Appointment of Hitler as Chancellor Flashcards
When was Hitler appointed as Chancellor?
30 Jan 1933 when he was summoned to the office of Hindenburg to lead a govt of national concentration of which Hitler was the Chancellor.
What did Von Papen and Hindenburg think of Hitler’s Chancellorship?
Hitler’s inexperience meant that he could easily be manipulated by the more experienced politicians in his cabinet. They were wrong.
What did Alan Bullock say about Hitler?
Hitler came to power “as part of a shoddy political deal with the ‘Old Gang’ whom he had been attacking for months past. Hitler did not seize power; he was jobbed into office by a backstairs intrigue”.
For how long was Bruning’s coalition govt in power for?
March 1930 to May 1932.
Who influenced the appointment of Bruning?
Schleicher. he could only remain in office or pass any new laws with Hindenburg’s and Schleicher’s support. Schleicher was determined to establish a more authoritarian style of govt in Germany and his first attempt to achieve this was during Bruning’s govt.
What name was Bruning given?
‘The Hunger Chancellor’ after he introduced a policy which aimes to reduce state expenditure by cutting welfare benefits, reducing a number of civil servants and cutting wages.
When did unemployment exceed 6 million?
Feb 1932. as unemployment increased, so did electoral support for the Nazis and Communists and the level of street violence increased.
What was Schleicher concerned about in terms of the SA?
the ban would provoke a Nazi uprising and he came to the conclusion that after the presidential election no govt could rule without the support of the Nazi Party.
Why did Bruning resign?
Hindenburg refused to sign a presidential decree that Bruning had submitted. he was replaced by von Papen, with Schleicher as Defence Minister.
What was Papen’s government like?
Papen attempted to construct his govt on a non party political basis in an attemp to establish a government of national concentration. the DNVP was the only party that supported this coalition which was rewarded with two posts in the cabinet. ‘cabinet of barons’ = cabinet positions filled by men who were not members of the Reichstag. came from landowning and industrial elite. Papen ruled by decree. believed that greatest threat to Germany was communism. looked down on Nazis. lifted ban on SA in June 1932.
July 1932 election
one term of the agreement between Hitler and Schleicher was that there was to be a new election. DVP (1.2%) and DDP (1.0%) experienced a loss of support and were reduced to the ranks of fringe parties. DNVP (5.9%) suffered heavy losses as the Nazis (37.3%) established themselves as the main party of the right. Nazis didn’t succeed in winning Catholic voters away from the Centre Party (12.4%). Hitler in a stronger position. Papen invited Hitler to join his govt but he refused. only participate in the govt if he was Chancellor. Papen’s position had weakened and was forced to ask Hindenburg to dissolve the Reichstag and call a new election in November.
Papen’s destruction of democratic govt in Prussia.
one of most serious incidents of political violence occurred in the Altona suburb of Hamburg on 17 July. scene of a large SA march, which was confronted by several hundred communists. police panicked and opened fire on communists, killing 18 and injuring over 100. Papen blamed SPD led govt of Prussia for breakdown of law and order. declared a state of emergency in Prussia, used the army to impose order in Berlin and appointed himself Reich Commissioner. purged civil service in Prussia of SPD.
November 1932 election
loss of support for Nazis (33.1%). lost two million votes and 34 seats in Reichstag. peaked in July. middle-class voters had been alienated by Hitler’s attacks on Papen and by his refusal to join a coalition govt. middle-class voters returned to DVP (1.9%) and DNVP (8.8%). Nazis supported communist-led transport strike in Berlin during the election campaign also damaged the party in the eyes of middle-class voters. 3 election campaigns in the space of eight months exhausted Nazi funds and Hitler appeared to have lost his chance to take power by legal means.
End of Papen’s govt.
biggest loser in November 1932 election was Papen. govt faced a hostile Reichstag majority and he was beginning to lose credibility in eyes of army. considered banning Nazis and communists and using the army to enforce an authoritarian style of govt. bypass the Reichstag altogether. Schleicher informed Papen that the army would not support him so he resigned.
Hindenburg’s inner circle
a small group of men who made up of Hindenburg’s inner circle of advisers were involved in key decisions. advised Hindenburg on the appointment of Hitler as Chancellor and signing of a presidential decree. Schleicher was among this group since 1926 had been political head of the army. head of Ministerial Office in 1929 whose function it was to represent the army in its dealings with the govt. Schl instrumental in persuading Hindenburg to withdraw his support for Bruning and appoint Papen. Schl involved in the downfall of Papen. Schl worked for the restoration of authoritarian rule. aimed for an alliance between the forces of old conservatism. Hindenburg’s son and Meissner were part of this circle and also reassured Hindenburg on Hitler’s Chancellorship.
