Hitlers Rise to Power

IntroIn 1933 Field marshal Hindenburg, the president of Germany, established a cabinet with Adolf Hitler as chancellor and other Nazis and nationalists in positions of power. This followed after von Scheichers government failed to conciliate centre and left political interests.Hitler's rise to power was a consequence of a number of contributing factors, including resentment at the loss of World War One, the weaknesses in the Weimar republic exploited by using propaganda, the trepidation of the SA, Hitler’s storm troopers, his charismatic and passionate oratory skills that captivated the German nation and the poor state of the German economy which increased support for the Nazi party. Historians have different opinions on Hitler’s rise to power.Intentionalism suggests that it was Hitler as an individual and that his charisma and oratory skills combined with ideology and his plans for racial purity for Germany were the main contributing factors in his rise to power.

However Structuralism suggests, that in a country already geared politically to right, the incredibly poor state of the German economy increased the number of people who voted for the extremist Nazi party and that Hitler was merely the face of the party (S J Lee 1998).MainThe humiliation of the German defeat in World War One and the Impact of the Treaty of Versailles affected Hitler’s rise to power. Germany was heavily persecuted by the treaty loosing around 13 per cent of its territory and all of its colonies. Germany were made to accept full responsibility for World War One and because of this made to pay considerable reparations to their western allies, to pay for the damage caused during the war, of which the amount was not yet decided.

Germany’s army and navy were also cut in size and they were subsequently prohibited from having an air force.The treaty had a negative effect on Germany, as a country they were humiliated. The disgrace that was imposed on Germany left the German people with a strong sense of nationalism, which went in Hitler favour Germany geared to right???? Pan Germanism wanted to unite all German speaking people into a region that would be known as greater Germany. In 1919 Hitler joined the DAP (German workers party), alongside the current leader of the DAP, Antron Drexler, Hitler in 1020 took over the propaganda work and convinced Drexler to change the Party’s name to NSDAP.In 1921 Hitler became head of the NSDAP, he composed a programme consisting of twenty five points, these points outlined not only who could be classed as a German citizen and who was not but also what was expected of German citizens as functioning members of the nation.

Jews for example, who were one of many scapegoats for the loss of World War One, were not considered a member of the German nation. The 25 points was made up of right wing, nationalist views.The German people, viewed these points positively, they seemed to be acting for the best interests of German people and Nazi ideology Hitler was a very charismatic man, who had a real talent for engaging the German people with his oratory skills. It was these oratory skills that impressed the current leader of the DAP, Antron Drexler, and in 1920 Hitler took over the party’s propaganda work even convincing Drexler to change the Party’s name to NSDAP. The propaganda circulated by Hitler did gain valuable support from the German people.Personal and political views propaganda The loss of the war left Germany in an economic crisis and in 1923 began printing more money to support passive resistance to French and Belgians occupying the Ruhr.

Combined with Germanys already deprived economy this created hyperinflation, bank notes worthless. The middle classes and those living on fixed incomes were hit hard by hyperinflation. This time of economic crisis keep the strict impositions of the treaty of Versailles fresh in the German peoples mind, this encouraged German nationalism.By 1926 Germany had recovered well from its economic problems but was hit again when the American stock market crashed in 1929. These were contributing factors in the collapse of the Weimar republic.

In order to pay the reparations Germany simply printed more money, this caused hyperinflation. Money in Germany was worth nothing. The German people were unemployed and poor. Hitler offered them food and employment, in turn the German people voted for Hitler and his nationalist policies. Problems with Weimar Republic Formation of Weimar Republic and its constitutional weakness'The Weimar constitution circulated in 1919, specifically Article 48 gave the president, Ebert, power to take any necessary measures to restore public order and security in Germany. This article had no safe guard in place to prevent an authoritarian rule.

It was also decided that the Reichstag, elected by Proportional representation, would make decisions on matters of defence, security and foreign policy. Proportional representation gives ??? This constitution was used frequently. When Hitler chancellor, took advantage of these emergency powers it was not unusual, it aided his rise to power as he was able to control Germany.In 1930 when Bruning called for a general election, the Nazi party gained 12 seats making them the second largest political party.

From 1930 onwards, when Bruning called for Reichstag general elections public favour began to grow toward NSDAP. By 1930 the party had 107 seats, in 1932 they had 230 and by 1933 with 288 seats the Nazi party held the majority. Along with the collapse of the Weimar republic…. Coalition Germany authoritarian by end of Weimar Conclusion Bibliography S J Lee (1998) Hitler and Nazi Germany. Rouhedge.