How was Hitler able to become Chancellor in January 1933?
Financial backing, propaganda, violence, & Hitler’s own skills drove Nazi success against a long-term background of resentment and Weimar weaknesses. In the short-term anger at the Depression and political errors by Hindenburg & von Papen handed Hitler power rather than him seizing it.
Long-term Causes
1. Bitterness about WWI/Versailles
• Anger about WWI loss & → support for Hitler’s expansionist, nationalist ideas.
2. Weak Weimar Constitution
• Weaknesses → instability; some Germans wanted to return to a dictatorship.
• During 1929–33 crisis, no strong opposition to Hitler emerged.
3. Financial Backing
• Wealthy industrialists funded Nazi propaganda/campaigns, eg:
◦ Hjalmar (Reichsbank head).
◦ Fritz von Thyssen (steel magnate).
◦ Alfred (Krupp steel).
◦ IG Farben (chemicals) gave 50% of 1933 election funds.
◦ Opel (GM subsidiary) & Schroeder Bank also backed Hitler.
• Foreign support:
◦ Henry (Ford Motors) influenced Mein Kampf.
◦ Union Banking Corp. (George Bush’s great-grandfather).
◦ WA Harriman & Co. (Bush family links).
◦ Irenee du Pont (Du Pont explosives, GM board).
4. Party Programme
• Broad Nazi platform appealed to all groups → widespread support.
5. Propaganda
• Blamed Jews for Germany’s problems; promoted Hitler as their ‘’.
6. SA Violence
• SA attacked Jews/opponents. Many feared speaking out.
• Desperation → extreme solutions: Nazis gained seats (12 in 1928 → 230 by July 1932).
9. Hindenburg’s Miscalculation
• Nov. 1932: Nazis’ vote share fell (230 seats → 196). Hitler considered suicide.
• Franz von (Chancellor) couldn’t govern; President ruled by decree via .
• Hindenburg/von Papen offered Hitler Vice-Chancellor role; Hitler refused, demanded Chancellorship.
• On : Hindenburg appointed Hitler Chancellor, believing he and Papen could control him → grave error.
Financial backing, propaganda, violence, & Hitler’s own skills drove Nazi success against a long-term background of resentment and Weimar weaknesses. In the short-term anger at the Depression and political errors by Hindenburg & von Papen handed Hitler power rather than him seizing it.
Long-term Causes
1. Bitterness about WWI/Versailles
• Anger about WWI loss & TREATY OF VERSAILLES → support for Hitler’s expansionist, nationalist ideas.
2. Weak Weimar Constitution
• Weaknesses → instability; some Germans wanted to return to a dictatorship.
• During 1929–33 crisis, no strong opposition to Hitler emerged.
3. Financial Backing
• Wealthy industrialists funded Nazi propaganda/campaigns, eg:
◦ Hjalmar SCHACHT (Reichsbank head).
◦ Fritz von Thyssen (steel magnate).
◦ Alfred KRUPP (Krupp steel).
◦ IG Farben (chemicals) gave 50% of 1933 election funds.
◦ Opel (GM subsidiary) & Schroeder Bank also backed Hitler.
• Foreign support:
◦ Henry FORD (Ford Motors) influenced Mein Kampf.
◦ Union Banking Corp. (George Bush’s great-grandfather).
◦ WA Harriman & Co. (Bush family links).
◦ Irenee du Pont (Du Pont explosives, GM board).
4. Party Programme
• Broad Nazi platform appealed to all groups → widespread support.
5. Propaganda
• Blamed Jews for Germany’s problems; promoted Hitler as their ‘LAST HOPE’.
6. SA Violence
• SA attacked Jews/opponents. Many feared speaking out.
• Courts ignored STORMTROOPER violence, increasing Nazi power.
