2.4 How Hitler became Chancellor, 1932-1933
May 1932: Chancellor Bruning resigns: What did Bruning do to lose majority support in the Reichstag? Why did he do it?
1. He banned the SA and SS. -there were fears of civil war -he wanted to control the Nazis and calm unrest 2. He announced a plan to buy up land from the landowners and use it to house the unemployed.
These two measures united the right-wing groups against Bruning 3
1. The ban on the SA and SS enraged Hitler.Other political parties feared their paramilitary forces would also be banned. 2. The landowning class were furious about plans to buy up their land. 3. President Hindenburg, who was a landowning conservative, was furious.
The role of all three
All three underestimated Hitler. They believe they could bring Hitler and the Nazis into power and the control them. They were wrong.
MAY 1932: Von Papen becomes chancellor
As soon as Bruning resigned, Hindenburg made Von Papen chancellor. Von schleicher assumed he could control the Nazis. But for the first time ever, Hitler and the Nazi Party were part of the government of Germany.
APRIL 1932: Hindenburg stands for re-election again, DETAIL.
No candidate achieved 50% of the vote, so the election was repeated in April. Hitler campaigned furiously- he rented an aeroplane and went town to town delivering speeches. The SA paraded in support of the Nazis and disrupted communist rallies. Hidneburg was re-elected but the results were a blow to the communists and a boost to Hitler.
JULY 1932: What happened?
Reichstag elections
What was a key problem with Von Schleicher's plan? What did he suggest etc.?
They did not have a majority in the Reichstag. The moderate SPD had the majority. Von Schleicher persuaded Hidenburg that if the Nazis, with their hug public appeal, would support his coalition, it could govern without the Reichstag , using Presidential decrees.
The role of Von schleicher and Von Papen
They were right-wing conservatives who wanted to a strong government controlled by wealthy industrialists and landowners. By plotting to replace Bruning with the Cabinet of Barons, advising Hindenbrug to use the Germany army rather than the Reichstag to keep chancellors in power- they undermined the Weimar Republic.
What did von schleicher do?
Kurt Von Schleicher had been suggesting a new chancellor to Hindenburg. He had been organizing a coalition of right-wing supporters. He chose Franz Von Papen as the figurehead of this new coalition.
List the months of the key events.
MARCH 1932 APRIL 1932 MAY 1932 JULY 1932 NOVEMBER 1932 DECEMBER 1932 JANUARY 1933
What then happened?
Bruning had lost the support of the(most) Reichstag and the President. Without these he was unable to govern. He resigned.
Key things that happened in May 1932.
Chancellor Bruning resigns Von Schleicher suggests a new Chancellor Von Papen becomes Chancellor
DECEMBER 1932: Von schleicher becomes chancellor
Hindeburg was struggling to find a strong government bur still refused to make Hitler chancellor. Von Schleicher told Hindeburg that supoort for the Nazis was fading. So Hindenburg made Von Schleicher chancellor.
November 1932: Von Papen is sacked
Hindenburg detested Hitler and so refused to make him Chancellor. Instead Von Papen hung on to office and called another election. He hoped that Nazi party support would fall. They did - Nazi Party seats fell from 230 to 196, but they were still the largest party. His gamble had failed. Von schleicher abandoned Von Papen- he said that if Von Papen stayed in power, there would be a civil war. Therefore Hidenburg told his friend to resign.
The role of Hindeburg
Hindenburg never fully supported the idea of a republic. He was a monarchist who preferred the way the government was under the Kaiser. As a result, he was open to governing by decree which weakened the Reichstag.
What happened in March 1932?
Hindenburg stands for re-election
What happened in April 1932?
Hindenburg stands for re-election again.
MARCH 1932: Hindenburg stands for re-election. DETAIL
Hindenburg's term of office as President ended in 1932. By this time, he was 84 and increasingly frail, but he was persuaded to stand for election again. This was to keep the government as stable as possible. Campaigning was bitter and often violent.
JANUARY 1933: What happened?
Hitler becomes chancellor
What was wrong with Von Schleicher's plan? Why? What was it known as?
This was completely against the spirit of the Weimar Republic. The constitution intended that the chancellor should have the support of the majority of the Reichstag. In fact, it was so undemocractic that the government was known as the 'cabinet of Baron'
JANUARY 1933: Hitler becomes Chancellor: What solution did Hindenburg receive? WHY>
Von Papen also gave Hindenburg a solution : Make Hitler chancellor and Von Papen vice chancellor. This way Hindenburg and Von Papen thought they could make all the decisions by themselves and use Hitler as a figurehead. As a result, The ageing president agreed and Hitler was legally appointed Chancellor of the Weimar Republic.
NOVEMBER 1932: What happened?
Von Papen is sacked
JULY 1932: REICHSTAG ELECTION - VON PAPEN
Von Papen's government was in trouble from the start. The elections caused violence in the streets. When the results were announced, the NSDAP had won 230 seats in the Reichstag. The Nazi Party was now the majority party in the Rechstag. Hitler demanded that Von Papen was sacked and he was made Chancellor.
JANUARY 1933: Hitler becomes Chancellor: What did Von Schleicher ask for/want? DETAIL
Von Schleicher asked Hindenburg to suspend the constitution and make him head of a military dictatorship. He said that the Germany army would support him with armed force. Hindenburg refused.
DECEMBER 1932: What happened?
Von Schleicher becomes Chancellor.
JANUARY 1933: Hitler becomes Chancellor: What was wrong with Von Schleicher's chancellorship?
Von Schleicher's chancellorship had no political support: -With Hitler and the Nazis against him, he was unable to govern - No majority in the Reichstag - No support amongst the public
