Appointment of Hitler as Chancellor Flashcards
1
Q
Summarise the process of the appointment of Hitler
A
- Hitler won enough votes in 1932 elections to be the largest party in the Reich, but Hitler was not carried into power on a wave of popular support.
-> they did not have an absolute majority, a large number of German voters supported other parties. - Appointment involved negotiations and secret deals between many key German political figures, including Hindenburg and his close circle of advisers.
- Alan Bullock -> was ‘jobbed into office by backstairs intrigue’.
2
Q
Explain the election of Bruning’s government in March 1932
A
- in power from March 1930 - May 1932 despite not having majority support in the Reich.
- appointment by Hindenburg was heavily influenced by Schleicher and could only pass any new laws unless with Hindenburg’s and Schleicher’s approval.
3
Q
who was Kurt von Schleicher
A
- was the political head of the army.
- was the key power broker in Weimar politics.
- determined to establish a more authoritarian style of government.
4
Q
What was Bruning’s economic policy and what was its impact
A
- priority was to reduce state expenditure by cutting welfare benefits, reducing the number of civil servants and cutting wages.
-> therefore, known as the Hunger Chancellor. - far from improving the economic situation, these measures contributed to the deepening of the Depression.
-> By Feb 1932, unemployment exceeded 6 million for the first time. - as unemployment increased, so too did electoral support for the Nazi party and the Communist Party and level of street violence rose.
- by spring 1932 -> growing alarm among the middle and upper classes that Germany was descending into chaos and communist revolution was possible.
5
Q
What was Bruning’s way of dealing with the street violence as a result of growing unemployment and the economic crisis and what was the impact
A
- Bruning imposed a ban on the SA in April 1932.
- however the political situation continued deteriorating and Schleicher withdrew support.
- Schleicher was concerned that the ban on the SA would provoke a Nazi uprising -> also thought that no government could rule without the support of the Nazis.
- In talks with Schleicher, Hitler refused to join a coalition unless he was appointed chancellor, something Schleicher was unwilling to concede.
-> However Hitler agreed not to oppose a new government, on condition there would be a new Reich election and that the ban on the SA was lifted. - When Hindenburg, acting on Schleicher’s advice, refused to sign a presidential decree Bruning had submitted, Bruning had no choice but to resign.
6
Q
What was the background behind Papen’s government (cabinet of barons)
A
- to establish a ‘government of national concentration’, he constructed his government on a non-earth political basis.
- most cabinet positions were filled by men who were not members of the Reichstag, most of whom came from the landowning and industrial elite, hence the nickname ‘cabinet of barons’.
- Paper believed that the greatest threat to Germany was a communist revolution and that Weimar democracy had allowed this threat to grow.
6
Q
What was the background behind Papen’s government (cabinet of barons)
A
- to establish a ‘government of national concentration’, he constructed his government on a non-earth political basis.
- most cabinet positions were filled by men who were not members of the Reichstag, most of whom came from the landowning and industrial elite, hence the nickname ‘cabinet of barons’.
- Paper believed that the greatest threat to Germany was a communist revolution and that Weimar democracy had allowed this threat to grow.
- sympathised with Hitler’s views and saw Nazis as useful allies in quest to establish a government of ‘national concentration’.
7
Q
what was the background behind the political crisis in Prussia in July 1932
A
- In June 1932, Papen lifted the ban on the SA and imposed curbs on the left-wing press.
-> resulted in a new wave of street violence, esp during the Reich election campaign of July 1932.
-> gave Papen the excuse to impose authoritarian rule in the largest state, Prussia.
8
Q
Describe the political crisis of Prussia in July 1932
A
- in Hamburg 17 July, there was a large SA march in a mainly working-class district in which the KPD had a strong following. the SA march was confronted by several hundred communists.
- police opened fire, killing 18 and injuring over 100.
- although deaths were caused by police violence, Papen blamed the SPD-led state government of Prussia for the law and order breakdown.
- declared a state of emergency in Prussia and used the army to impose order in Berlin, appointed himself the Reich commissioner in charge of Prussia.
- SPD did not try to organise resistance to this blatant assault on democracy.
9
Q
Explain the end of Papen’s government
A
- the biggest loser in the November 1932 election was Papen even though he was not a candidate.
- Government faced a hostile reich majority and was beginning to lose credibility in the eyes of the army.
- considered banning the nazis and the communists and using the army to enforce an authoritarian style of government, bypassing the Reich altogether.
-> however when Schleicher informed Papen that the army would not support him, he had no alternative but to resign.
10
Q
who was Hindenburg’s inner circle
A
- it was this group which advised Hindenburg on the appointment of the chancellors and the signing of presidential decrees:
- Kurt von Schleicher was the main man
- Oskar von Hindenburg
- Dr Otto Meissner
11
Q
what was Schleicher’s role within Hindenburg’s inner circle
A
- was instrumental in persuading Hindenburg to withdraw support from Bruning in May 1932 and appointing Papen in his place.
- Nov 1932, was deeply involved in the downfall of Papen, who proved to be more independent-minded for his liking.
- was addicted to backstairs intrigue.
- worked for restoration of authoritarian rule but recognised it would not be achieved with force.
- aimed for alliance between old conservatism and the Nazis whose popular support would legitimise an authoritarian gov that would be controlled by old conservatives.
12
Q
who was Oskar von Hindenburg
A
- son of the president and had close links with Schleicher.
- controlled access to the president and his opinions were highly valued by his father.
13
Q
Who was Dr Otto Meissner
A
- civil servant who ran the President’s office and acted as a key go-between in negotiations between Hitler and Hindenburg.
14
Q
How did Hindenburg view Hitler and the Nazis initially
A
- viewed them with disdain and viewed the party as undisciplined.
- reluctant to concede with Hitler’s demand to be made chancellor without any checks on his freedom of action.
- after the fall of Papen’s government, however, Hindenburg was running out of options.
15
Q
Explain the background of Schleicher’s government Dec 1932 - Jan 1933
A
- After Papen’s fall, Schleicher persuaded Hindenburg to appoint him as chancellor -> reluctant decision as he preferred to exercise influence behind the scenes.
- task of constructing stable gov was difficult as he alienated Papen and lost Hindenburg’s trust because of the way he conspired against him.
-> believed best chance of success was to persuade Nazis to join a coalition led by him.
16
Q
What were the key features of the July 1932 election
A
- one of the terms of agreement between Hitler and Schleicher was a new Reich election was to be held.
- nazis succeder in attracting large number of middle-class voters and unemployed.
- most moderate parties, except the Centre, suffered losses as political life became more polarised.
- Hitler now in a stronger position to deal with Papen and Schleicher.
-> free to break agreement with Schleicher and attack Papen’s gov.
-> Nazis joined with other parties to debate a vote of no confidence in Papen’s gov, which was passed by a massive majority of 512 votes to 42. - Papen’s position weakened and forced to ask Hindenburg to dissolve the Reich and call a new election in Nov.
17
Q
How did Schleicher try to persuade the Nazis to join a coalition government led by him
A
- Nazis suffered a setback in Nov 1932 election.
- were bankrupt.
- elements within the party start criticising Hitler for refusing to join a coalition after several invitations.
-> gave impression that Hitler overplayed his hand and his bargaining position weakened. - Schleicher believed he could pressure Hitler by playing on these divisions.
- opened negotiations with organisation leader Gregor Strasser about joining his gov.
-> Hitler moved quickly to get rid of Strasser and reassert control. - plan to win Nazi support failed.
18
Q
How did Schleicher change his policy in order to achieve his goal of an authoritarian gov after failing to win the support of the Nazis and what was its impact
A
- believed a progressive social policy can win support from trade unions and through them, gain support in the Reich.
- with economy starting to improve, cancelled cuts in wages and benefits Made by Papen, considered large-scale job creation scheme as well.
- this was too much for industrialists and landowners to accept and failed to attract union support.
- Schleicher tries to ask Hindenburg to suspend the constitution and give him dictatorial powers, but Hindenburg refused and Schleicher resigns.
19
Q
Explain the negotiations between Papen and Hitler on forming a new coalition gov
A
- Hitler still insists on being chancellor, but is now prepared to consider a coalition.
- Alfred Hugenberg, DNVP leader, is prepared to support a Nazi-led coalition.
- talks between hitler, papen and Hindenburg’s inner circle (minus Schleicher) led to a deal in which Hitler would form a coalition with himself as chancellor.
- Hindenburg’s doubts were eliminated when Papen and Oskar von Hindenburg assure him that Hitler would not freely rule as he wished.
- Both Papen and Hindenburg believed Hitler, who was poorly educated and inexperienced in gov, would be easy to control.
