the rise of the nazi party

late 20s - early 30s

1928 election

• only won 12 seats

• still operating on fringe of G politics

• had national stability continued, NP would not have attained more votes in future

changes between 1928 and 1930

• NP made alliance w G National People’s Party (DNVP) in July 1929

• leader of DNVP very wealthy, controlled newspapers + news outlets which were used by NP to promote the party

the great depression

• US banks recalled loans from G —> economic collapse

• led to political instability, social hardships, widespread unemployment (6M @ end of 1932)

• govt. became divided

  • SPD wanted to increase taxes to pay relief payments

  • opposed by other parties

• govt. fell 27/11/30

post fallen govt.

• Hindenburg wasn’t prepared to make decision

• sought advice of Chief of Army General von Schleicher

• GvS suggested appointment of Heinrich Brüning as Chancellor as he favoured army

• Brüning did not have majority in Reichstag —> got Hindenburg to use a48

chancellor brüning

• wanted policy of deflation which was to be achieved by:

  • cutting govt. expenditure

  • decreasing taxes

• Reichstag rejected budget in July

• Hindenburg had to use a48 to implement budget

• Reichstag voted Brüning out of govt. w vote of no conf.

• Brüning responded by asking Hind to dissolve prlt. + call for new election

1930 election

• NP saw as an opportunity to gain more seats

• portrayed themselves as a party of action

• attacked:

  • weaknesses of current parliamentary system

  • divided PPs

  • inaction of current govt. regarding GD

• used G feelings of resentment + frustration

• did not say HOW they would have national revival but projected determination + confidence

1930 election outcome

• SPD still largest party (143), willing to support Brüning

• Nazis 2nd largest party (107)

• communists 3rd (77)

• both left + right opposed democracy + blocked any meaningful action made by SPD

• Brüning relied on a48 to introduce unpopular tax ^ and welfare cuts

• Hindenburgs term ended in 1932 + Brüning tried to extend his term but prlt. declined

the NP in the April 1932 election

• Hindenburg reluctantly agreed to run again along w Hitler

• biggest NP campaign yet

  • H went to an average of 21 cities/week, 6/day

  • mass rallies

  • all organised by Goebels

• Hind didn’t campaign due to health + dignity

• Hind achieved 53% of vote —> president again @ 83

influence of the army

• never fully supported WR, often acted independently

• during GD many believed G needed authoritarian govt.

• Chief of G Army, General von Schleicher became key figure

influence of Schleicher

• advised Hind + showed interest in NP + views

• began trying to remove Brüning as Chancellor as he failed to fix economic problems

• Hind was convinced to ask for Brüning’s resignation which showed:

  • failure for democracy

  • power didn’t reside w parliament but w Hind + inner circle

franz von papen general

• wealthy + conservative

• supported by few except for Hind’s inner-circle

• “hat without a head”

franz von papen as chancellor

• had 10 man cabinet known as “Cabinet of Barons”

  • made up of RW nobility selected + approved by Schleicher

  • no support in Reichstag

  • left wing + other PPs furious at how democracy had been betrayed

• to help support Papen, Schleicher secured understanding that H + NP would cooperate if ban over SA + SS was lifted + new election was called

• Papen agreed —> new election called in July

july 1932 election

• NP’s most vigorous campaign yet

  • street clashes between NP + communists

  • 17/7/32 NP planned a provocative march through communist neighbourhood in Hamburg —> 19 deaths + 200 injuries

  • H addressed rising unemployment (@5.4M) + hardships of GD

• NP won 37.4% of vote + 230 seats —> largest PP in Reichstag

• overwhelming rejection of Papen + CoB, only won 44 seats

post july ‘32 elections

• H demanded Chancellorship as largest PP

• Hind refused as he had a personal dislike for H

• was offered position of vice-chancellor but rejected

• Papen was outvoted in VoNC Reichstag’s first sitting

• Reichstag dissolved (w a48) and 4th election was called in the span of 8 months

november ‘32 elections

• NP reluctant for another election as funds depleting and difficult to maintain momentum

• NP vote declined to 32%, seats to 196 (still the largest)

• communists increased from 89 to 100

papen’s resignation

• Papen still had no support but in power due to a48

• H asked for Chancellorship but refused by H as thought would form dictatorship

• Schleicher decided Papen had failed

  • unemployment @6M

  • failing economy

  • increase in communism

  • dislike of P/Hin friendship

  • feared civil war would break out if another election

• GvS convinced Hind to make P resign

• Hind appointed Schleicher as Chancellor

schleicher as chancellor

• businesses + industrialists who supported Hind + Papel had intense distrust for Schleicher

• GvS attempted to split NP by offering high profile Nazi, Gregor Strasser, vice-chancellor

• H found out and had all Nazis swear an oath to him personally

• Strasser was accused of treason to the party + resigned

• Schleicher + Strasser shot by SS 18 months later

papen/NP coalition

• P remained in Berlin trying to get rid of GvS

• 4/1/33 P had meeting w Hind’s son + closest advisor

• planned to form coailtion w NP

• businesses + industrialists supported and pressured Hind to accept deal which would incl.

  • H as chancellor + P as vice

  • P to be present at all meetings w H/Hind

  • only 3/11 members of cabinet to be Nazis

hitler as chancellor

• Hind was assured that while H was chancellor, power still lay w him + P but still doubtful

• “I already have one foot in the grave and I am not sure that I will regret this action later on in heaven”