Why did Hitler become Chancellor in 1932? By Mr RJ Huggins 2004

Why did Hitler become
Chancellor in 1932?
By Mr RJ Huggins 2004
Aims & Objectives
Why did the Nazis win more votes
after the Wall Street Crash?
Why did the army and businessmen
support the Nazi Party?
Why did Hindenburg change his
mind and make Hitler Chancellor?
Government Reaction to the
Depression

Faced with massive unemployment the
Weimar Republic had three options.
 Print more money and risk hyperinflation.
 Raise taxes to pay for unemployment
benefit.
 Save money and cut unemployment
benefit.
 The government couldn’t agree what to do
and the SDP resigned from the government.
 The Chancellor Bruning resigned as different
political parties fought for control of the
Reichstag.
How did the German People view the
arguments amongst their politicians?
Communist &
Nazis
promise to take
action
Votes for the
Nazis &
Communist
increase.
Von Papen
becomes
Chancellor
in 1932
No Action is
taken to help
the unemployed!
Many Germans
lose their faith
in Democracy
Papen is replaced
by Schleicher
later that year
Politicians argue
who should run
Germany
Votes for the
Nazis &
Communist
increase.
No Action is
taken to
help the
unemployed
Hitler’s Appeal: Nazi Propaganda
 Nazi Propaganda
portrayed Hitler as
Germany’s saviour.
 If elected he would
bring order to Germany
and create jobs.
 Nazi propaganda
promised Germans that
if Hitler was elected he
would give them ‘Jobs
& Bread’
Hitler’s Appeal: Nazi Rallies
 The Nazis held mass
rallies which were
staged managed so
that thousands could
hear Hitler’s speeches.
 Military music and
flags were used to to
give the impression
that the Nazis
represented order.
 Hitler promised over
and over again that he
would give Germany
strong leadership.
Hitler’s Appeal: Nazi Rallies
What does Hitler promise to do if was elected?
Why did people vote for the Nazis?
Year
Unemployed
1928
650 000
1929
1 320 000
1930
3 000 000
1931
4 350 000
1932
5 102 000
1933
6 100 000
 Many people voted for
the Nazis because they
agreed with the Nazi
ideas.
 Others voted for the
Nazi Party because they
were desperate to vote
for a party that would
take action to put
Germany back to work.
Why did people vote for the Nazis?
Year
Number of
Votes
1928
800 000
1930
6 400 000
1932 July
13 700 000
1932 Nov
11 700 000
 This 1933 election
Poster says ‘Hitler
our last hope.’
What is the link between unemployment & votes for the Nazi Party?
Why did many businessmen
support Hitler?
 Many businessmen
were afraid of what
would happen to their
property if the
Communists took over.
 These businessmen
also hated the power of
the trade unions which
forced up the wages
they paid their workers.
 Hitler promised to
smash the Communists
and the trade unions.
Presidential Elections, 1932.
How did the Presidential election affect Hitler’s
popularity with the German people?
Control of the Reichstag
 In July 1938, the Nazis
won 38% of the seats
in the Reichstag.
 Hitler demanded the
job of chancellor.
 Hindenburg said no!
‘He could not risk
transferring the power of
government to a new party
such as the National Socialist
… which was intolerant,
noisy & undisciplined.’
Hitler becomes Chancellor
Why did Hindenburg make Hitler Chancellor?
So why did Hitler become Chancellor
in January 1933?