Why did the Weimar Republic fail and Hitler gain power in 1933?

        The problem of hyperinflation had been solved by Stressemann. But the problem could reoccur and the death of Stressemann earlier in the month, led to the uncertainty of whether Germany could survive this problem twice within 10 years. Between 1929 and 1932, production in Germany was almost halved, and unemployment levels rose to 6 million from 1 million in the summer of 1928. Germany was already struggling to cope with its economic difficulties, but the government lived in fear of a recurrence of 1923, so was afraid to spend extra money incase it led toe inflation. The production levels had dropped considerably so Germany could not export as many goods as before, as first they had to consider there own people.

        The economic depression led to the increase in support for the extremist parties such as the communists and the Nazi party. Figures show that in 1928, the Nazi party gained under 2 million votes in the Reichstag elections but in 1932 they gained 14 million.

        The Nazi party was founded in 1919, as the DAP, in 1920 they changed there name to the NSDAP, leading them to become known as the Nazis. In 1921 Hitler became leader of the party. The size of the party grew steadily until 1932 where the party increased from 300 000 to 800 000. A key point which led to the rise of the Nazi Party was their organisation. Hitler had been sentenced to 5 years imprisonment for his involvement in the Munich Putsch, in prison he thought about how to rearrange the party. When he was released he organized the party so that Germany could become a successful volksgemeinschaft. The party had a representative in every town, so people could not escape there presence. Even before they became the leading party in Germany propaganda played a huge part in gaining support. Already the SA existed and violence played a role in them gaining support. Originally the SA protected Nazi speakers; over half the men were working-class particularity those who were unemployed. The SA members distributed propaganda leaflets in the street, but violence became more regular and chancellor Bruning banned the SA, although they just met without their usual brown shirts. When Von Papen was voted chancellor he tried to appease the Nazis so lifted the ban.

        After the depression and the problems of the Weimar Republic, people saw the Nazis as giving them a better chance. The Nazis use of Propaganda was overwhelming. In all the propaganda, they showed how wonderful the country would be if the Nazi party was in charge, and how much their lives would improve.

        In conclusion I believe that the Nazi party were able to take power in Germany due the amount of failures which the Weimar Republic had, they had come to power when the country was at its lowest after the defeat in the war, but the government had not lifted the country’s sprits and when the Nazi’s came along, the German public saw this as an opportunity to be a strong nation once again. I think that the Nazis came along when the Germans were most vulnerable, which is why they were able to take power.