HOW DID HITLER COME TO POWER?

WEIMAR GOVERNMENT

• The Weimar Government was created after the abdication of the Kaiser.

• President was elected and appointed the Chancellor.

• Legislators were elected through proportional representation.

WEIMAR GOVERNMENT

• Problems:– Groups from the Far-left and right fought for

control and tried to overthrow the government.• Communist uprising in 1919• Paramilitary uprising in 1920.

– 1922 - Munich Putsch by Hitler– 1923 – French occupation of the Ruhr.

WEIMAR GOVERNMENT• Inflation:

– To pay reparations and workers, government printed more money. Led to inflation.

Example: Price of Bread in Germany

WEIMAR GOVERNMENT

• Managed to regain control of Germany and the economy.– Dawes Plan 1924 - Allowed Germany more

time to repay reparations– Young Plan 1929 – Allowed reduction in

reparations.– Borrowed money from USA– Managed to overcome communists and

formed a coalition to overcome difficulties of proportional representation.

WEIMAR GOVERNMENT

• Overdependence on American loans.

• Still unpopular with extremist parties.

• Still seen as traitors who signed the Treaty of Versailles.

HITLER AND THE NAZIS

• Hitler joined the German Worker’s Party and became the leader.

• Blamed the following for Germany’s problems:– The Allies– Treaty of Versailles– Weimar Government– Communists– Jews

• Remained as the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (Nazis)– Nationalist (believed in Germany’s greatness)– Socialist (State should benefit everybody equally)

Mein Kampf

• Hitler wrote a book prison, Mein Kampf (My Struggle) which advocated:– National Socialism – Loyalty to Germany– Racism – Triumph of the Aryan race by armed

forces because all races, especially the Jews were inferior to Aryan ‘Master Race’

– Lebensraum – Expansion into Poland and Russia to get living space.

– Strong government – Complete loyalty to the Fuhrer.

USE OF LEGAL MEANS

• Hitler attempted to use legal means for the Nazis to come to power:– Initially unsuccessful in the elections.– Hitler re-organised the Nazis:

• Set up the SS – A personal bodyguard loyal to himself.

• Set up Hitler Youth.• Propaganda.• Persuaded rich businessmen to support him.

FACTORS THAT LED TO NAZIS TAKING POWER

• Took advantage of the long-term unhappiness about the Treaty of Versailles.

• Weak government unable to deal with the Great Depression.

• Effective propaganda.• Attacks on other parties.• Hitler’s personal qualities.

SHORT-TERMS FACTORS

• Economic Depression:– Great Depression – Germans became

desperate and looked for a solution.

• Recruitment:– Nazis failed to get the majority of seats but

was offered the post of Chancellor by the president in return for support.

FULL NAZI CONTROL

• Reichstag Fire– Hitler took advantage of the fire to arrest Communists

and as a platform for the 1933 elections.• General Election – 5 Mar 1933:

– Nazis did not have clear majority.– Arrested 81 communists in parliament to become the

majority.• Enabling Act – 23 Mar 1933

– Hitler was given power to make his own laws.– SA stopped opposition from entering parliament and

attacked opponents who spoke against it.– Hitler was now a dictator.

FULL NAZI CONTROL

• Nazis seized control of local government and Police:

• Set up Gestapo (secret police) and informant networks.

• Persecution of opponents and minority groups.• Banned trade unions and political parties in

1933.• Disbanded the SA by force.• Merged the posts of President and Chancellor –

Hitler was now the Fuhrer.