On January 30th, 1933, Adolf Hitler came to power. However, what exactly allowed this tyrannical dictator to take control of Germany's reigns?
Long Term Factors:
1: Political weaknesses of Weimar
Facts:
1. Between the years of 1919-1932, there were 376 political assassinations in Weimar Germany and no less than 40 different coalition governments. This was a result of the concentration of power at the top with article 48 and the diffusing of power/inefficacy afforded by proportional representation in Parliament. Friedrich Ebert used article 48 no less than 136 times.
2. Franz Von Papen, chancellor in 1932 only received 32/545 votes of confidence from the Reichstag. Kurt Von Schleicher took over however he was not able to gain a single vote of confidence.
Primary Sources:
Hindenburg said this of Hitler, "I hope you do not find me capable of appointing this bohemian corporal as Reich chancellor"
Historiography:
1. J.W Hiden: "by 1932, the collapse of the Weimar Republic had become inevitable, Hitler's triumph had not"
2: Hitler's Political Prowess and Staying Power
Facts:
1. In July of 1928, the Nazi party held a meagre 12/545 seats in the Reichstag. The Weimar people were content and felt no compulsion to side with Hitler's radical nationalist views.
2. However, by 1932, the Nazi party had 230 seats, gaining 218 in a mere 4 years.
3. In the presidential elections of 1932, Hitler ran against Hindenburg. Whilst he lost by 6 million votes, he still managed to garner 13 million to Hindenburg's 19 million. This was a sign of intent and one that could not be ignored. Furthermore, given that the Nazis almost had majority over the government, it would only be a matter of time before Hitler could take power without restrain.
Historiography:
Factor 3: Hitler's Ideology/State Sponsored Violence
Primary Sources:
1. "there must be no majority decisions, the deicision will be made by one man, who alone will possess the authority and right to command." - Hitler, Mein Kampf
2. On June 15th, 1932, the ban on the SA and SS, Hitler's paramilitary groups was lifted. They went about in the streets and cried out rather chillingly "Blut Muss Fliessen! Blut Muss Fliessen!". (blood must flow, blood must flow). This was followed by what is now known as "Altona bloody sunday", where on July 17th,19 were killed and 300 injured as the nazis confronted the communists.
3. "He was able to turn Coward into man" Joseph goebbels on Hitler's speeches
Short Term Factors
1: The Wall Street Crash
Facts:
1. Within the span of 3 years, by 1932 unemployment was at 6 million
2. 5000 children died within 3 years due to malnutrition
3. 1932 production levels were a mere 38% of 1928 levels.
Primary Sources:
1. "Rushes on the banks are starting. Savers are seized by Panic. They are afraid that the money for which they have saved and slaved, is lost." - The White Rose Berlin, 1929
Historiography:
1. Warren B Morris: "Treaty of Versailles... more than any other factor led to the destruction of the Weimar Republic and the rise to power of a dictator" - Very powerful contention, probably good for historiographical evaluation. This statement potentially overlooks the impact of the Wall Street Crash and its negative feedback loop involving the Dawes Plan and reparations payments.
2. W.O Henderson: "The economic structure of the Weimar Republic undoubtedly proved to be perculiarly well suited to meet the needs of the Nazis, but could have been adapted equally well to meet the requirements of a very different social and political order". Echoes the view that pre-existing conditions did not necessarily point to Nazi preeminence, yet rather illustrates that the Nazis were most effective to leverage their opportunity to do so.
2: Political Scheming
Historiography:
Ian Kershaw, "Chance, luck and tragic miscalculation were a major factor in bringing Hitler to power. There was nothing inevitable about his triumph in 1933"
Long Term Factors:
1: Political weaknesses of Weimar
- Weimar germany was always going to encounter political turmoil as a democratic nation being born out of humiliation. It was the failure of democracy to withstand economic and social turmoil that opened the floodgates for Hitler, although his rise to power was never inevitable. For the most part, policy under the democratic system was arguably the most effective it could have been, with measures implemented by Stresemann substantially improving domestic conditions. However, a number of exogenous shocks, including hyperinflation of 1923 and the Wall Street Crash of 1929 were too great for the developing democracy to withstand, and the rash actions of Bruning, Ebert Von Papen and Von Schliecher sealed its fate.
Facts:
1. Between the years of 1919-1932, there were 376 political assassinations in Weimar Germany and no less than 40 different coalition governments. This was a result of the concentration of power at the top with article 48 and the diffusing of power/inefficacy afforded by proportional representation in Parliament. Friedrich Ebert used article 48 no less than 136 times.
2. Franz Von Papen, chancellor in 1932 only received 32/545 votes of confidence from the Reichstag. Kurt Von Schleicher took over however he was not able to gain a single vote of confidence.
Primary Sources:
Hindenburg said this of Hitler, "I hope you do not find me capable of appointing this bohemian corporal as Reich chancellor"
Historiography:
1. J.W Hiden: "by 1932, the collapse of the Weimar Republic had become inevitable, Hitler's triumph had not"
2: Hitler's Political Prowess and Staying Power
- After the failed Munich putsch of 1923 and incarceration in Landsburg castle, Hitler decided that he needed to approach taking power through legitimate means. However, for the longest time it did not seem like there was going to be a proper avenue for him to do so. After his prison sentence, Hitler restarted the Nazi Party with a revitalised approach to gaining political power. He maintained the same policies as in the past, but had to establish a rigid party structure to gain support to legally come to power. Paired with lobbying and propaganda, Hitler only gained the necessary support after many years in the political sphere.
Facts:
1. In July of 1928, the Nazi party held a meagre 12/545 seats in the Reichstag. The Weimar people were content and felt no compulsion to side with Hitler's radical nationalist views.
2. However, by 1932, the Nazi party had 230 seats, gaining 218 in a mere 4 years.
3. In the presidential elections of 1932, Hitler ran against Hindenburg. Whilst he lost by 6 million votes, he still managed to garner 13 million to Hindenburg's 19 million. This was a sign of intent and one that could not be ignored. Furthermore, given that the Nazis almost had majority over the government, it would only be a matter of time before Hitler could take power without restrain.
Historiography:
- Jeremy Noakes: Aug-Dec 1932 were 'the months of crisis', and 'it appeared the policy of legality had led to a cul-de-sac'
Factor 3: Hitler's Ideology/State Sponsored Violence
- If anything, Hitler was a brilliant orator. He was able to inspire crowds to listen to him and utilised his brown shirts, the SA or sturmabteilung to incite fear and violence amongst the people.
Primary Sources:
1. "there must be no majority decisions, the deicision will be made by one man, who alone will possess the authority and right to command." - Hitler, Mein Kampf
2. On June 15th, 1932, the ban on the SA and SS, Hitler's paramilitary groups was lifted. They went about in the streets and cried out rather chillingly "Blut Muss Fliessen! Blut Muss Fliessen!". (blood must flow, blood must flow). This was followed by what is now known as "Altona bloody sunday", where on July 17th,19 were killed and 300 injured as the nazis confronted the communists.
3. "He was able to turn Coward into man" Joseph goebbels on Hitler's speeches
Short Term Factors
1: The Wall Street Crash
- On October 29th, 1929, the world entered one of its worst periods of economic depression it had ever seen. The 800 million marks loaned to Germany in the Dawes plan was pulled from underneath and allowed the percolation of dissent towards the Weimar government as the consequences suffered were severe.
Facts:
1. Within the span of 3 years, by 1932 unemployment was at 6 million
2. 5000 children died within 3 years due to malnutrition
3. 1932 production levels were a mere 38% of 1928 levels.
Primary Sources:
1. "Rushes on the banks are starting. Savers are seized by Panic. They are afraid that the money for which they have saved and slaved, is lost." - The White Rose Berlin, 1929
Historiography:
1. Warren B Morris: "Treaty of Versailles... more than any other factor led to the destruction of the Weimar Republic and the rise to power of a dictator" - Very powerful contention, probably good for historiographical evaluation. This statement potentially overlooks the impact of the Wall Street Crash and its negative feedback loop involving the Dawes Plan and reparations payments.
2. W.O Henderson: "The economic structure of the Weimar Republic undoubtedly proved to be perculiarly well suited to meet the needs of the Nazis, but could have been adapted equally well to meet the requirements of a very different social and political order". Echoes the view that pre-existing conditions did not necessarily point to Nazi preeminence, yet rather illustrates that the Nazis were most effective to leverage their opportunity to do so.
2: Political Scheming
- It was the political scheming of Von Papen to get himself back in power that allowed Hitler to finally be appointed chancellor on the 30th of January 1933. Kurt Von Schroeder, a banker, organised a meeting with Hitler and Von Papen, where Hindenburg's son, Oskar Hindenburg was also in attendance. This was on the 22nd of January 1933. Oskar was convinced of the inevitability which surrounded Hitler's occupation of the chancellor's seat and convinced his father to eat his former words.
Historiography:
Ian Kershaw, "Chance, luck and tragic miscalculation were a major factor in bringing Hitler to power. There was nothing inevitable about his triumph in 1933"