How did Hitler become Chancellor in 1933?

Question 1

What were the events that led to Hitler become Chancellor in 1933?

Answer 1

1. His own actions
2. The Wall Street Crash
3. Weak Opposition
4. Fear of Communism
5. The Political Deal

Question 2

What were the four aspects of Hitler’s own actions that led to him being elected?

Answer 2

1. Leadership skills
2. Nazi promises
3. Organisation
4. Nazi Propaganda

Question 3

How did Hitler’s leadership skills lead to him being elected Chancellor?

Answer 3

1. He was a strong leader
   - he was able to make people believe that he alone could save Germany
   - He was a charismatic and powerful public speaker and seemed to identify with his audience and fill them with a sense of hope
   - Played a crucial role in the Nazi’s rise to power and come across as a string leader

Question 4

How did the Nazi Party’s organisation lead to Hitler being elected Chancellor?

Answer 4

1. They had money to fund campaigns and attracted huge donations from rich business men
2. Party members worked hard in local regions to spread Nazi message
3. People liked the SA and the fact they were prepared to stand up to the Communists. The uniforms and marches made them look capable of enforcing law and order-impressed voters.

Question 5

What promises did the Nazi Party make?

Answer 5

1. Solve Germany’s economic problems
2. Provide strong leadership
3. Ignore the Treaty of Versailles
4. Build up the army
5. Make Germany great again

Question 6

Why were the Nazi promises effective?

Answer 6

• They concentrated on issues that the German people were extremely unhappy about
• They were designed to appeal to everyone
• If a policy was unpopular, the Nazi Party would drop it
• They contained something for everyone which explains the huge amount of support

Question 7

How did the Nazi’s propaganda lead to Hitler being elected in 1933?

Answer 7

1. They used the latest technology to spread their message
2. Used it present the Nazi Party as the solution to Germany’s problems
3. Mass rallies helped them to win support
4. Music, lighting and marches gave the impression of discipline and order at time of chaos
5. Posters with simple and memorable slogans to spread key ideas

Question 8

Who was in charge of the Nazi Party’s propaganda campaign?

Answer 8

Josef Goebbels.

Question 9

How did weak opposition lead to Hitler being elected in 1933?

Answer 9

• Opposition to the Nazi Party was weak and divided
• The 2 main rivals were bitter enemies
• People lost trust in the parties who had ruled Germany during the GD as they did not solve the crisis
• They did not offer strong, effective leadership`

Question 10

What were the two main rivals to the Nazi Party?

Answer 10

The Social Democratic Party and the Communist Party

Question 11

How did the fear of communism lead to the election of Hitler in 1933?

Answer 11

1930-32: increase in support for communism

• The German Communist Party was the largest in Europe and had support from the working class but business owners and farmers feared them
• The Nazis made themselves seem to be the only ones who could stop communism so people voted for them to stop Communists gaining power

Question 12

Why did the German public fear communism?

Answer 12

Because of the French Revolution.