political scheming

• General election held on 31st July 1932:

  • Violence in the lead up with around 100 people killed and 1,125 injured
  • Nazis win 230 seats (37.4% of the vote), becoming the biggest party in the Reichstag
  • Chancellor Franz von Papen (Centre Party) does not step down, Hitler demands Chancellor post but President Hindenburg refuses
• With no majority and impossible to form a coalition government, von Papen dissolves the Reichstag and calls for fresh elections in November 1932
• In the November 1932 elections, Nazis win 196 seats (33.1%), still the biggest party but not the majority
• Hitler demands Chancellorship again, but is declined
• Von Papen resigns and is succeeded by General Kurt von Schleicher, who aims to bring left and right parties together
• Von Papen approaches Hitler in early January 1933, agreeing that Hitler should lead a Nazi-Nationalist government with Von Papen as vice-chancellor
• The army, major landowners, and industry leaders believe this coalition would save Germany from a Communist takeover
• Von Papen convinces President Hindenburg that a coalition government with Hitler as Chancellor would save Germany and that he could control Hitler
• 30th January 1933 - Hitler is made Chancellor of Germany