How Did Hitler Come To Power

Hitler’s Rise To Power When we look back at the horrific results that came to pass under Hitler’s leadership, we cannot help but wonder how a man like this could gain control over a country. In order to understand, we must look at the elements that were in place prior to his becoming Germany’s leader. During the 1930’s the people of Germany were depressed, defeated, and down trodden. They needed a leader who would give them hope and a plan to change the grim outlook of their homeland. Hitler was a powerful speaker who was able to influence those who were hardest hit by recent developments in Germany. Germany had just been defeated in World War I and was suffering from the economics of the war. Under the Treaty of Versailles Germany had to accept responsibility for the war and pay huge reparations, limit its military size, and give up territory to neighboring countries. Hitler promised the people that he would reverse the terms if the Versailles Treaty (United States Holocaust Museum).
In Germany millions were unemployed and the promises of the Nazi (worker’s) Party gave it the support it needed to become the largest party in the German Parliament (United States Holocaust Museum). Hitler had become the leader of the Nazi Party. In 1933 Germany’s president, Paul von Hindenburg, named Hitler chancellor of Germany. Just before President Von Hindenburg died, Hitler had signed a decree which abolished the position of president. Von Hindenburg passed away on August 2, 1934. The position of president was replaced with that of Fuhrer and Chancellor. This final move allowed Hitler to gain complete dictatorial power