The Nazi party was first supported by ex-soldiers, those attracted by völkisch theories and those who believed the problems could be solved by extreme solutions. As time passed, the party began to appeal to the middle class as well as the workers and the unemployed. The Nazi party's large appeal ensured it's success. There was also those who apposed the party, such as the left wing parties, the church, industrialist and conservative elites. These groups held back the party's rise, but many were persuaded or didn't have the power to stop Hitler.
The Great war damaged Germany in two ways, it lead to chaos in Germany at that time and then later on helped Hitler rise to power. It created an overall sense of nationalism and the German people wanted to gain what they had lost. Most of this was lost due to the 'Treaty of Versailles'. Germany was faced with huge economic, territorial and military loss, such as the allies occupying the Rhineland and Alsace and Lorraine. Germany was worse hit in the Great Depression due to the economic losses in the war. The loss of the war also lead to the stab-in-the-back theory that the workers should have been working to support the soldiers instead of striking, which lead to Germany being divided. Although this doesn't account for the significantly large support for the Nazi party after 1929.
The Weimar government seemed almost perfect, although it had obvious weaknesses which ultimately lead to it's downfall. There was no tradition of Democracy in Germany, and perhaps the public was looking for government more towards the old Wilhelmine aristocracy. With this huge political change there was no change to the social structure, the tradition elites still maintained some power and the army continued having right wing nationalist leadership. The structure of the government lead to coalitions having to be formed in order to obtain a majority vote. The Social Democratic Party (or SPD) and KPD's failed to join, leaving the Nazi's to opportunity to join with other parties and win the majority. These weaknesses meant that Hitler was able to become chancellor.
The Germany economy was unstable since The Great War. Having to pay reparations of the Treaty of Versailles and the huge cost of the war had a large impact on German life. The new democratic government tried to cover costs by printing more money, which did nothing but cause hyper-inflation. This lead to unemployment and people started looking for an alternative government, which was the Nazi party. Although at this time, before the Great Depression, the Nazi party was significantly small and seen as nothing more than 'glorified thugs' for Munich. Without the contribution of others, the party would have stayed this way and Hitler may have never risen to power.
If it wasn't from individuals with extensive power, Hitler may have never become chancellor. A.J.P. Taylor comments in The Origins of the Second War that 'He (Hitler) did not seize power. He waited for it to be thrust upon him by the men who had previously tried to keep him out'. Schleicher had his own interests in mind when he advised Hindenburg to make Hitler chancellor. He persuaded Hindenburg that in parliament they could control Hitler to an extent. They underestimated Hitler, it was almost impossible to stop his growing power. Although, if the Nazi party hadn't gained popularity, Hindenburg would have never been faced with this problem. Streseman was killed in 1929. He has been said to be one of the best statesman of the republic and perhaps if he had lived, Streseman may have provided an alternative government.
Hitler was known for his appeal, charisma and extreme policies, all which helped him rise to power in 1933. One of his skills was his speeches, which were powerful and persuading. As explained by Heinz a Heinz, Germany's Hitler, Hurst and Blakett, London 1934, “After the revolt in 1918 I was a a communist. I couldn't see any other way to bring the sort of socialism about that we wanted......... Then this man Hitler got up to speak... everything he said was just common sense and sound. Although I wasn't one to be won over all in a moment, it didn't take me longer than that first meeting to realise that Hitler was straight as a die....” Hitler also found a simple but effective way to use propaganda. He gave an image of being modern and ready to change Germany.
Hitler's extreme policies, such as those of anticommunism and antisemitism gave the German a new alternative. It is unlikely that without other events, the Hitler would have rose to power with just these policies and methods. In the twenty five points there were also socialist views and objectives, so it appealed to the workers as well. It is these policies that contributed to his rise in 1933.
Hitler would have never gained his national status without the help of some of the traditional elites. The Harzburg Front was set up by Hugenburg to over throw the Young Plan. Hitler was asked to join due to his anticommunist views. From this event, Hitler gained respectability from the right-wing forces, gained his national status and was introduced to those of wealth and influence. Hitler used this newly acquired status and ran for president, and although he didn't win, he gain a third of the vote and further developed his status. This doesn't account for the large public support, but was an important step in Hitler's rise to power.
The most significant factor in Hitler rise to power in 1933 was the Great Depression, as with out this, the Nazi Party would not have been able to obtain support. Although without other factors such as The Great War, the failure of Weimar, the unstable economy, individuals and tradition elites, Hitler's appeal and policies, the Nazi party would never have risen to power.
Jessica Ruming
12 Modern History
