History Test: Hitler and the Nazis in Germany: How Did Hitler Come into Power?

Hitler and the Nazis in Germany: How Did Hitler Come into Power? Part 1

1. Germany after World War I: the foundation of everything

After World War I, Germany was in crisis. The country lost the war, and the Treaty of Versailles (1919) punished Germany very harshly.

What the Treaty of Versailles did (SUPER IMPORTANT):

• Germany lost territory and overseas colonies

• Germany was forced to pay massive reparations

• The German army was severely limited

• Germany was blamed entirely for the war (war guilt clause)

➡ WHY THIS MATTERS:
This caused national humiliation, anger, and a desire for revenge. Many Germans felt the treaty was unfair and believed their leaders had betrayed them. This anger made people open to extreme ideas.

Hitler and the Nazis in Germany: How Did Hitler Come into Power? Part 2

2. Weak democracy: the Weimar Republic

After the war, Germany became a democracy called the Weimar Republic.

Problems with the Weimar Republic:

• It was new and fragile

• Many Germans preferred authoritarian rule and distrusted democracy

• Political parties constantly argued and governments collapsed

• It relied on emergency powers, which weakened democracy

➡ WHY THIS MATTERS:
People began to associate democracy with chaos and failure, making them more willing to support a strong leader who promised order.

⭐ SUPER IMPORTANT: Hitler did not overthrow a strong system — he exploited a weak one.

Hitler and the Nazis in Germany: How Did Hitler Come into Power? Part 3

3. Economic disasters: hyperinflation and the Great Depression

Germany faced economic collapse twice.

Hyperinflation (1923):

• German money became almost worthless

• People’s savings disappeared overnight

• Middle-class Germans lost everything

Great Depression (1929):

• U.S. loans to Germany stopped

• Businesses collapsed

• Millions became unemployed

• Poverty and fear spread rapidly

➡ WHY THIS MATTERS:
When people are desperate, they look for simple explanations and strong promises. Hitler blamed democracy, Jews, communists, and the Treaty of Versailles.

⭐ SUPER IMPORTANT: Economic crisis pushed ordinary people toward extremist parties like the Nazis.

Hitler and the Nazis in Germany: How Did Hitler Come into Power? Part 4

4. Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party

Hitler joined the German Workers’ Party, which later became the Nazi Party (NSDAP).

What made Hitler successful:

• He was an extremely powerful speaker

• He promised to:

  • Destroy the Treaty of Versailles

  • Restore German pride

  • Create jobs

  • Stop communism

• He used simple messages repeated over and over

➡ WHY THIS MATTERS:
Hitler did not win people over with facts — he won them over with emotion, especially fear and hope.

⭐ SUPER IMPORTANT: Propaganda and charisma were key tools, not just force.

Hitler and the Nazis in Germany: How Did Hitler Come into Power? Part 5

5. Early failure: the Beer Hall Putsch (1923)

Hitler tried to seize power by force in Munich. It failed, and he was arrested.

Why this actually helped him:

• He used the trial as publicity

• He wrote Mein Kampf in prison, outlining:

  • Anti-Semitism

  • Belief in racial superiority

  • Need for expansion (Lebensraum)

• He realized power must be gained legally, not violently

⭐ SUPER IMPORTANT: Hitler learned to use democracy to destroy democracy.

Hitler and the Nazis in Germany: How Did Hitler Come into Power? Part 6

6. Nazi Party grows legally

During the Great Depression, Nazi support skyrocketed.

Why people voted Nazi:

• Fear of communism

• Desire for stability and jobs

• Anger at the government

• National pride and unity

By 1932, the Nazis were the largest party in the Reichstag, but Hitler did not have a majority.

➡ WHY THIS MATTERS:
Hitler came to power through elections, not a coup.

⭐ SUPER IMPORTANT: Ordinary Germans helped bring Hitler to power by voting for him.

Hitler and the Nazis in Germany: How Did Hitler Come into Power? Part 7

7. Hitler is appointed Chancellor (1933)

Germany’s elites believed they could control Hitler.

President Paul von Hindenburg appointed Hitler Chancellor in January 1933.

➡ WHY THIS MATTERS:
Hitler was legally appointed, not imposed by force.

⭐ SUPER IMPORTANT: Conservative leaders underestimated Hitler and gave him power.

Hitler and the Nazis in Germany: How Did Hitler Come into Power? Part 8

8. The Reichstag Fire and fear

Soon after, the Reichstag (parliament) burned down.

Hitler blamed communists and convinced Hindenburg to pass the Reichstag Fire Decree, which:

• Suspended civil liberties

• Allowed arrests without trial

• Silenced political opponents

➡ WHY THIS MATTERS:
Fear allowed people to accept the loss of freedoms.

⭐ SUPER IMPORTANT: Crisis was used to justify dictatorship.

Hitler and the Nazis in Germany: How Did Hitler Come into Power? Part 9

9. The Enabling Act: the turning point

In March 1933, the Enabling Act was passed.

What it did:

• Allowed Hitler to make laws without parliament

• Effectively ended democracy

• Gave Hitler dictatorial power

➡ WHY THIS MATTERS:
This made Hitler legally unstoppable.

⭐ SUPER IMPORTANT: The Enabling Act is the moment Germany becomes a dictatorship.

Hitler and the Nazis in Germany: How Did Hitler Come into Power? Part 10

10. Total control: creating a dictatorship

Once in power, Hitler moved fast:

• Banned all other political parties

• Controlled the media and education

• Used the Gestapo (secret police) to crush opposition

• Forced loyalty to the Nazi Party

• Promoted anti-Semitic laws

By 1934, Hitler became Führer, combining President and Chancellor.

➡ WHY THIS MATTERS:
There was no longer any legal way to remove Hitler.

⭐ SUPER IMPORTANT: Hitler’s dictatorship was built step-by-step, not overnight.