How Hitler becomes Chancellor

• When was Hitler appointed Chancellor of Germany?

  January 30th, 1933
• Who appointed Hitler as Chancellor?

  President Hindenburg
• What were the reasons for Hitler's appointment as Chancellor?

  • The Depression made Nazis the largest party
  • Fear of Communism among elites and middle classes
  • Hindenburg's eventual choice of Hitler as Chancellor
• What was the largest political party in Germany by early 1933?

  The Nazi Party
• What event led to increased support for the Nazis?

  The Wall Street Crash of October 1929
• How many unemployed were there in Germany by 1932?

  6 million
• Why were the Nazis not blamed for the Depression?

  They had never been part of Weimar Government
• What propaganda techniques did Hitler use?

  Modern propaganda techniques to persuade voters
• What economic policies did the Nazis implement during the Depression?

  Ending cheap food imports and rearmament
• What promises did Hitler make to gain support?

  Rip up the Treaty of Versailles and solve unemployment
• What was the peak support percentage for the Communist KPD party in November 1932?

  16.9%
• How did the middle classes view the Communist Party?

  They feared a Communist Revolution
• What was the name of the Communist private army?

  Red-Front Fighter’s League
• How did Hitler's SA interact with the Communists?

  They fought the Communists on the streets
• Why was Hindenburg initially reluctant to appoint Hitler?

  He viewed Hitler as unworthy of the position
• Who was Chancellor at the start of 1932?

  Heinrich Bruning
• What was Bruning's strategy during the Depression?

  To worsen the Depression to cancel reparations
• What nickname did Bruning earn due to his policies?

  The 'Hunger Chancellor'
• What happened to political violence during Bruning's chancellorship?

  It increased with street fights
• Why did Hindenburg refuse to support Bruning?

  He feared political violence and revolution
• Who replaced Bruning as Chancellor?

  Franz von Papen
• What was the composition of Papen's government?

  Members of the industrial and landowning elite
• What happened in the July 1932 elections?

  The Nazis became the largest party with 37%
• What was the outcome of Papen's government in September 1932?

  Lost a vote of confidence in the Reichstag
• What happened to the Nazis in the November 1932 elections?

  They lost 2 million votes but remained largest
• Why did Papen resign?

  He lacked support and faced civil war risk
• What did General Schleicher prefer regarding his role?

  To influence from behind the scenes
• What did Schleicher propose to gain support from the left?

  Raising taxes for government work schemes
• What was Hindenburg's personal motive for appointing Hitler?

  To control corruption investigations
• What was the belief about Hitler among the elites?

  He would be easy to control
• What were the key factors leading to Hitler's appointment as Chancellor?

  • Economic turmoil from the Depression
  • Fear of Communism among elites
  • Hindenburg's eventual decision
  • Political instability and failed Chancellors
• How did the Depression influence the political landscape in Germany?

  It led to increased support for extremist parties
• What was the relationship between the Nazis and the Communists during the Depression?

  Both gained support while blaming Weimar failures
• How did Hindenburg's views on Hitler change over time?

  He reluctantly accepted Hitler due to necessity
• What role did political violence play in the appointment of Hitler?

  It increased pressure for a strong leader
• How did the elite's fear of Communism shape their political decisions?

  They supported Hitler to counter the Communist threat
• What was the significance of the 'cabinet of barons' under Papen?

  It reflected elite control over the government
• How did the failed attempts to govern lead to Hitler's appointment?

  Repeated failures left Hindenburg with few options
• What was the impact of the Reichstag elections on Nazi support?

  Nazis became the largest party despite losses
• How did Hindenburg's health influence his decision-making?

  His poor health made him reliant on advisers