How did Hitler become Chancellor?

1928 - only 12 Nazi seats in the Reichstag

Jan 1933 - The Nazis controlled the German gov

March-April 1932 = In March 1932 Hindenburg stood for re-election, despite being 84. However he could not secure the necessary 50% vote, there was another election. He had won but Hitler used this time to fly around the country drumming up support. Chancellor Bruning struggled to secure the economy.

Bruning resigns - He tried and failed to contain the economic crisis engulfing Germany. In April 1932 he made two fatal errors: 1. Fearing civil war, he banned the SS and SA. This infuriated the Nazis and alarmed other political groups that used paramilitary forces. 2. He announced a mass buy-up of land and use it to house the unemployed and homeless. This infuriated powerful landowners, of whom Hindenburg was apart of. Bruning resigned on 30th May 1933

Chancellor von Papen: One of Hindenburg’s key advisors was von Schleicher. Schleicher was building a coalition of right-wing politicians with the backing of industrialists and landowners. This was despite the Social Democrats holding the most seats in the Reichstag. The Weimar constitution had always intended - but not insisted- on the Chancellor representing the biggest party. When Hindenburg appointed Schleicher’s choice for chancellor - the conservative von Papen- there was outrage at the lack of democratic process. 30th May 1932 von Papen made Chancellor

Election chaos: As they didn’t command a majority in the Reichstag, von Papen and Hindenburg had to rely on Article 48 and rule by emergency decree. Accused of being a ‘Cabinet of Barons’. Soon the Reichstag fell apart and in July 1932 another election was held. There was chaos and violence on the streets. This only favoured the Nazis. The NSDAP won 38% of the vote and became the biggest party with 230 seats. Hitler expected to be offered Chancellorship but Hindenburg hated him.

Hindenburg and von Papen gambled that the Nazis would lose support. They called another election in Nov 1932. The Nazis got 196 seats but were still the biggest party in the Reichstag. Hindenburg sacked von Papen, Schleicher insisted that there would be civil war if von Papen stayed. Very reluctantly appointed von Schleicher Chancellor on 2nd Dec 1932. Hindenburg was confident Hitler’s popularity would fade. ‘Herr Hitler is no longer a problem. His movement is a thing of the past’

Von Papen’s deal: Schleicher had no political support. He instead offered to rule as a military dictator, with the army enforcing this. Hindenburg, despite his army background, believed enough in democracy. He refused. Schleicher was done for. At this point von Papen made an offer to both Hitler and Hindenburg. He told Hitler he would support him as Chancellor if he could be Vice-Chancellor. Privately, he told Hindenburg that between them they could control Hitler, telling the old President the Nazi leader was ‘In my pocket.. within 2 months we will have pushed him so far into the corner that he will squeak’. 30th Jan 1933 Hindenburg appointed Hitler as Chancellor.

Puppet Chancellor: Hindenburg and von Papen thought they would be able to control Hitler like a puppet. withing 18 months Hitler would be undisputed leader of Germany. Withing 18 months German democracy would be dead.

Who is responsible for Hitler’s rise?:

  • President Hindenburg: he never really believed in democracy through the Reichstag, preferring a strong leader like the Kaiser. This explains his willingness to rule by decree

  • Von Schleicher and von Papen: These right-wing conservatives schemed to move gov away from an elected Reichstag to a stronger leader. They ignored the spirit of Weimar democracy to keep themselves in power.

  • German voters: They had increasingly turned to the Nazis in elections, despite the modest drop in support by Nov 1932. They expected the Nazis to have a strong say in gov, putting pressure on Hindenburg.

Timeline:

  • In April 1932, Hindenburg won another term as President

  • In May 1932 Bruning resigned as a result of his unpopular policies

  • Von Papen was made Chancellor, but he failed to control the Reichstag, ruling instead with Hindenburg by decree in a ‘Cabinet of Barons’

  • The July 1932 election saw the Nazis become the biggest party. Schleicher replaced von Papen in Dec.

  • When Schleicher threatened to establish a military dictatorship, Hindenburg sacked him

  • Hindenburg appointed Hitler as Chancellor on 30th Jan 1933. He and von Papen expected to control him.