To What Extent Could Nazi Consolidation Of Power Could Have Been Prevented

Could the Nazi takeover of the German state and national consolidation of power have been prevented? Who could have prevented it, and what would they have needed to do? If a Nazi dictatorship could have been prevented, what was the most likely alternative outcome? The rise in power of Hitler in January 30, 1933 did not come through a revolutionary way, but through lies and manipulations that eventually secured Hitler his election in a political office. Having already attempted to take over the German government by force in November 1923, Hitler had failed and was, now, fully determined that the Nazis will gain control of the German state only in a “legal” manner (Spielvogel, pp. 59).
In the spring of 1932 with the expiration of the presidential term of Hindenburg, it was strongly believed by many, especially the left wing that avoiding Hitler’s rise in power it would be necessary for Hindenburg to run again for president. The Social
Democrats were especially willing to support Hindenburg’s reelection. This way, the popular Hindenburg would be elected again and thus, leave no possible chances for Hitler to win (Spielvogel, pp. 60). After his reelection, the president reluctantly accepted a plan recommended by the then current chancellor Bruning to ban the SA because of the trouble that they had caused during the election. This action along with other accusations caused the dismissal of the chancellor, which marked the beginning of the Hitler’s rise to power.
The nomination of Hitler as chancellor of Germany in 30 January 1933 was quite an achievement that showed Hitler’s capabilities of being a smart, strong and mischievous politician.
Even though it is claimed that Hitler won the chancellorship “legally”, there is lots of evidence that pinpoint to his evil ways of acquiring the power. If during this time Hidenburg, Scheicher, and von Papen had not taken wrong political decisions, Hitler would have been prevented from becoming the chancellor of Germany. By the end of 1932 the Nazi party was facing serious problems. In any of the elections the highest percentage of the German vote that they had been able to achieve was 37 percent. Moreover, the party’s strength was getting weaker and weaker as well as the party running serious debts therefore easily Schleicher and von Papen could have used this tool to prevent the Nazis once for good from gaining power. In the Reichstag, also, the Nazis constituted the minority with three positions held by them (Spielvogel, pp.
67).
In addition, von Papen, naïve a chancellor as he was, should have never let go of the democratic government officials from their posts in Prussia, only to bring in the Nationalists, who would later ally with Hitler. This was a big mistake that should have been avoided, since Prussia was so large that made up 3/5 of Germany, and it showed the Nazis that it would be relatively easy for the consolidation of power later on. (Spielvogel, pp. 62).
Furthermore, von Papen should not have made any deals with Hitler to bring him in as the chancellor of Germany with the hope of creating a new government under the alliance of the Nazis and the conservatives. The appointment of Frick as minister of the interior, and Goring as minister of the interior in Prussia placed Hitler in a very prestigious position, since both of these Nazi office holders could easily control the national police forces; Prussia constituted 3/5 of Germany and the rest of the police forces would be controlled by Frick (Spielvogel, pp. 68). Von Papen should have not let the Nazis gain the main posts in the Reichstag, which would later help them gain the power easily through the capture of the police.
The Enabling Act of March 23, 1933 for eliminating the parliamentary system was another step towards reaching the national consolidation of power by the Nazis. This act enabled the government to adopt any laws without the approval of the Reichstag. In order for this act to be passed it was necessary that 2/3 of the votes were acquired which they easily got from the nationalists and the Center Party’s bloc (Spielvogel, pp. 72). The passage of this law confirmed the Nazi dictatorship.
If the Nazi had been prevented, the alternative outcome perhaps would have been the creation of a new presidential government under the ruling of either Schleicher or von Papen. However, this never happened because Hitler was a ruthless and clever politician that in one way or another he would have managed to make his dream come true: become the chancellor of Germany.