How Hitler became Chancellor, 1932-1933

Question 1

What were the important political developments in 1932?

Answer 1

• April – Presidential election. Hitler came second to Hindenburg, who won 53 per cent of the vote to Hitler’s 36.8 per cent.
• May – Brüning resigned as Chancellor. Hindenburg appointed Franz Von Papen, a conservative, as his replacement.
• July – Reichstag elections. The Nazis became the largest party with 230 seats. Hitler demanded to be made Chancellor but Papen remained.
• November – Reichstag elections called by Von Papen to try to win a majority in parliament. The Nazis lost 34 seats but remained the largest party with 196 seats.
• December – Von Papen resigned. Hindenburg appointed Kurt Von Schleicher, an army general, as Chancellor. Von Schleicher tried to split the Nazis by asking a leading Nazi called Gregor Strasser to be his Vice Chancellor. Hitler forced Strasser to decline.

Question 2

What was the specific role played by Hindenburg and Von Papen in Hitler becoming Chancellor in 1933?

Answer 2

*January – Von Papen and Hindenburg turned to Hitler, appointing him as Chancellor with Von Papen as Vice Chancellor. They believed they could control Hitler and get him to do what they wanted.