Hitler's rise to power

Hitler's Rise to Power - Essay Plan

Question:

To what extent were the weaknesses of the Weimar Republic the major reason for the rise of the Nazi Party between 1919 and 1933?

The task of this question is to:

1. Explain how important Weimar’s weaknesses were in the rise to power of the Nazis until 1933.
2. Explain the other factors that helped the Nazis gain power.
3. Reach a balanced conclusion that directly answers the question.

Introduction:

After the Great War ended Germany was ruled by a democratically elected government until 1933. However, between 1918 and 1933 there were many pressures on the new republic, some of which helped the Nazis rise to power.

Points to signpost in introduction:

• The weaknesses of the Weimar Republic/divisions among political opponents
• Loss of WW1/Treaty of Versailles
• Economic problems
• Popular appeal of the Nazis/Adolf Hitler's leadership
• Role of propaganda
• Right wing political intrigue

Set the Scene
Give an outline of the problems facing Germany during the 1920s, many of which the Nazis promised to tackle.

Weakness of the Weimar Republic/ Divisions among Political Opponents

KU

• ‘A Republic without Republicans’/‘a Republic nobody wanted’ – lack of popular support for the new form of government after 1918.
• ‘Peasants in a palace’ – commentary on Weimar politicians.
• PR voting system was difficult to understand and led to coalition governments.
• Too much power in the hands of the president. The Constitution/Article 48 (‘suicide clause’) - arguably Germany was too democratic. ‘The world’s most perfect democracy – on paper’
• Lack of real, outstanding Weimar politicians who could strengthen the Republic, Stresemann excepted.
• Lukewarm support from the German Army and the Civil Service.
• Inability (or unwillingness) of the Republic to deal effectively with problems in German society.

• Divisions among those groups/individuals who purported to be supporters of the new form of government e.g. the socialists.
• Left were split over treatment of Spartacists by Ebert and SPD in 1919. This made joint action in the 1930s very unlikely.
Analysis

• Weimar electoral system allowed the Nazis a foothold in the Reichstag - they could then appear credible and respectable.
• The Nazis appeared decisive and united in contrast to successive coalition governments.
• Nazi policies and strategy appealed to older, more traditional German values.
• Many blamed the government for letting Germany down, for example, by allowing the French invasion, Nazis appeared to be more patriotic.

• Lack of co-operation between socialist groups making any electoral opposition impossible. By splitting the "left" vote the Nazis won many seats.

Loss of WW1/Treaty of Versailles

KU

• German people thought they were winning the war, resented the new government for Armistice (“Stab in the back”) and signing Treaty of Versailles (“November Criminals”).
• Losses due to Treaty of Versailles resented by Germans.

Analysis

• Weimar government seemed weak when faced with demands to sign the Treaty of Versailles and the economic crises of 1923 and 1929.
• Hitler played on this. Weimar Republic associated with humiliation and defeat, used Weimar Republic as scapegoat, easy to blame.

Economic Problems

KU

• Over-reliance on foreign investment left the Weimar economy subject to the fluctuations of the international economy.
• 1922/23 (hyperinflation) - severe effects on the middle classes, the natural supporters of the Republic; outrage and despair at their ruination.
• The Great Depression of 1929 – arguably without this the Republic might have survived. Germany’s dependence on American loans showed how fragile the recovery of the late 1920s was. The pauperisation of millions again reduced Germans to despair.
• The Depression also polarised politics in Germany – the drift to extremes led to a fear of Communism, which grew apace with the growth of support for the Nazis.

Analysis

• Hyperinflation in 1923 and then rising unemployment from 1929 scared middle classes. The 1923 crisis was "the scar that never healed".
• Weimar Republic again associated with failure. Hitler took advantage of failure to deal with these problems. Catalyst that transformed the appeal of the Nazis.
• Hitler's claim that only the Nazis could save Germany from the communist threat was attractive to middle classes who feared communism.
• AJP Taylor "It was the Great Depression that put the wind in Hitler's sails".

Popular appeal of the Nazis/Adolf Hitler’s leadership

KU

• Hitler's attacks on Versailles attracted many Germans.
• He spoke of the "stab in the back" by "November criminals".
• Hitler blamed Jews for Germany's problems.
• Reorganised party into an electoral campaigning machine after his release from prison in 1925.
• Hitler developed policies that would appeal to everyone.

Analysis

• Hitler's speeches expressed how many Germans felt about the difficulties of the 1920s and attracted more support for the party.
• Hitler gave Germans an excuse for losing the Great War and his promises of restoring pride and destroying Versailles attracted support.
• Hitler provided a scapegoat - the Jews - and allowed Germans to feel better about themselves.
• Hitler's party reorganisation allowed it to capitalise on Germany's post-1929 problems.
• Projected image of himself as the saviour of Germans from the communist threat.
• Hitler's use of Weimar politicians undermined democracy from within and prepared the way for dictatorship.
• Hitler used problems of Weimar to his advantage, offered extreme solutions to problems. Hitler had never been in government so was not associated with failure. People had nothing to lose in supporting the Nazis.

Propaganda

KU

• Hitler saw the importance of propaganda - he made alliance with Hugenburg.
• Propaganda posters with legends such as “Hitler – our only hope” struck a chord with many.
• Use of propaganda, uniform, drums, flags etc - create illusion of strength and unity.
• Publicity from November Putsch and subsequent trial.
• Goebbels employed as propaganda chief, a genius who manipulated all forms of media.
• Reach as wide an audience as possible “the Fuhrer over Germany”.

Analysis
• Propaganda posters appealed to many who wanted simplistic and direct solutions.
• Strong aggressive stance against the communists.
• Image as defenders of Germany, appeals to the young.
• Propaganda message played on people’s fears and worries. Hitler able to appeal directly to wide sections of population. Same message repeated constantly.

Right wing political intrigue
KU
• Roles of von Schleicher and von Papen. Underestimation of Hitler.
• Hitler's political strength and focus manipulated Weimar politicians, such as von Papen and von Schleicher and even Hindenburg.
• Weakness/indecision of Hindenburg.
• Hitler had no automatic right to become Chancellor despite having the largest party in the Reichstag. Hindenburg was persuaded to appoint Hitler as Chancellor by a right wing political elite (Von Papen and Von Schleicher) who thought they could control him and use the influence/popular appeal of his large party.

Analysis

• The complacency of these men is ultimately responsible for putting Hitler in a position of power which he used to his advantage.
• The plotting and intrigue of democratic politicians not only undermined faith in democracy but also gave Hitler respectability and influence.

Conclusion

Overall, Hitler was an opportunist who used developments in inter-war Germany to his advantage. He was like a buckle that held the Nazi belt together and without him the Nazi party would have gone nowhere. However, in terms of the Nazi rise to power, Hitler benefited from economic crises, political instability and a discontented population looking for answers to their problems.
Summarise your key points