French and Belgium army marched in and took control of the Ruhr, a key industrial area of Germany. The Germans responded with passive resistance but that again was expensive. With growing disillusionment with the government, the people showed more of an interest in extreme groups like the Nazis.
The Nazis made valuable use of the time they had in parliament and became a strong party. When a putsch failed in September 1923, they learnt that they would have to try to gain power by lawful means. They used propaganda to gain support and also came up with a 25-point program that appealed to everyone. Whilst the Communists were disorganized, the Nazis became stronger and more popular.
Hitler was a good leader who commanded respect. He was a great public speaker who could move his audience. He was in the army during the First World War and shared the German people's hatred of the Treaty of Versailles.
Germany tried to pay the reparations by printing more money but when that failed, America gave them loans to ease the economic problems. At the time of the loans, America was financially secure but in 1929 the Wall Street Crash sent America into depression causing them to recall their loans. Having to repay the money put Germany into greater financial difficulty and they had to try unpopular economic policies. The Nazis, now more organized and efficient, were ready for this opportunity to gain power and made promises of jobs and bread.
Von Papen was Chancellor and when ...
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Germany tried to pay the reparations by printing more money but when that failed, America gave them loans to ease the economic problems. At the time of the loans, America was financially secure but in 1929 the Wall Street Crash sent America into depression causing them to recall their loans. Having to repay the money put Germany into greater financial difficulty and they had to try unpopular economic policies. The Nazis, now more organized and efficient, were ready for this opportunity to gain power and made promises of jobs and bread.
Von Papen was Chancellor and when he lost the support of Von Schleicher it became easy for Hitler to take over. Von Papen secretly agreed to work with Hitler and when Hindenburg wanted Von Papen back as Chancellor, he suggested Hitler with himself as vice-Chancellor. Hitler was appointed giving the Nazis control.
The weaknesses of the Republic and the strength of the Nazis led to Hitler to becoming Chancellor. He was a ruthless leader and the party became far more organized learning that it could only gain control through democratic means. The Nazis promised the people exactly what they wanted and tried to please everyone.
If the Allied Power, who had improved the Treaty of Versailles on a humiliated Germany, had taken a more professional view in 1919 the resentment felt by Germans would have been avoided. This hostility to the treaty was an important factor in Hitler's rise to power. In addition, the Republic should not have used proportional representation but used 'first past the post' which makes it much harder for extreme parties to gain any control. Also, the rise of the Nazis might have been prevented if the ban on Hitler had been kept when he was let out of prison.
There were many reasons why Hitler became chancellor in 1933. In many ways
the Depression was the most important reason why Hitler came to power in
933. The Depression derived from the Wall Street Crash, when people rushed
to sell their shares because they realised the companies were doing badly.
Thousands of businesses and people were ruined. This affected Germany
because America withdrew its loans and the German economy collapsed.
Millions were left unemployed. The new Weimar government broke down and
people were ready to listen to groups like Hitler's Nazis, who promised a
strong government and a better way of life. People who had never been
interested in politics before found themselves listening to extremist groups
because the government had collapsed. The Depression was a tremendous piece
of good luck for the Nazis, because it enabled them to get the majority of
the vote in Germany (43.9%).
Hitler also became chancellor due to the actions of Franz Von Papen, the
existing chancellor in 1932. Von Papen wanted to win the support of the
Nazis because he saw them as potential supporters who he could use to
strengthen his own position with backing from the Nazis, Von Papen believed
he would have the majority of the support in the cabinet. Hitler did not
co-operate with Von Papen because he was set on becoming chancellor In
December 1932 President Hindenburg made general Schleicher chancellor of
Germany. Von Papen wanted a return to power so he struck a deal with the
Nazis. The deal was that Hitler would be chancellor and Papen would be
vice-chancellor. After a lot of persuasion Hindenburg made Hitler
chancellor. Von Papen reported, "We've hired him". This was an important
reason but not as important as the Depression for Hitler coming to power
because even though Hitler got the power he always craved, he would not have
succeeded without the effects of the Depression.
Another reason how Hitler achieved his aims was through his political
tactics and Nazi propaganda. Nazi propaganda made Hitler as the only leader
who could save Germany and said he was destined to become national leader.
Many Germans liked the Nazis' anti-Communist views. Goebbels manipulated
propaganda very well, he modified many effective posters with clever slogans
such as, "Work, freedom and bread". He also organised mass parades and
rallies so everyone in Germany would know the Nazis. Many Germans were
impressed by the Nazis dedication and so they earned respect.
The Nazis cleverly delivered the idea that if they came to power there would
be something for everyone. For example farmers were promised higher prices
for their goods and shopkeepers were offered protection against big
businesses. The pledges were deliberately vague though. This was not a
very important reason for Hitler becoming chancellor, for it did not give
much support during the period before the Wall Street clash - although it
did deliver the message of the Nazis very clearly. During the Depression
the German public were not so concerned with the detailed aims of the Nazis
when in power. They just wanted a new government and leader who could help
Germany from the great Depression.
Nonetheless no one reason can explain why Hitler gained power in Germany in
933. Many of the reasons are inter-linked. The Depression led to high
unemployment because factories had closed down, and farmers and many
businessmen could not sell their goods. The Depression led to millions
supporting parties that worked to end the Weimar republic. Many businessmen
then looked to Hitler to defend them from the communists. The deal with Von
Papen led to Hitler gaining office as chancellor and eventually becoming a
dictator. Goebbels' intelligent propaganda then built on the anti-Communist
and anti-Semitic views that already existed in Germany. This in turn
further increased the popularity of the Nazis.
The Treaty of Versailles only partly helped Hitler become chancellor. On 28 June 1919, Germany signed the Treaty with the allies, losing 10% of her land. The German army was reduced to 100,000 men and Germany had to pay reparations of £6,600 million. Hitler blamed the Treaty for Germany's problems. When Germany failed to pay a reparation instalment in 1922, French and Belgian troops entered German soil and seized goods. The German government ordered passive resistance but workers needed to be paid. The government printed money and hyperinflation set in. During this crisis in Germany, caused indirectly by the Treaty, when Hitler tried to seize power he was unsupported. Therefore the Treaty of Versailles, on its own, was not a reason why Hitler rose to power. After 1929, the Great Depression acted as a catalyst, igniting the German people's anger for the Treaty of Versailles and it then became a factor in Hitler's rise to power.
Another reason why Hitler was able to rise to power was due to the failure of the Munich Putsch of November 1923. At his trial, Hitler gained enormous publicity, which made him well known. He spent only nine months in Landsberg jail where he learnt many lessons. He learnt that the only way to gain power is to stand in elections and destroy the system from within. He also realised that he did not have enough big friends and by 1932, he had won the support of the army and industrialists. Hitler also wrote Mein Kampf, which allowed him to work out his own beliefs. He became like a martyr for the party and Mein Kampf acted as a Bible.
However, the 'Beer Hall Putsch' was not all good. The Nazi party was banned and Hitler was not allowed to speak publicly (until 1928 in Prussia). The Nazi Party fell apart. The Munich Putsch was one of the least important reasons why he was able to rise into power. Before the Great Depression, Hitler gained very few votes (the Nazis had only 12 seats in 1928) and would have continued to do so without the Depression.
Hitler's amazing oratorical, personality and leadership skills also helped him rise into power. As I saw on video, during huge rallies Hitler whipped up the crowds into hysteria. He was years ahead of his time as a communicator and he sent his message to millions as he travelled by aeroplane all over Germany. Hitler was magnificent at building up anticipation and expectation. He would keep crowds waiting and then remain silent for about a minute once he arrived on the podium. He would begin quietly and slowly and then burst into full charge as he stirred up the nationalist emotions in the crowd. He was vague so that he could not be held to promises and drilled in the same points. Militaristic music, uniforms and banners also conveyed strength and discipline.
However, Hitler held rallies in the mid 1920s and these did not win him many votes. There was something else that made voters turn to Hitler- the Great Depression. Before the Great Depression, most people were happy with the way things were- Stresemann introduced the Rentenmark after the hyperinflation and Germany got back onto her feet. Nothing Hitler said could have gained him votes and by most was regarded as a 'bore in a bar'.
In his speeches, Hitler provided scapegoats such as the Jews, communists and the Treaty of Versailles. It was true that Jews held positions of influence beyond their numbers and when jobs were in demand, anti-Semitism rocketed. After the Great depression, the unemployed and businessmen were looking for scapegoats and Hitler provided these. However, before the Great Depression, as election results show (in 1924 the Nazis had only 2% of the vote and in 1928 3%), Hitler's speeches had no major effect on German voters.
In my opinion, the Great Depression was the most important reason why Hitler rose to power in 1933. On Tuesday 29 October 1929 the American Stock exchange, Wall Street, crashed, causing the world to be plunged into an economic depression. Germany was hit badly as America recalled the loans to Germany negotiated under the Dawes Plan (1924). In 1932, there were six million unemployed in Germany. The chancellor, Bruning, seemed to be doing nothing to help the crisis and followed a policy of deflation. It was realised that the Weimar constitution was not working and one strong man was needed to lead Germany out of the crisis. The unemployed were desperate for work and would do almost anything to get it. A German worker describes why he joined the Nazis in the 1930s: 'I was unemployed for many years. I'd have made a pact with the devil to get work. Hitler came along and got me work, so I followed him'. As unemployment rose, so did the Nazi's popularity. The more popular the Nazis became, the more chance Hindenburg would consider Hitler becoming chancellor.
The Depression acted as a 'catalyst' which made the unemployed and businessmen remember the Treaty of Versailles. In March 1933, the Nazi party won 288 seats in the Reichstag, becoming the biggest party. However, just because the Nazis were the largest party did not mean that Hitler's appointment was inevitable. Many chancellors before Hitler had not even been leaders of parties, for example Franz von Papen.
The final reason why Hitler was able to become chancellor was his appointment by Hindenburg. Just because Hitler's party had the most seats did not mean Hitler had to become chancellor. In May 1932, Bruning was dismissed by Hindenburg. Von Papen became chancellor, but he was dismissed in 1932, partly on Schleicher's advice. Schleicher was then appointed chancellor. Von Papen was unhappy about the way he was treated by Schleicher. Also, like many other men in positions of influence, von Papen wanted to see the Weimar constitution changed, without causing an uproar. With his large popularity, Hitler seemed like the perfect choice. Papen thought of a scheme where Hitler would be chancellor and he would be vice-chancellor. Hitler would act as a front man and would convince workers, with his large support, that any reforms were right. Von Papen believed that he could control Hitler and that because Hitler had never held an office before he would do whatever he said. Hitler seemed to want what he wanted. Hindenburg agreed and Hitler became chancellor. The government they headed was a coalition. There were twelve ministers altogether and only three were Nazis. Von Papen and Hindenburg thought that Hitler could be controlled and drowned out by non-Nazis, but they were wrong. Without the Great Depression or his oratorical skills it is very unlikely that Hitler would have become chancellor.
All of the above factors contributed to Hitler's appointment as chancellor and he would not have risen to power had one been absent. The main reason why Hitler became chancellor was that shareholders panicked in a country 4000 miles away. Had the Wall Street Crash been removed, however, it is almost certain Hitler would never have become chancellor.
