How was Hitler able to become the leader of Germany?

Events beyond Hitlers control: Weakness of Weimar govt, economic depression Hitlers abilities: Leadership skills, Nazi organisation

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+ In a Nutshell
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Prior to Hitlers appointment as the Chancellor of Germany, the ruling Weimar Government was unpopular among the Germans. The Weimar Government was blamed for its inability to solve many of the post-war problems Germany inherited from its defeat in World War I. The Weimar Government was also blamed for its role in the surrender in World War I and the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. Hitler was able to gain support by promising to overturn the Treaty of Versailles and regain Germanys pride. Hitler and his Nazi Party were able to gain total7/15/12

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Opposed by the right

Events beyond Hitlers control: Weakness of Weimar govt, economic depression

Political deals made with German leaders

Economic Depression

Opposed by the left

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Opposed by the right

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The right comprised mainly of the German Army which objected to the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. This group claimed the army had been stabbed in the back and could have continued fighting. Deeply resentful, they were determined to obstruct the work of the Weimar Government.

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Opposed by the left

The left refers to the Communists. One of the Communist groups was known as the Spartacists, a group which wanted to set up a government similar to the one in the Soviet Union. Frequent uprisings by the Spartacists occurred between 1918 and 1919. The Weimar government and German public was thus very fearful about the possibility of a Communist takeover. A strong leader and government could prevent such a takeover. 7/15/12

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Economic Depression
n The

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Weimar Government was heavily in debt due to the payment of war reparations. problems were worsened by the hyper-inflation caused by the overprinting of money which the government used to pay off its debts. Germans lost their savings overnight and they blamed the government.

n Germanys

n Many

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Economic Depression
n Germanys

77

economic recovery relied on

US loans.
n This

made Germany vulnerable as it depended on Americas ability to keep lending. the Great Depression hit and America was badly affected, the loans from America to Germany dried up. suffered as a result of this and was on the verge of collapse. 7/15/12

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n Germany

+ Political
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deals made with German Leaders

The Nazis won less than three per cent of the votes in the 1928 Elections. By 1930, they had won 37.3 per cent, making them the party with the most seats in the Reichstag.

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+ Political
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deals made with German Leaders

In 1932, President von Hindenburg was pressurised to agree to Hitlers demand for chancellorship. He was persuaded by Franz von Papen who thought that the conservatives could channel their support for Hitler into support for the policies of the cabinet. Furthermore, it was hoped that Hitler could help the government to control the Communists. On 30 January 1933, Hitler was appointed Chancellor. Within months, he ended Weimar Germany and started the Third Reich.
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Hitlers abilities: Leadership skills, Nazi organisation

Excellent speaker and charismatic leader Exploited fear of Communism to win support

Reorganised the Nazi Party

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+ Excellent
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speaker and charismatic leader

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Hitler had the natural ability to capture peoples attention with his public speaking skills. He was able to inspire confidence and belief among Germans that he could be the one to lead Germany out of its problems. Under Hitlers leadership, the National Socialist German Workers Party (NSDAP) or Nazi Party grew For his role in the Munich Beer Hall Putsch, he was arrested. However, his stirring speech made the judges sympathetic towards him and he received a light sentence of a five-year jail sentence. He was released on parole after only nine months.
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Reorganised the Nazi Party

jail term proved to be a turning point. convinced Hitler that legal means and not force alone would help him gain power. release, he concentrated his efforts on reorganising the Nazi Party. the changes made was the setting up of branches in different parts of Germany as well as the creation of a youth movement.
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n The n It

n Upon

n Among

Reorganised the Nazi Party

Initially, the Nazi Party had very little support from the people.
n n

The working class supported either the Social Democratic Party or the Communists. The years 19241929 saw general economic prosperity and political stability. Thus, the people did not see the need to vote out the Weimar Government. At the time, most Germans were not interested in Nazi calls to keep Jews out of German political life nor in the Nazi plan to invade other countries. The people also did not like the way the Nazis beat up their opponents to intimidate them.

After the Great Depression in 1929, many Germans suffered. The Weimar Governments popularity dipped even further. With improved organisation, Hitler was able to gain much popularity and support.
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Exploited fear of Communism to win The Nazi Party the Communists became popular support and times after the Great Depression. during the difficult
Many Germans believed that the Weimar Government had failed them and were open to trying out alternative forms of government. Hitler made use of propaganda to spread fear about the aims of Communism. He convinced people that the Nazi Party was the only party capable of providing order and stopping the Communists. Many rich industrialists supported the Nazis as they wanted an anti-Communist government. With strong financial support, Hitler was able 7/15/12 a to build