1. Starter activities : Choose one source and complete the attached activity
This poster of 1932 says: ‘Hitler – our last hope’
Who is this poster aimed at?
What can you infer about the tactics used by the Nazis to increase their supporters?
Source B
Number of Unemployed
1928     2 million
1929     2.5 million
1930     3 million
1931     5 million
1932     6 million
NSDAP (Nazis) Seats in the Reichstag
Jan
Jun
May
Dec
May
Sep
Jul
Nov
Mar
Draw a graph to show the number of unemployed AND the Nazis' electoral fortunes, 1928–1932.  
What connection do you notice?
Source C
[Hitler's policies] were half-baked, racist clap-trap... but among the jumble of hysterical ideas Hitler showed a sure sense of how to appeal to the lowest instincts of frightened masses.
Tony Howarth, a modern historian.
Source D
He was holding the masses, and me with them, under an hypnotic spell by the sheer force of his beliefs.  His words were like a whip.   When he spoke of the disgrace of Germany, I felt ready to attack any enemy.
Karl Ludecke, an early follower of Hitler (1924).
How far do sources C and D agree on the influence of Hitler in the success of the Nazis at the end of the 1920’s?

2. Why was Hitler able to become Chancellor in 1933?
By the end of the lesson you will have:
Sorted the steps to power for the Nazis in the late 1920’s
Analysed which factors are more responsible for Nazi success
Made judgements about how Hitler and the Nazis were able to come to power in 1933
Walsh pages

3. How did the support for the Nazi Party change 1930-33?
1930 Election Results
July 1932 Election Results
November 1932 Election Results

4.  Long-term bitterness
Deep anger about the First World War and the Treaty of Versailles created an underlying bitterness to which Hitler’s viciousness and expansionism appealed, so they gave him support.
Money
The financial support of wealthy businessmen gave Hitler the money to run his propaganda and election campaigns. 1 3 2
  Ineffective Constitution
Weaknesses in the Constitution crippled the government.   In fact, there were many people in Germany who wanted a return to dictatorship.   When the crisis came in 1929–1933 – there was no one who was prepared or able to fight to stop Hitler. 4
    Propaganda
Nazi propaganda persuaded the German masses to believe that the Jews were to blame and that Hitler was their last hope. 6
Attacks on other parties
The Stormtroopers attacked Jews and people who opposed Hitler.   Many opponents kept quiet simply because they were scared of being murdered – and, if they were, the judges simply let the Stormtroopers go free (see point 2).
 Programme
Hitler promised everybody something, so they supported him. 5

5. Which factor /s are most responsible for the Nazi rise to power.
Personal Qualities
Hitler was a brilliant speaker, and his eyes had a peculiar power over people.   He was a good organiser and politician.   He was a driven, unstable man, who believed that he had been called by God to become dictator of Germany and rule the world.   This kept him going when other people might have given up.   His self-belief persuaded people to believe in him.
 Economic Depression
After the Wall Street Crash of 1929, the US called in its loans to Germany, and the German economy collapsed.   The Number of unemployed grew; people starved on the streets.   In the crisis, people wanted someone to blame, and looked to extreme solutions – Hitler offered them both, and Nazi success in the elections grew.  
      Germans turned to Nazism because they were desperate.  The number of Nazi seats in the Reichstag rose from 12 in 1928 to 230 in July 1932. 7 8 9
 Recruited by Hindenburg
In November 1932 elections the Nazis again failed to get a majority of seats in the Reichstag.   Their share of the vote fell – from 230 seats to only 196.   Hitler contemplated suicide.   But then he was rescued by Hindenburg.  
      Franz von Papen (a friend of Hindenburg) was Chancellor, but he could not get enough support in the Reichstag.  Hindenburg and von Papen were having to govern by emergency decree under Article 48 of the Constitution.   They offered Hitler the post of vice-Chancellor if he promised to support them.  
      Hitler refused – he demanded to be made Chancellor.   So Von Papen and Hindenburg took a risk.   On 30 January 1933 Hindenburg made Hitler Chancellor.   He thought he could control Hitler – how wrong he was.  
       I In the end, Hitler did not TAKE power at all – he was given it.
Cut out the steps showing the Nazi rise to power.
Colour code them using the following key:
Political
Economic
Social
Foreign policy
Which factor /s are most responsible for the Nazi rise to power.

6. HEADLINE Picture 2 Hitler becomes chancellor
Different views of Hitler: Interviews and quotes
E.g.
Communist
Hindenburg
Weimar politician - Bruning
Editorial Comment
What does your newspaper think about Hitler’s appointment and why?
What will it mean for Germany?
Short biography
Picture of Hitler
Create a newspaper front page about how Hitler became Chancellor on 30th January 1933

7. Task Complete the focus task on page 273 of Walsh Sections 1 - 6
President Paul von Hindenburg
General Kurt von Schliecher
Franz von Papen

8. Hindenburg
Bruning
Von Papen
Hitler
Communists
Housewife of unemployed worker
In groups, prepare a short presentation giving the views of your person/party/group on:
Hitler’s suitability as Chancellor
Your part in making Hitler Chancellor/or how you tried to stop him
Your views on what should happen next

9. Why was Hitler able to become Chancellor in 1933?
Now check that you have:
Sorted the steps to power for the Nazis in the late 1920’s
Analysed which factors are more responsible for Nazi success
Made judgements about how Hitler and the Nazis were able to come to power in 1933
Walsh pages

12. How and why did Hitler become Chancellor in January 1933?
Intro: Briefly describe HOW Hitler was appointed; Identify the key factors in his rise to prominence
Part A – Discuss some of the different factors and identify the two or three KEY FACTORS
Part B – Discuss the main factors explaining why they were important. Which were most important and why
Part C – Analyse the events and decisions leading to Hitler’s appointment. What was most important
Conclusions: Answer the question in simplified form giving your account of the main decisions/events and factors that brought Hitler to power as Chancellor in 1933