2 Why was Hitler able to dominate Germany by 1934?

What did the Nazi Party stand for in the 1920s?

-          The Nazis appealed to a wide range of people, but especially the ‘working class'  which resulted in the part growing rapidly in the years of crisis 1919-1923.

-          The Nazis were extreme nationalists who were loyal to their country. They wanted racial purity, equality and state control of the economy.

-          Hitler wanted to nationalize large industries and businesses.

-          Hitler wanted the abolition of the Treaty of Versailles. When the Weimar politicians agreed to sign the Treaty of Versailles, he was angry with them and with it. He believed that the treaty would ruin Germany.

-          Hitler promised people that when he came to power he would abolish the terms of the Treaty.

-          Only 'true' Germans to be allowed to live in Germany. Hitler believed that the Aryans were the supreme race. Therefore, he considered all the other races inferior.

Why did the Nazis have little success before 1930?

1923 Munich Putsch

-          Hitler planned a coup in Munich on the 9th November 1923

-          Bringing SA, and allying with Ludendorff, they interrupted a gathering of important government personalities in a beer hall holding them to gun point

-          The next morning 3000 storm troopers marched through Munich however it failed with 17 Nazi’s being shot

-          Hitler realised he would have to use legal ways to reach power

-          He understood his weaknesses as undisciplined SA, or his lack of support from the people.

-          The Putsch brought him a national reputation while he was being put on trial

-          During his time in prison he wrote “Mein Kampf”

Economic prosperity

-          During 1924 to 1929 the Weimar economy was doing well

-          During the periods of “booms” the majority voted for mainstream parties

-          American loans help the country to rebuild, and the Nazi’s extremist views went against the public opinion

Why was Hitler able to become Chancellor by 1933?

-          On October 1929, the world’s economy was damaged by Wall Street Crash, share prices plummeted and this led to the Great Depression

-          US eventually recalled it loans from Germany

-          The world trade had dried up leaving 6million people unemployed in Germany

-          Brüning pursued a policy of austerity in Germany which meant that they would decrease public spending, increase taxes. In the short term this damaged Germany further however later on the policy started to pay off

-          This led to the rise of the Nazi’s due to the voting for extremist parties as the majority of the public were in times of desperation

-          In the German election of 1932 the Nazis became the biggest party in the Reichstag with 40% of the seats

-          The German President, Hindenburg, did not want to appoint Hitler as Chancellor and appointed Von Papen instead. However the Nazi members on the Reichstag were unwilling to co-operate so Von Papen was unable to govern effectively. Von Papen was followed by a succession of other Chancellors appointed via Article 48, all of whom were ineffective. Hindenburg was left with no other option but to appoint Hitler chancellor on 30th January 1933

How did Hitler consolidate his power in 1933–4?

-          The Reichstag Fire in 1933 witnessed a parliament building being burnt down, and Hitler shifted the blame onto the communist Van der Lubbe

-          The Reichstag decree was then implemented allowing anyone to be arrested with a reasons, which was used by the Nazi’s to arrest their political opponents

-          On March 1933 the Nazi’s got 44% of the votes but did not get a majority, with 288 seats

-          The Nazi’s then wiped out the remaining opponents

-          1933 the Enabling act passed giving Hitler full control for 4 years, and act was supported by 84% of the deputies. All trade unions were removed

-          Hitler makes an agreement with the Pope who sees him as someone who can destroy communism. This agreement allows Hitler to take over political power in Germany as long as he leaves the Catholic Church alone.

-          June 1934 the Night of the Long Knives occurred when Hitler ordered that all of the SA and Rohm are to be shot. Hitler believed that the SA were becoming to too powerful. Hitler sent out the message that he would be prepared to do anything

-          August Hindenburg dies and within an hour Hitler declared himself as President (Fuhrer), makes every army member swear an oath of allegiance.