Why was Hitler appointed Chancellor in 1933?
Throughout the 1920s, people in Germany had been suffering. They had had food supply problems, hyperinflation and massive unemployment. This led to many hatreds being formed by people on certain groups who they felt had had a hand in the events. This gave rise to the radical far right groups that took this hatred and turned it into a full on war.
Hitler gave rise to the Nazi movement in Munich and reformed it into a strong political force. He brought onboard many powerful people to help him in the struggle to get Nazi power. After the unsuccessful Munich Putsch in 1923, Hitler lost control as he was sentenced to 8 months in prison. However he used this time to create his autobiography/ideals in the book “Mein Kampf.” This got him instant fame again as he left prison and went on general sale. He used it to regain power in the party and become leader once more. This also gave him the opportunity to make the Nazi party a political party which could win the general election and rule the country legally. In 1933, this is exactly what Hitler did. The Nazi’s won the general election and Hitler became the Chancellor. He then used President Hindenburg’s weakening health to take advantage of him and use Article 48 to pass laws which effectively gave Hitler dictatorial powers over Germany. When Hindenburg died, Hitler became President and made a joint position of President and Chancellor which he called Furher. This made Hitler the complete leader of Germany without a crime being committed. Hitler used the democratic system to gain power before dismantling it completely.
