1. The Nazi party and Hitler’s appointment to power

2. Financial causes

3. Weimar and Nazi Germany
A Change in Fortunes
Wall Street Crash leads to end of effective financial assistance from USA
Unemployment rises rapidly
Threat of Communism increases
Coalition government fails to address problems successfully
24/06/2018
Weimar and Nazi Germany 3

4. American banks demanded repayment of loans
German businesses slumped or went bankrupt
Statistics:
1.8 million unemployed (1928)
6 million (1932)

5. Political causes Stresemann died, October 1929
Disagreement among coalition parties (Centre Party & SPD)
3 alternatives: print more money
cut unemployment
raise taxes

6. Political causes
Hermann Muller (leader of SPD) refused to cut benefits to save money and resigned
Heinrich Bruning (leader of Centre Party) lacked support in Reichstag and used Article 48 to pass legislation

7. “In effect, Weimar democracy came to an end in 1930
“In effect, Weimar democracy came to an end in 1930.” Modern World History, p.153

8. Hitler’s tactics Support for Nazis grew rapidly, 1929-32
Hitler toured air by plane
Speeches
Modern technology, microphones & radio

9. Hitler’s tactics Joseph Goebbels responsible for propaganda
Nazis owned 8 newspapers

10. Hitler’s tactics
Wealthy supporters, e.g. Alfred Hugenberg (leader of German National Party, DNVP & newspaper owner); Thyseen (steel manufacturer)
Promises to reduce powers of trade unions
Promises munitions orders

11. Hitler’s tactics SA Numbers increased from to 400,000 by 1932
Street battles, bullying tactics
Crushed opposition and induced fear in elites

12. Who did the Nazis appeal to?

13. General appeal to population
‘Nationalists’
‘Stabbed in the back’ theory of the Treaty of Versailles
Failures of Weimar Republic,
Exploited suffering caused by Great Depression
Anti-semitism

14. Elites Feared communist uprising
Supported Nazis (e.g. paid for Nazi electoral campaigns)
Lost confidence in Weimar Republic
Suspicious of Hitler’s background – hoped to control him within government (using Hindenburg & von Papen)
Traditionally supported Nationalist Party

15. Workers & Peasants Farmers
Badly affected by Depression and slump in food prices
Nazis promised financial support & incentives for farming communities
Naturally supported socialist & communists

16. Workers & Peasants Germany suffering from economic depression
6 million unemployed (1933)
Nazis promised to end unemployment & financial hardship
Traditionally supported socialists & communists

17. Used Racism No discrimination under Weimar governments
Hitler made Jews scapegoats for Treaty of Versailles
Anti-Semitism in Nazi Party (e.g. Mein Kampf)
So..appealed to those who were Anti-Semitic or blamed foreigners for Germany's troubles..though not as important as we once thought…

18. The young Disappointed with Weimar Government
Attracted by career opportunities within Nazi Party
Impressed by activities of Hitler Youth Movement
Joined Hitler Youth to rebel against family constraints

19. Women Greater emphasis on role of women as mothers & housewives
Improved women’s rights under Weimar Republic
Nazi opposed to female careerism
So…why would they support the Nazis?

20. Women
Disliked move away from traditional family values in Weimar Constitution
Liked Nazi appeal to family & emphasis on role of women as mothers & housewives

21. Weimar and Nazi Germany
Into government (1)
Nazi’s use force to prevent uprisings
Rhetoric plays on peoples fears
Big Business won over through radical economic plans
Emphasis placed on military power wins support of many soldiers and traditionalists.
Weak coalition governments enables Nazi’s to gain political strength
Propaganda and shows of might impress the masses
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Weimar and Nazi Germany 21

22. Weimar and Nazi Germany
Into Government (2)
Electoral support rises: Nazi’s become largest single party in the Reichstag
Continuing economic crisis leads to break down of coalitions
Aging and ineffective president increasingly reliant upon Article 48
Germany in desperate need of a strong leader
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Weimar and Nazi Germany 22

23. How did Hitler become Chancellor in 1933?

24. Political developments
March 1932 Hitler challenged Hindenburg for the presidency
He lost by 19.4 million votes to 13.4 million
Hindenburg – the winner!

25. Political developments
May 1932, Chancellor Bruning resigns due to rising unemployment
Chancellor Bruning – not a happy man!

26. Political developments
May 1932 Von Papen becomes Chancellor
Von Papen – aristocratic & respected

27. Political developments
July 1932 Von Papen calls a general election to win more seats for Centre Party
Nazis win 230 seats
If the Nazis walk out of the Reichstag Von Papen will find it impossible to govern

28. 37.4% of the vote, 230 seats in the Reichstag
July 1932
37.4% of the vote, 230 seats in the Reichstag 28

29. Poltical developments
November 1932, Von Papen holds new elections but fails again to win more seats for Centre Party
Hindenburg replaces von Papen with General Kurt von Schleicher
Nazis win 196 seats
Schleicher – the military man!

30. November 1932
196 seats in the Reichstag, lost 2 million votes – why – improvement in the economy due to Bruning’s deflationary measures. 30

31. Political scheming
Von Papen hates Von Schleicher and now schemes to bring Hitler to power.
Along with powerful elites backing him, he persuades Hindenburg to sack Von Schleicher and appoint Hitler as Chancellor with him as Vice Chancellor (in order to control him).
Hitler is from the largest party and once they have ‘used’ him to crush the left and restore order they can get rid of him too
It didn’t work out like that…….

32. Political developments
Von Schleicher resigns when Hindenburg refuses to continue to govern using Article 48

33. Poltical developments
January 1933, Hindenburg appoints Hitler as Chancellor
Von Papen is appointed Vice Chancellor

34. Rise to power: an overview
Strong leadership
Determination
Popular Rhetoric and Hitler’s capabilities as a public speaker
Weakness of Coalition government
Wall Street Crash and the consequent economic collapse
Support of significant businessmen
Disruption of extremist opponents
Fear of Communism
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Weimar and Nazi Germany 34

35. NSDAP (Nazis) 14 12 107 230 196 288 Date of Election Jan 1919 Jun 1920
May 1924
Dec 1924
May 1928
Sep 1930
Jul 1932
Nov 1932
Mar 1933
SPD Social Democrats
165
102
100
131
153
143
133
121
120
Communists KPD/USPD 22 88 62 45 54 77 89
101 81
Centre Party (Catholics) 91 64 65 69 68 75 70 74
DDP (Democrats) 39 28 32 25 20 4 2 5
Right-wing parties (BVP/ DVP/DNVP) 63
157
156
174
134 90 66 83 72
NSDAP (Nazis) 14 12
107
230
196
288
Others 7 9 29 51 11
Total Deputies
423
459
472
493
491
577
608
584
647

37. How did Hitler turn the Chancellorship into a dictatorship by 1934?

38. Night of the Long Knives
Lesson overview
Reichstag fire
Elections
Enabling Act
Political parties
Trade unions
Night of the Long Knives

39. Der Fuhrer HITLER BECAME CHANCELLOR THE REICHSTAG FIRE THE ENABLING
ACT
Der Fuhrer
OATH OF
LOYALTY TO
HITLER
THE NIGHT
OF THE
LONG
KNIVES
DEATH OF
PRESIDENT
HINDENBURG

40. Hitler became Chancellor January 1933
The depression after the Wall Street Crash made many more people vote for the Nazis. In 1933 Von Papen convinced Hindenburg that Hitler should become Chancellor.
Hitler became
Chancellor
January 1933

41. The Reichstag Fire
February 1933

42. The Reichstag Fire The Reichstag building burnt down.
A communist was found inside the building. He admitted responsibility.
Chancellor Hitler was able to convince people that the Communists were trying to take power by terrorism.
He was able to have the Communists banned from the Reichstag.
February 1933

43. The resulting ‘Decree for the Protection of People and State’, asked for by Hitler and granted by Hindenburg (using Article 48), was crucial, as it allowed the Nazis to suppress the Communists in the upcoming March election.
This would give Hitler a greater number of seats in the Reichstag and would make the passing of the Enabling Act a lot easier

44. The Election March 1933 election to Reichstag
Hermann Göring, Minister of the Interior, ordered police to leave SA alone
Opponents, e.g. SDP & KPD forbidden from campaigning under terms of state of emergency

45. The March 1933 Election

46. Election Hitler needed 2/3 majority
Won support of Nationalists & Centre Party (promising to defend RC Church)
Banned Communist Party

47. Enabling Act March 1933, Enabling Act SA & SS present during vote
444 members for v. 94 against
Promised the Z Party that there would be concessions over Catholic schools
SPD absent in protest

48. The Enabling Act
With the Communists banned from the Reichstag Hitler was able to pass:
HITLER CAN
RULE ALONE
FOR FOUR
YEARS. THERE
IS NO NEED TO
CONSULT THE
REICHSTAG.
March 1933

49. THE ENABLING ACT GAVE HITLER THE POWER TO MAKE HIS OWN LAWS
THE ENABLING ACT GAVE HITLER THE POWER TO MAKE HIS OWN LAWS. SO, HE BANNED ALL OTHER POLITICAL PARTIES!
KPD
SPD
DDP
Zentrum

50. Political parties ‘Law against the Formation of Parties’
KPD & SPD leaders arrested & imprisoned in concentration camps
Germany a one party state

51. Trade Unions Trade Unions powerful during Weimar Republic
Depression weakened political influence & membership
May Day holiday granted then…..
2 May 1933, TU offices occupied by Nazis & leaders arrested & imprisoned
Labour Front (DAF) created

52. Political prisoners
were put in
concentration camps
run by the S.S.

53. The Night of the Long Knives
Now I have got rid of opposition political groups, I can now deal with opposition in my party. Ernst Rohm (an old friend), head of the S.A. is very unpopular with the German army leaders. They have the power to overthrow me.I’ve been worried about Rohm for a while, so this is a good excuse.
June 1934

54. Why did Hitler purge the SA?
Rohm & others feared as revolutionaries
Growth in membership to 2 million by 1934
Removal of potential opponents
Pressure from within SS (e.g. Himmler)
Concession to conservative elite
Concession to army (Reichswehr) – the only force who could have removed him

55. The Night of the Long Knives
Hitler had to get rid of Rohm. He was too much of a threat.
On the night of 30th June 1934 Hitler’s S.S. killed over 300 SA members including Rohm.
The army were pleased.
Hitler had gained the support of the army.

56. Night of Long Knives Others killed…… George Strasser (founder of DAP)
Schleicher (former Chancellor)

57. The death of President Hindenburg A final note PRESIDENT HINDENBURG’S
DEATH GAVE HITLER THE
OPPORTUNITY TO COMBINE
THE ROLE OF CHANCELLOR
AND PRESIDENT. HE CALLED
HIMSELF ‘DER FUHRER’.
August 1934

58. Oath of loyalty to Adolf Hitler
Every soldier swore a personal oath of loyalty to ADOLF HITLER.

59. So, how did he become
a dictator legally?