No one would ever have thought that Hitler as a young man would ever become the brilliant superman of his time.
He didn't seem to possess any outstanding talent, quality, or ability in school and his grades constantly fell short. Hitler didn't even come from a rich background, sprout from a famous name, or work for a famous. So how then, might you ask, was Hitler able to become Chancellor?Long term bitterness from the treaty of Versailles, weaknesses in the constitution, the financial support of rich industrialists, propaganda, the economic depression, attacks on other parties, and his promises as well as his charismatic qualities, are just some of the reasons Hitler came to power. Starting as early as June 22, 1919, Hitler began to pave his way towards the premier role of Chancellor. The Treaty of Versailles signed in 1919 played a crucial part in determining the results of the election.The more unsatisfied the German people got with their government, the easier it was for them to embrace a new leader who could promise them a brighter future.
The Germans didn't want to be blamed for the war; they didn't want to pay reparations, to be demilitarized or lose territory. It seemed as if it was easier to believe they had been backstabbed by their government than to accept the fact that there was no way they could've won the war. Hyperinflation arose because the government didn't have enough money for the reparations.To make matters worse, people began to display a strong stance of passive resistance, making Germany poorer since they were losing all that the Ruhr would have produced. The Germans lost their lifesavings and wages (mostly Middelstand), making the country even angrier and more vulnerable, creating underlying bitterness among the people of Germany in which Hitler's viciousness and expansionism appealed.
The Wall Street Crash followed soon after which provoked the Great Depression worldwide. The US called for their loans back (Dawes Plan) at a time Germany was still recovering from their last depression.As a result, millions of people lost their jobs, businesses closed, young people were unable to get jobs, farmer's prices dropped, and unemployment benefits were cut. The German economy failed the German people once again, a point Hitler used against the Weimar Government emphasizing just how incompetent and ignorant they had been all along. People felt that the government failed to take appropriate action.
They felt that the government should have printed and spent more money on providing relief for the unemployed, regardless of how much they feared inflation.As a result of this decision, taxes were raised, and unemployment benefits were cut, making the government even more unpopular. As people lost faith in the government it became easier for them to turn to extremist parties like the Nazis who seemed to offer a solution, explanation and promise to every problem. Every sector of the German society seemed to hear something they wanted to hear. Workers were promised jobs, employers promised restored profits, farmers higher prices, shop keepers protection against competition, and lots more.
During the crisis, people wanted someone to blame and looked to extreme solutions - Hitler offered both, and Nazi success in the elections grew. Still in 1919, the Sparticists attempted a staged revolution against the government. In fear, Freikorps (who were formed and approved by the president of the government, Ebert), were sent out, killing thousands of Sparticists and communist supporters on the streets of Berlin. While violent bloodshed occurred throughout Berlin, the government fled to Weimar to hold all their meetings because they felt that the capital was hazardous.
The government grew even more disliked because people felt that Ebert had lost control over the situation after handing the government to the Freikorps. In 1923 (The Munich Putsch), the Nazi Party attempted a revolution; it showed that the Nazi Party took action to solve their problems and pursue ideas, which they later boasted about in coming speeches. It launched the Nazi's into the National Scene and made Hitler's name famous. The Nazis were a very organized bunch and each member was well trained and motivated.Each member was a strong captivating speaker and brought to the party the same obedience and cooperation skills they had needed in the trenches. If they found an idea was losing popularity they would change it to fit the people's demands.
They realized it didn't matter what you promised as long as the people trusted you. And if all else failed they promised the same promise everyone wanted to hear - "to make Germany great again. " Another reason that led to the Nazi's becoming a leading party and Hitler becoming Chancellor were the present flaws in the Weimar Constitution.Proportional Representation allowed small groups like the Nazis to gain seats, making it virtually impossible to establish a majority in the Reichstag, leading to frequent changes in the government. The President had the right to make decisions in an emergency (Article 48) which Hidenburg took advantage of many times leading to Hitler's power. Also, many government officials especially judges, were rightwing and wanted to destroy the government, resulting in Hitler going to prison for only 9 months.
Hitler was a strong leader that the German people wanted and needed.Posters and rallies portrayed him as superman, and campaigns were focused around his personality and skills. He published Mein Kampf while imprisoned which became the number one top-selling book available for everyone's viewing, displaying his beliefs and visions for the future. He flew from place to place by a plane to speak to as many people as possible and was broadcasted on radios that were so cheap people could only tune into what Hitler had to say. He also mentioned how the Nazis took in the poor and fed them, making people feel safe and trusting them.
Hitler was a brilliant speaker, a headstrong man who believed that God sent him to become the dictator of Germany and ruler of the world. His belief in himself persuaded the German people to believe in him. In November 1932, the Nazis failed yet again to retrieve the majority of seats in the Reichstag, however this time he was rescued by Hidenburg. Franz von Papen was chancellor, but could not get enough support in the Reichstag.
Both Hidenburg and Von Papen were ordered to govern by emergency decree under Article 48, so they offered Hitler the post of vice-Chancellor if he promised to support them.However, Hitler refused and demanded he be named Chancellor. On Jan. 30 1933, Hidenburg reluctantly announced Hitler as chancellor. Each event and aspect in my opinion is equally important in Hitler's quest to power. Through the course of time, sudden twists of events, certain supporters, outstanding plans, and benefiting flaws, all gave way to Hitler's unpredictable role of Chancellor.
Germany began to trust the consistent one-man leader that Hitler himself truly believed he was. And in the end, he didn't manage to take the power as hoped, -- he was given it.
