HITLER’S NAZI GERMANY

HITLER’S NAZI GERMANY

Achieving Power: 1929-1933

The Elections of 1932

• Government in Turmoil

• Resignation of von Papen

• Von Papen’s Plan

• Ascension of Hitler

Hitler Becomes Chancellor

Hitler as Chancellor

Why did the Nazis Succeed?

The Nazi upsurge can be attributed primarily to the Depression that had ruined many German businesses and led to a tragic increase in

unemployment. The Depression, in turn, stirred up a pervasive fear of impending political chaos, leading to an acute crisis in confidence for the

democratic system…the Nazis were undoubtedly beneficiaries of popular anti-democratic feelings

that they themselves did not create.

- Klaus Fischer

Why did the Nazis Succeed?

The Nazi program was skillfully tailored to winning the rural vote. It created a conservative image for itself by speaking up for the preservation of the rural way of life…it invoked the idea of a ‘People’s Community’

transcending the classes which awoke the multitudes of hopes, particularly among parish

priests and teacher who felt they were being taken seriously…the Nazis were the only party to present

an attractive offering to all village authorities.- Wolfram Pyta

The Nazis Come to Power

• Determined to Show Strength

• But Politically Weak

• First Steps…the Communists

The Only Real Obstacle…the Army

• Army Disdain Toward Hitler

• Promises to the Army

• No Army Intervention

The Breakdown of Law

• Call for General Elections

• Destruction of the Communists

The Reichstag Fire

• Communist Scapegoat

• Mass Arrests

• Election Results

• Manufactured Incident?

The Enabling Act