Hitler’s Rise To Power

Question 1

In what year did the Wall Street Crash occur?

Answer 1

1929 (29 October “Black Tuesday”)

Question 2

What effect did the Wall Street Crash have on Germany?

Answer 2

The economy was badly affected by:
- America recalled its loans
- unemployment increased

Question 3

At its height, how many people were unemployed in Germany during the Great Depression?

Answer 3

6 million

Question 4

What slogan did the Nazis use during the Great Depression to win voters?

Answer 4

Work and bread

Question 5

What were some effective methods of propaganda used by the Nazis?

Answer 5

• rallies
• c. 120 Nazi-run newspapers
• Hitler’s speeches and charisma
• new technology: radio, film (Leni Riefenstahl)
• posters

Question 6

What was president Hindenburg increasingly reliant upon during the Great Depression in order to pass legislation?

Answer 6

Article 48

Question 7

What role did the SA play in the early 1930s?

Answer 7

• provided an example of order and disciple, contrasting with the chaos of the Weimar government
• intimidation and assault of political enemies, e.g. communists

Question 8

How did the Weimar government make matters worse after 1929?

Answer 8

They refused to print more money but raised taxes and cut wages instead. This increased people’s suffering.

Violence began to break out again as people got desperate. The Weimar
Government failed to deal with it.

Question 9

What did Hitler promise Germans?

Answer 9

Hitler made promises that appealed to people.

He promised to get rid of the Treaty of Versailles (which made Germany look weak), solve Germany’s problems and provide jobs. (See 25 Point Programme and Bamberg Conference)

Question 10

How did the Nazis do in elections after 1929?

Answer 10

During the 1930s (the Great Depression years) the Nazi votes rose.

Question 11

How many seats did the Nazis get in 1928?

Answer 11

12

Question 12

How many seats did the Nazis get in 1930?

Answer 12

107

Question 13

How many seats did the Nazis get in July 1932?

Answer 13

230 seats (the Nazis were the largest political party, 37%, but they did not have a majority in the Reichstag)

Question 14

How many seats did the Nazis get in November 1932?

Answer 14

196 seats (The SA’s campaign of violence began to have a negative impact and the vote reduced to 33%).

Question 15

When did Hitler become Chancellor of Germany?

Answer 15

30 January 1933

Question 16

Who did President Hindenburg first appoint as Chancellor after Brüning’s resignation?

Answer 16

Von Papen

Question 17

Who did Hindenburg appoint as Chancellor after Von Papen’s forced resignation?

Answer 17

Von Schleicher

Question 18

Why was Von Papen forced to resign in 1932?

Answer 18

Both elections failed to secure a majority for Papen to pass laws as the Nazis kept winning more seats. Hindenburg hated Hitler and refused to give him Chancellorship.

Question 19

Why was Von Schleicher fired?

Answer 19

He also couldn’t secure a majority in the Reichstag and asked Hindenburg to appoint him as a military dictator.

Question 20

What agreement was eventually reached between Hindenburg and Von Papen?

Answer 20

Von Papen wouldn’t be Vice Chancellor while Hitler would be appointed Chancellor of Germany in 1933.