Why were the Nazis able to achieve power in Germany in the years 1929-January 33?

The Nazi ideology was very important in attracting the public to the party. The public could identify with the Nazis hatred of Jews and Marxists, as these prejudices were common at the time. The general public believed these minorities were responsible for the Germans defeat in WW1 and sought retribution. Street battles between Nazis and Communists were common and this helped promote the Nazi anti-communist feeling. Nazi ideology was effectively distributed to the public by the Nazis modern approach to propaganda through the use of new technology such as newsreels or through leaflet drops and public speaking. The Nazi press campaigns and use of newsreels were targeted at specific sections of the public. These methods attracted the Mittelstand, both the old and the new German middle class, in different ways. The older middle class wanted a return to the old style of capitalism and a return to a traditional system of rule. The new middle class wanted a new system that would bring about social change. Through the ambiguity and effectiveness of Nazi propaganda both groups were enticed to vote for the Nazis, despite having seemingly different desires.

Another important factor in the emergence of the Nazi party was its reorganization in the period 1926-28. This had a profound effect on the effectiveness of the party. The division of the party into ‘Gaue’ gave the Nazi party a presence at local level. This contact with the masses meant that people attracted them to the Nazi party and encouraged many to vote for them. The development of organizations such as the Hitler Youth and the Nazi Teachers Association were another example of how the Nazi party was able to tailor itself to appeal to certain social groups. These were effective but it was the Hitler Youth that could potentially have the greatest impact. The promotion of Nazi ideology to young people could attract to vote Nazi and ensure the Nazis remained in power for generations.

However the main reason the Nazi party achieved power was that they had Hitler as a leader. His strong public speaking meant he was able to attract and influence large crowds. It was Hitler who imposed many of the Nazis new propaganda techniques and also was a main part in the new 25-point program. Hitler was able exploit the economic crisis to transform the Nazi party into a serious contender for government and the people liked Hitler and saw him as the only one who could solve all the problems they were facing. Hitler was also a very calculating and astute leader of the Nazi party. His ability to attract groups that seemed to have different aims meant that he alienated few and gained many votes. This ability was vital when the Nazi party was faced with a major division. Hitler saw that he needed to keep the army and the wealthy elites on his side if he was going to gain power. However, opposition within the party saw this policy as a betrayal of the revolutionary nature of the party. Despite this split Hitler became Chancellor in January 1933.

These wealthy elites were an integral part of the reason Hitler became Chancellor. Many members of the aristocracy despised Hitler but saw him as a figure they could mould to fit their anti-democratic ideas and bring about a return to the political system in 1919. President Hindenburg appointed Franz von Papen as Chancellor because of the advice of Major General Kurt von Schleicher, who was a key figure in the elites. It was believed that the Nazi party would become more moderate in their political activity and that Papen as Chancellor could control Hitler. This control would be enforced by having the Nazis in government but not in power and by having a Nazi minority in the cabinet. Hitler refused to accept any position in government except Chancellor, which created a problem for Papen. To try and further undermine the Nazi power Papen planned his own dictatorship. However Schleicher persuaded Hindenburg to dismiss Papen and to appoint himself as Chancellor. In a move hoped to split the Nazi party Schleicher offered Strasser (a leading Nazi) the position of vice-chancellor. Strasser refused and on the 28th of January Papen persuaded the president to appoint Hitler as chancellor and Papen as vice chancellor in a Nazi-Nationalist coalition government. Without these political developments Hitler would not have been able to gain power. Once in this position Hitler knew that once he was in power he could strengthen his own position and eventually achieve a Nazi majority in the Reichstag. If this was achieved he could pass his Enabling Act and achieve total power in Germany.

The most important reason for the Nazis getting into a position of power was the desperate political and economic situation Germany found herself in the years after WW1. Without this the Nazis would not have been able to gain such widespread mass support. The most important reason the Nazis and in particular Hitler gained power was the belief that Hitler could be controlled and appeased; a mistake that would be made by Chamberlain in the years to come.