Was Backstairs Intrigue or Popular Support Responsible for Hitler's Ascension of Power in January 1933?
There were many reasons as to why Hitler achieved the chancellorship on 30th January 1933. Germany was in a state of chaos, both politically and economically, under 'normal' circumstances extreme right wing groups would not have gained power. However Germany's devastation coupled with clever campaigning and a dynamic leader led Hitler to gain power.
The Wall Street Crash of 1929 crippled the German economy more than any other country. In 1919 following the First World War the Treaty of Versailles was imposed on Germany, included was the reparations clause, which meant Germany had to pay the Allies £6.6 million for their losses. The Dawes Plan (1924) and later the Young Plan (1929) meant that Germany depended on US loans to pay the reparations, this money was withdrawn when the stock market crashed. Following the Wall Street Crash Germany was plunged into economic chaos. The Wall Street Crash also resulted in high unemployment (6 million by the end of 1930) and also in 1931 the 5 major banks crashed, which greatly affected the middle class who had savings. German production was halved during the years 1929-1932, which affected the working class and business. Another blow to Germany in 1929 was the death of Stresemann who had begun to bring some stability to Germany. People looked to other more extreme parties to solve the economic crisis in Germany. It is partly the Wall Street Crash, which helped Hitler's rise to power.
In the elections of 1928 the Nazis only had 12 seats in the Reichstag, by 1930 this had risen to 107. In the first elections of 1932 the Nazis had 230 seats, but in November this declined to 196. Hitler realised, from his failed coup of 1923 that he had to gain power legally through gaining votes in the Reichstag. There are many reasons for this rise in support. The party was extremely well organised with support from Hugenburg who owned 53 newspapers all of which supported the Nazis. Hitler himself generated tremendous personal loyalty and he was seen as the saviour who would generate the moral renewal of Germany, he was also a great orator and could whip audiences into frenzy. They had a 'Catch All' policy, which meant they wanted to appeal to everybody. The Nazi's promises of Bread, Work and Freedom appealed to the workers. The party wanted to restore old values and a more authoritarian style government, which appealed to the elites. They told the Germans that the problems were not their fault and blamed the Jews and that they could solve their problems. They promised they would control trade unions and communism, which appealed to businessmen. The main support for the Nazi party came from the Protestant Northern German Plains such as Schleswig-Holstein. They achieved the Protestant vote because they looked for a strong leader, unlike the Catholics who already had the Pope. They had a youthful dynamic image, which attracted the young. The Nazis were highly skilled at propaganda tactics with Goebells in charge of this side. Their tactics were to simply reduce the messages for the masses and repeat them continuously. Hitler flew round Germany to promote the party 'Hitler over Germany,' no politician had ever campaigned this way before. They held mass rallies, created eye-catching posters and leaflets, which broadcast their potent messages effectively. They were successful in gaining public support through election campaigns, effective propaganda, and an influential charismatic leader. They did become the largest party in the Reichstag, however they never gained the majority vote so they were not voted into power.
There were many reasons as to why Hitler achieved the chancellorship on 30th January 1933. Germany was in a state of chaos, both politically and economically, under 'normal' circumstances extreme right wing groups would not have gained power. However Germany's devastation coupled with clever campaigning and a dynamic leader led Hitler to gain power.
The Wall Street Crash of 1929 crippled the German economy more than any other country. In 1919 following the First World War the Treaty of Versailles was imposed on Germany, included was the reparations clause, which meant Germany had to pay the Allies £6.6 million for their losses. The Dawes Plan (1924) and later the Young Plan (1929) meant that Germany depended on US loans to pay the reparations, this money was withdrawn when the stock market crashed. Following the Wall Street Crash Germany was plunged into economic chaos. The Wall Street Crash also resulted in high unemployment (6 million by the end of 1930) and also in 1931 the 5 major banks crashed, which greatly affected the middle class who had savings. German production was halved during the years 1929-1932, which affected the working class and business. Another blow to Germany in 1929 was the death of Stresemann who had begun to bring some stability to Germany. People looked to other more extreme parties to solve the economic crisis in Germany. It is partly the Wall Street Crash, which helped Hitler's rise to power.
In the elections of 1928 the Nazis only had 12 seats in the Reichstag, by 1930 this had risen to 107. In the first elections of 1932 the Nazis had 230 seats, but in November this declined to 196. Hitler realised, from his failed coup of 1923 that he had to gain power legally through gaining votes in the Reichstag. There are many reasons for this rise in support. The party was extremely well organised with support from Hugenburg who owned 53 newspapers all of which supported the Nazis. Hitler himself generated tremendous personal loyalty and he was seen as the saviour who would generate the moral renewal of Germany, he was also a great orator and could whip audiences into frenzy. They had a 'Catch All' policy, which meant they wanted to appeal to everybody. The Nazi's promises of Bread, Work and Freedom appealed to the workers. The party wanted to restore old values and a more authoritarian style government, which appealed to the elites. They told the Germans that the problems were not their fault and blamed the Jews and that they could solve their problems. They promised they would control trade unions and communism, which appealed to businessmen. The main support for the Nazi party came from the Protestant Northern German Plains such as Schleswig-Holstein. They achieved the Protestant vote because they looked for a strong leader, unlike the Catholics who already had the Pope. They had a youthful dynamic image, which attracted the young. The Nazis were highly skilled at propaganda tactics with Goebells in charge of this side. Their tactics were to simply reduce the messages for the masses and repeat them continuously. Hitler flew round Germany to promote the party 'Hitler over Germany,' no politician had ever campaigned this way before. They held mass rallies, created eye-catching posters and leaflets, which broadcast their potent messages effectively. They were successful in gaining public support through election campaigns, effective propaganda, and an influential charismatic leader. They did become the largest party in the Reichstag, however they never gained the majority vote so they were not voted into power.
