How Hitler Became Chancellor in 1933 PDF

How did Hitler become Chancellor in 1933? 1. The Depression In October 1929, Wall Street in America crashed. As a result US banks lost billions of dollars, businesses and banks shut down causing a world wide depression which spread to Germany. Firstly the US stopped lending money to Germany and dema...

How did Hitler become Chancellor in 1933? 1. The Depression In October 1929, Wall Street in America crashed. As a result US banks lost billions of dollars, businesses and banks shut down causing a world wide depression which spread to Germany. Firstly the US stopped lending money to Germany and demanded all the loans be repaid. This caused serious problems within Germany. German businesses The German Government They were forced to pay back their loans and now received The government refused to print more money, so no investments from US banks. Industrial production Chancellor Bruning decided to raise taxes and cut dropped 40% by 1932 and wages dropped 15% unemployment benefits. As a result businessmen lost money and had to fire workers They also struggled to agree on how to fix the and close their factories and companies causing bankruptcy. economy, so nothing happened. The German people It led to mass unemployment of workers , 3 million workers in 1930 then 6 million by 1932 The farmers, the middle classes and businessmen lost their savings, businesses and went bankrupt With no work, raised taxes and benefits slashed the German people suffered terrible poverty How did the Depression help the Nazis? The depression caused more hatred towards the Weimar There is a direct link between the depression and Nazi Republic who made problems worse. As a result the people votes, as unemployment rose so did Nazi votes. began to vote for extreme parties like the communists and Nazis. Nazi Seats in the Year Unemployed The Nazis used the depression to get more votes as they Reichstag promised to fix the economy. In speeches Hitler promised ‘bread 1930 3 million 107 and work’ to all workers in Germany, whilst they opened soup kitchens for the poor. Nov 1932 6 million 230 July 1932 5 million 196 1933 4.8 million 288 The depression was a gift to the Nazis, it helped them finally get into power. 2. The Fear of Communism The depression also led to Hitler and the Nazis hated communism As communist support grew, this a rise of support for the (they thought it was linked to a Jewish worried the middle and upper communist party (KPD) conspiracy to destroy Germany) and classes and German businessmen. from the working classes. they vowed to destroy communism They were frightened of a They felt they were their Communist revolution as they would best hope. suffer. So they began to support the Nazis giving them votes and money. By 1932 they had 100 members of The Nazis used the SA to fight the parliament. communists in the streets and disrupt meetings. 3. The Weaknesses of the Weimar Republic Many people hated the Weimar Republic and they never forgave them for the loss of WW1, the ‘stab in the back’, the Treaty of Versailles and the Depression which they failed to fix. Between 1919-1933, there were 20 different coalition government who constantly fell out, this meant nothing got done so President Hindenburg had to keep using Article 48 to pass every law. This made the Weimar Republic look weak and useless. This helped increase votes for the Nazis as Hitler who promised a strong government like they previous had in the Weimar Republic.  How did Hitler become Chancellor in 1933? 4. The Organisation of the Nazis and the Role of Hitler Organisation The Nazis were very organised, they set up Nazi offices all over Germany to recruit more voters and got financial support from wealthy businessmen and industrialists like Krupp and Bosch. They even set up groups like the Hitler Youth to reach the young of Germany. The SA Role of Hitler The SA made the Nazis Hitler was shown as the strong, decisive leader that seem organised, Germany needed. He was a veteran, worker and disciplined and appealed to all Germans. Germany propaganda called reliable. In a time of Hitler ‘our last hope’ the depression, they looked strong. Hitler was an excellent orator (speaker) who drew large crowds, he would fly around 6 cities a day, delivering The SA were also used disrupt other simple but powerful speeches. parties like the communists and openly fought with them on the streets. In one In the 1932 Presidential election, Hitler received 11 million votes (30%) which clash 18 were killed highlighted how the people saw Hitler as a future leader of Germany. Propaganda Promises Josef Goebbels used modern technology The Nazis promised something to everyone, it is what gained them votes. such as radios, films, and loudspeakers Above all Hitler promised to make Germany great again by restoring law and alongside posters and leaflets. They order, destroying communism, abolishing the Treaty of Versailles and fixing owned 140 newspapers! the depression. They had simple messages He also attacked the Weimar government and blamed Jews for the problems. like ‘One People, One Specific groups were targeted with propaganda: Nation, One Leader’ Big Business: Promised Hitler was their best protection from communism Propaganda targeted specific groups; Working Class: They promised ‘Work and Bread’ and a return to traditional workers, farmers and businessmen. German values Goebbels was able to make sure the Nazi Middle Class: Hitler was the strong leader to bring economic recovery, he message was heard everywhere, locally would protect them from communism and he would overturn the changed and nationally. The message was ‘unity’, made under the Weimar Republic bringing Germany together again Farmers: Promised protection from communism and taking land from Jews 5. Hitler becomes chancellor in 1933 In early 1932, the Nazi were far from being in power but thing began to change. May Bruning resigns after losing support, so Hindenburg makes Franz von Papen chancellor 1932 The Nazis get their most votes, 240 seats (38%) July However, Hindenburg refuses to make Hitler Chancellor as he despises 1932 him, calling him a ‘jumped up corporal’ Von Papen loses support and quits as Chancellor Nov The Nazis drop to 196 votes in the election, but are still the largest party 1932 Schleicher is persuaded to become Chancellor, but he has no power or support in the Reichstag Dec Von Papen persuades Hindenburg to sack Schliecher who wants to use the army to take power. 1932 They foolishly think they can make Hitler Chancellor whilst controlling him. Jan On 30th January 1933, Hitler is appointed Chancellor of Germany 1933 The Nazis have got into power legally and democratically