Assess the reasons that lead to the appointment of Hitler as a chancellor in January 1933.
Name: karl
Assess the reasons that appoint of Hitler as a chancellor in January 1933
Hitler was appointed as the chancellor by Hindenburg in January 1933, which eventually conducted to the convert of Weimar democracy to a totalitarian dictatorship. There are few reason should be assessed about why Hitler is appointed as a chancellor in 1933. Firstly, the vulnerable source of Weimar democracy laid the foundation of undermining democracy. Secondly, the conservative right provided a channel to lead to the appointment of Hitler as a chancellor. Finally, it is Nazis party itself entered Reichstag as a majority party from 1929 that created conventional appropriation for being appointed as a chancellor.
Most importantly, it is vulnerability of Weimar democracy flawed the republic above all which had remained a proper environment for Nazis to grow. The proportional representation had thereby enabled the proliferation of parties which meant that democracy could never maintain stable. The year after the settlement of treaty of Versailles people was deeply resented and they had a general feeling of uncertainty to the democracy. As a result, it provided some 30 parties contested in each general election, and coalition government became “the fact of life”. Although SPD, DDP and Centre had a convincing majority of 78% seats in Reichstag, but it fell to 48% so that they pulled DVP into coalition in order to maintain a majority. However this system was flawed when a party with an ideology of eradicating democracy can also join into Reichstag such as Nazis, it therefore was enablement of Nazis rising to the power. Meanwhile, moderate parties’ coalition could suddenly weaken when any party withdrew from the coalition. Above this, it was irresponsible of moderate parties to not have secured majority, which had allowed Nazis to appeal to all classes. Centre party swung to right from their original central position, and failed to secure protestant’s votes. DVP and DDP were failed to maintain their electorates support from middle classes which translated to Nazis major support. As well as this, it was a strong conservative base under constitution, the army, judiciary and civil service were still feel against democracy, and among this was Hindenburg who was extremely popular and was president at the time. This as a whole allowed the conservative right to prioritise, when Hitler entered Reichstag with a majority, they were delighted and was willing to collaborate to achieve their common aim, overthrow democracy.
