1. How did Hitler become Chancellor in 1933?

2. Chancellor Bruning resigned as Chancellor in May 1932 due to his inability to win support for his policies. He was replaced by von Papen of the Centre Party. (the fourth biggest party in the Reichstag)
My party do not have many seats in the Reichstag, which large party could I make a coalition with?
Chancellor Bruning
Chancellor von Papen

3. I called a general election for July 1932, how do you think that went?
Should I still be Chancellor?
As the leader of the largest party in the Reichstag I believe that I should be made Chancellor!
Chancellor von Papen
NASDAP = Nazi
SPD = Social Democrats
KPD = Communists
Zentrum = Centre Party
230 seats and 37.3% of the vote.

4. Why do you think Hindenburg refused the make Hitler Chancellor?
Despite Hitler’s demands for the role of Chancellor von Papen stayed on in the role at Hindenburg’s request. Von Papen though the Nazis were a flash in the pan and ordered a new election for November 1932.
Not a chance mate!
At the meeting in August 1932 Hindenburg refused to offer Hitler the Chancellorship. He could not answer, he said, before God, his conscience and the fatherland, if he handed over the entire power of the government to a single party and one which was intolerant towards those with different views.

5. Lets abolish the constitution!
No? I’m off!
Nazis win 196 seats and 33.1% of the vote.
Centre Party wins 70 seats and 11.0% of the vote.
NASDAP = Nazi
SPD = Social Democrats
KPD = Communists
Zentrum = Centre Party

6. As very few people trusted or supported von Papen, I Kurt von Scheicher was made chancellor. I attempted to form a huge coalition but I didn’t really work and upset the Nazis.

7. I know we’ve had our differences but…
Von Papen was so desperate to return to power he met with Hitler in January 1933 and decided that Hitler should lead with him a Chancellor. Hitler could be controlled.
Many rich industrialists got behind this plan as they believed that Hitler would save Germany from a possible communist revolution.
I know we’ve had our differences but…
Chancellor von Papen
Adolf Hitler

8. A strong figurehead eh…
Von Papen convinced Hindenburg that Hitler would be a figurehead to bring back stability but that he could be controlled. On 30 January 1933 Hitler succeeded in becoming Chancellor by legal and democratic means.
A strong figurehead eh…
So what was political scheming and how did it help Hitler to become Chancellor?