The Nazi Road to Power 1930-33

Semi-dictatorship

Bruning’s political position after the September 1930 elections was very difficult. His plans to re enforce his parliamentary support from the centre right had failed and instead he was faced with more powerful opposition from the extreme left and right. Bruning continued as chancellor with the support of Hindenburg but being a minority coalition govt he could only govern by the implementation of clause 48.He was only able to rule like this because the Social Democrats who refused to be a part of his govt, tolerated the situation because they feared the rise of more extreme parties.

Therefore parliamentary democracy gave way to presidential govt

Bruning’s aim for the next two years was to undermine the support for the extremists through successful economic and foreign policies. He proposed several popular initiatives including an end to reparation payments an Austro-German customs union and equality of armaments for Germany in Europe but overall he was not successful-in part because inflation continued. In 1931 one of af Germany’s major banks closed and by 1932 there were 5 million unemployed. Hindenburg was re-elected in 1932 after Hitler failed to beat him, but it doubled the Nazi vote.

Hindenburg forced Bruning to resign in May 1932 by refusing to sign anymore emergency decrees. Hindenburg’s decision was influenced by his inner circle of advisors, particularly Schleicher, who felt that the Nazis could no longer be ignored and should be included in a new more right wing coalition.

The new chancellor was Von Papen who had little experience of politics. This suited Schleicher and his group of political intriguers who hoped to use Von Papen as a figurehead. This group included some of the old autocratic landowners and industrialists. Hitler was persuaded by Hitler not to op[pose the new coalition by the promise of new elections and an end to the ban on the SA and SS. In the election of July 1932 the Nazis won 230 seats and as the largest party in the Reichstag had the right to form a govt.

NAZI VOTERS

1932- 37.4% of vote. Largest party in the Reichstag but not a majority.

Who voted for them?  New voters  Previous non-voters  Voters who had previously voted for other parties

WHY?  Young-offered hope and better future  Middle class- lack of faith in the present system  Protestants  Country dwellers- offered return to former prosperity

WHO DIDN’T VOTE FOR THEM?  CATHOLICS  COMMUNISTS  Social Democrats- believed in fair play  Dwellers in large industrial areas- influenced by TUs Be aware of generalising too much. NAZI POLITICAL METHODS

Propaganda

Played a big part in Nazi success.In April 1930 Goebbels put in charge of Nazi propaganda machine. This enabled them to:  Send instructions from HQ and adapt them to local area  Key areas could be targeted and money etc sent there  New ideas could be fed back and used elsewhere  Vast range of propaganda techniques could be used: posters, leaflets, radios, films, planes expensive cars, rallies concerts. Great use was made of military salutes, uniforms etc. also music and torches, night rallies.

Violence

Nazis also encouraged the use of violence, persecution and intimidation as a means to achieving their ends. There were many battles, riots and deaths during the 1932 July election and this was encouraged by the leadership who saw control of the streets as central to the expansion of Nazi power.Nazis were quite happy to use undemocratic methods to achieve their legal revolution.

THE APPOINTMENT OF HITLER AS CHANCELLOR July 1932- January 1933

Hitler not made chancellor in July 1932 but offered cabinet positions for him and two other Nazis. This was done so that Hitler would have limited power and therefore be controlled, however Hitler refused anything but job of chancellor. Von Papen called another election in November 1932 Knowing that the people were sick of elections and that the Nazis were running out of money he assumed that they would get a lower vote and therefore Hitler would have to shut up.He was right but the Nazis were still alarge group and he still needed their support for a coalition govt.Hitler still wanted Chancellor’s job. Hindenburg forced Von Papen to resign and brought in Schleicher.He only remained in power for a few weeks because his attempt to split the Nazi party by making promises with the socialist wing under General Strasser.

In Jan 1933 v. Papen and a group of advisors/intriguers which included Hindenburg’s son and Meissner the state secretary plus powerful men from industry, the army and the landowning classes came up with a plan to replace Schleicher with a new govt that had V.Papen as vice chancellor and Hitler as chancellor. He believed that he would be able to control Hitler.Hindenburg agreed.

WHY DID THE NAZIS REPLACE THE WEIMAR REPUBLIC?

Why did the Weimar Republic fail?  Created out of defeat  Associated with Treaty of Versailles  Compromise constitution  Economic problems  Political uncertainty caused by constant coalition govts  Growth of Nazis

Why did the Nazis and not some other party take power? 1. Depression turned Nazis into a mass movt 2. Nazi ideology appealed to many 3. Propaganda meant message spread 4. well organised 5. charisma of the little man with a moustache! 6. Mutual recognition by Hitler and representatives of the army, big business landowners that they needed him in power 7. Other parties too divided 8. Conservative right wing thought thye could control him.