Hitler Manoeuvres into Power 1932 - 1933 Hitler Manoeuvres into Power

The Collapse of Democracy The Nazis manage to take advantage of the following factors to take control of Germany 1) Dissatisfaction of Treaty of Versailles 2) Economic Collapse and Unemployment 3) Aggressive election tactics by Nazi Party 4) Political Intrigue Doing deals to gain power The Nazis NEVER get a majority

NSDAP (Nazis) 14 12 107 230 196 288 Date of Election Jan 1919 Jun 1920 May 1924 Dec 1924 May 1928 Sep 1930 Jul 1932 Nov 1932 Mar 1933 SPD Social Democrats 165 102 100 131 153 143 133 121 120 Communists KPD/USPD 22 88 62 45 54 77 89 101 81 Centre Party (Catholics) 91 64 65 69 68 75 70 74 DDP (Democrats) 39 28 32 25 20 4 2 5 Right-wing parties (BVP/ DVP/DNVP) 63 157 156 174 134 90 66 83 72 NSDAP (Nazis)   14 12 107 230 196 288 Others 7 9 29 51 11 Total Deputies 423 459 472 493 491 577 608 584 647

Hitler Increases Profile 1932 Hitler challenges Hindenburg President Hindenburg is an old war hero. Hitler feels strong enough to challenge him for the ultimate position Hitler loses Hindenburg 53% Hitler 36% However, Hitler surprises many be polling so many votes. Hitler gets national media coverage

Political Intrigue May 1932 July 1932 August 1932 General Schleicher asks Hindenburg to ask Franz von Papen (Catholic Party) to form a government. replacing von Bruning – who had been anti-Nazi July 1932 Reichstag elections disaster for pro-weimar parties Best result for Nazis August 1932 Hitler demands to be made Chancellor Hindenburg dismisses the ‘Bohemian Corporal’ Appoints von Papen despite poor election results

Political Intrigue September 1932 November 1932 Von Papen loses a no-confidence vote November 1932 Another Reichstag election Nazis lose 2 million votes! But still too many anti-weimar parties with seats Von Papen wants to be reappointed by Hindenburg and rule with Article 48 General Schleicher puts himself forward Wants to work with reasonable Nazis (Strasser)

Von Papen’s revenge! Hitler dismisses Strasser No deals short of Chancellorship Papen does a deal with Hitler behind Schleicher’s back Hitler will be Chancellor Von Papen vice-chancellor Nazis given just 3 cabinet seats Von Papen thought that he could control Hitler Hindenburg tired of bickering

Why did Hitler come to power? Mistakes by his opponents Hitler and the Nazi Party General Conditions in Germany

Factors to Consider Hitler’s promise to smash the Communists SA Intimidation Chancellors Bruning, von Papen and Schleicher’s use of article 48 Hitler promise to restore family and moral values Von Papen’s hatred of Schleicher Treaty of Versailles’ conditions Hitler was an excellent orator Nazis become the largest political party Wall Street Crash Nazi Party Propaganda techniques Hindenburg was old and tired Schleicher thought he could appeal to reasonable Nazis Von Papen thought he could control Hitler Worldwide Depression