Why was Hitler able to become Chancellor in 1933? (The political, social and economic crisis)

The impact of the depression (1) - Depression in the USA and Germany’s Economic Crash

1929: Depression hit the USA.

-Lost huge amounts of money in the economic crash so asked German banks to repay the money they’d borrowed.

-This resulted in an economic crash in Germany where businesses went bust and workers were made unemployed.
-The depression was especially bad for Germany because they relied on US loans and worsened by the fact Germany was still paying reparations AND the Weimar Constitution made firm decisions about economic problems very difficult.

The impact of the depression (2) - Why did this help the Nazis?

These problems made the Nazi message attractive because:
-They criticised the governments inability to solve economic problems and promised strong leadership and decisive action.
-They promised to ditch the Treaty of Versailles
-They promised to solve unemployment (army and rearming)

-Hitler offered the people scapegoats (Allies, Jews, November Criminals)

-None of his messages were attractive in 1924-29 when the economy was doing well but now the democratic gov. couldn’t solve the problems.
-1930: 107 seats, July 1932: 230, Nov 1932: 196

Nazi Campaign Methods

-Modern and effective
-Generalised slogans rather than detailed policies
-Promised ‘traditional values’

-Blamed Jews, communists, ToV and Weimar for Germany’s problems
-Nazi posters were EVERYWHERE!
-Lots of street violence between communists and police which contrasted SA (seemingly disciplined)
-Nazis organised soup kitchens and hostels for unemployed
-Hitler was charismatic and used MODERN methods (film, radio, mass rallies)
-1933: Hitler stood for president and travelled by plane on tour of rallies which greatly increased his profile
-Gained 13 million votes (although lost to Hindenburg: 19 million)

Disillusionment with democracy

-Dislike of democracy in Germany (because gov hadn’t been able to solve economic depression)

-1930: Bruning followed tough economic policy to try save money (cut gov spending & welfare benefits - poorest suffered)
-SPD (main workers party) felt Bruning was making people suffer too much so pulled out of the coalition government
-Therefore Bruning couldn’t get any laws passed and had to rely on Hindenburg using Article 48 (emergency powers)
-Hindenburg called new elections in 1930 to try and get more support in the Reichstag but this just resulted in another divided Reichstag.
-People were now even more sure democracy didn’t work. They needed a strong leader.
-Unemployment was at 6 million and avg German’s income had fallen by 40% since 1929

Communist Threat

-As economic crisis got worse Communist support rose
-Communists fought police on street and tried to break up opposition party meetings

-Nazi SA met communist violence with their own violence

-Middle Class business owners + industrialists feared communism being introduced.

-They would lose everything if comm. successful because communists promised to take over all private businesses to then be owned by the state.

The Actions of a small group of Weimar Politicians like Hindenburg and Von Papen

-After July 1932 Reichstag Elections Nazis were largest party (230 seats)
-Hitler demanded Chancellor but Hindenburg refused and allowed Von Papen to remain
-Hindenburg used emergency powers to pass laws which Papen hoped would help with Economic crisis
-Von Papen had little support and called another election in Nov 1932
-Nazis were largest party again but less seats (196)

-Hindenburg STILL wouldn’t make Hitler chancellor and gave job to Von Schleicher
-January 1933: Hindenburg met with industrialists, army leaders and politicans
-30 Jan: Hitler is offered chancellor because they needed someone who had support in the Reichstag so laws could be passed
-They felt they could control Hitler because there was only a few Nazis in the cabinet (would mainly be conservatives)

-In theory Hitler would pass conservative policies and control the communists
-Hitler was not chancellor because of the will of the people, rather because of behind the scenes deals by German aristocrats and Bankers

In conclusion..

-The Economic Crisis of 1929 was a turning point of support for Nazis and Communists. (Extremists)
-Support increased dramatically between Reichstag elections of 1928 and 1930
-At the same time, support for moderate/ not extreme groups (People’s party, democrats, National party, SDP) decreased.