Hitler Rise to Power

Weakness of Weimar

- New constitution was very democratic and used PR which produced coalition governments which were often short lived.

- Many feared the Weimar Republic was not strong enough to tackle the growing threat of Communism.

- The right wing & elite were against the Weimar Republic and wanted to return to the "old" Germany with strong leadership.

- Article 48 gave the president emergency powers to bypass the Reichstag and protect democracy.

- This all undermined the Weimar Republic from the very beginning and faith was soon lost.

Economic Issues

- Germany was over reliant on American loans untill the Wall Street Crash in October 1929, leading to a world wide depression and America reclaiming it's loans.

- Unemployment reached 6 million.

- The government wanted to avoid another hyperinflation so done very little to help, and people were desperate.

- AJP Taylor "It was the great depression that put the wind in Hitlers sails."

Split In Opposition

- The SPD (social democrats) and KPD (communists) were the main opposition,

- Both were left wing so did not co-operate.

- The KPD's hatred for the SPD prevented them uniting against Hitler and the Nazis.

Hitler's Leadership

- Was seen as a strong/charismatic leader - offering people what they wanted (a strong leader who would solve their problems)

- He presented himself as a force of stability, who would fight against the political, economic and cultural chaos of Germany.

- He used the structure of the Nazi party to ensure he was aware of what people needed and incorporated this into his speaches.

- Otto Strasser "His words went like an arrow to their target."

Nazi Party Strengths

- They promised "work and bread" - simple answers to complex problems.
 

- Propeganda.

- National Socialist German Workers Party - includes everyone, all things to all people.

- Anti communist appeal to those who were in fear of communism.