The Appointment of Hitler as Chancellor

• What type of government did Hitler have initially? 

  He had formed a coalition government with von Papen. 
• Why was Bruning important to Hitler coming to power? 

  His failed employment policies meant more support from the unemployed. 
• What did Schleicher do during Bruning’s time as Chancellor? 

  He pushed for him to rule by presidential decree. 
• When and why did Bruning’s government collapse? 

  May 1932 as Hindenburg refused to pass more laws by decree. 
• What kind of government did Chancellor von Papen form? 

  He made his government on a non-party political basis, so it was known as the ‘cabinet of barons’ 
• How did Papen show his support for the Nazis? 

  He lifted the ban that Bruning imposed on the SA in 1932 and imposed more on left-wing press. 
• How many seats did the Nazi Party get in the July 1932 elections? 

  They gained 230 seats, which made them the largest party in the Reichstag.  
• How did this change in the November 1932 elections? 

  They lost 2 million votes and 34 seats as many middle class voters grew tired of Hitler’s refusal to join the coalition. 
• Why did Papen resign in Dec 1932? 

  He was unable to pass any laws and he had lost support of the army so he no longer had the power to control the government. 
• Who did Hindenburg put in charge after Papen resigned? 

  Kurt von Scheicher, his good friend.  
• How was the ‘backstairs intrigue’ created? 

  Schleicher wished to form a coalition government with the Nazis. 
• How did Schleicher try to weaken Hitler’s position during this time? 

  He tried to bypass Hitler by negotiating with the organisation leader, Gregor Strasser. 
• What happened to Strasser? 

  He was immediately purged from the party after his negotiations with Papen.
• How did Schleicher try to save his failing position as Chancellor?

  He asked Hindenburg to suspend the constitution and give him emergency dictatorial powers. 
• How many emergency Presidential decrees did Hindenburg have to use between 1929 and 1933? 

  Over 100.  
• How did Papen become re-involved at this point? 

  He began to separately negotiate with both Hitler and Hindenburg’s inner circles to form a coalition with Hitler as Chancellor. 
• What did Papen say to Hindenburg to reassure him to go with his plan? 


  That with himself as Hitler’s deputy they could, “Box him in”.