1. Hitler Manoeuvres into Power
Hitler Manoeuvres into Power

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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)

7. 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

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

9. 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