HOW HITLER BECAME CHANCELLOR, 1932 - 33

• PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

  • In 1932, Hindenburg’s seven years as President had come to an end
  • Despite his old age, he was persuaded to stand for re-election.
  • Hitler also entered.
  • In March 1932, the first round of presidential elections began
  • Hindenburg achieved 49.6%. (50% required)
  • Hitler achieved 30% of the votes
  • In April, the government repeated the election
  • Hitler had relentlessly campaigned in the run-up to the election, by his speeches and the SA disrupting meetings.
  • The results of the election gave Hindenburg the presidency
  • Hitler increased his share of the votes to 36%
• REICHSTAG ELECTIONS

  • The NSDAP received 38% of the vote(50% required)
  • Hitler demanded that Hindenburg appoint him as chancellor
  • Hindenburg ignored Hitler’s request and kept von Papen as chancellor. He called for another election in November 1932
  • In the November 1932 Reichstag election, their share of the votes had reduced to 33%
  • Hitler lost support due to verbally attacking Papen.
  • Papen could no longer remain chancellor of Germany
  • Schleicher abandoned the coalition, he went to Hindenburg(persuaded Papen to resign) that if he stayed chancellor there would be uncontrollable civil unrest
• HITLER BECOMES CHANCELLOR, 30TH JANUARY 1933 FACTORS

  • The policies of the NSDAP - Hitler’s policies created national unity and common enemies of the German state
  • The economic collapse of 1929-33 - Germany had suffered two depressions in a decade. The people did not trust moderate parties in times of crisis. They looked to Hitler for an alternative solution
  • Hindenburg - Hindenburg allowed the abuse of Article 48. He never fully supported the Weimar Republic. His actions weakened the power of the Reichstag and people’s belief in democracy. The public looked to Hitler for a strong ruler
• MORE FACTORS

  • Von Schleicher and von Papen - Von Schleicher and von Papen ignored election results to favour a government controlled by the wealthy. This weakened the people’s trust in the Weimar Republic. Von Schleicher’s suggestion of a military dictatorship gave Hindenburg no choice but to give the chancellorship to Hitler
  • Underestimating Hitler’s power - Von Schleicher, von Papen and Hindenburg believed they could control Hitler and the NSDAP. Hitler used their naivety to his advantage. He used Weimar’s legal system to manoeuvre himself to the position of Führer of Germany by 1934