How Hitler Became Chancellor Flashcards
1
Q
What was the Wall Street Crash and how did it help Hitler become Chancellor in 1933?
A
- America’s economy plummeted. Germany forced to repay loans from America (ones to get rid of hyperinflation for WW1 and ToV).
- Caused many businesses to close down and unemployment rose - by 1932, unemployment had rose to over 6 million. This angered people, that Weimar Government were slow to help, many people in poverty (Great Depression, too) - so they turned to extremist parties, like the Nazis. Violence increased.
- By 1932, the Nazis had gained over 12 million votes.
2
Q
How did Hitler’s leadership skills help Hitler to become chancellor in 1933?
A
- He was a strong leader.
- He made people of Germany believe that he could solve the problems of Germany.
- This strong leadership appealed to many Germans as the Weimar Republic had been seen to be weak.
- Hitler was also a great public speaker, who identified with the German public.
3
Q
How did Nazi promises help Hitler to become Chancellor in 1933?
A
- Nazis made promises which appealed to every section of German society.
- They focused on things that the Germans were anxious about.
- They promised to:
- Ignore the Treaty of Versailles (ToV).
- Build up the army.
- Solve Germany’s economic problems (hyperinflation at the time - small value for money so many people were extremely poor).
- Make Germany a great country again.
- This helped to gain voted for the Nazis.
4
Q
How did Nazi Organisation help Hitler to become Chancellor in 1933?
A
- The Nazis were extremely organised.
- They raised lots of money for their election campaigns from rich businessmen, who had been impressed by their promises - meant that their campaigns were hugely impressive.
- They organised huge public meetings and went door to door to campaign for votes.
- They offered soup kitchens to the poor.
- The uniform/marches of SA also made German people believe that they were the ones who could bring law and order to Germany.
5
Q
How did Nazi Propaganda help Hitler to become Chancellor in 1933?
A
- Nazis used posters to spread their key messages.
- They had simple slogans and so were catchy.
- They showed that if the Nazis were in power, things would improve for the people of Germany.
- They also made speeches which were broadcasted on radios (radios were cheaply produced then so most people had them/there were public radios so everyone heard the speeches) and loudspeakers.
6
Q
How did Mass Rallies and Marches help Hitler to become Chancellor in 1933?
A
-They used Mass Rallies and Marches to give them the impression of discipline and order.
7
Q
How did the Fear of Communism help Hitler to become Chancellor in 1933?
A
- As support for extremist parties grew, many people feared that the Communists would take over Germany.
- German businessmen feared this the most. They therefore gave their support to the Nazis to try and limit the Communist threat.
8
Q
How did weak opposition help Hitler to become Chancellor in 1933?
A
- Opposition to the Nazis was weak and divided.
- The Nazis’ two main rivals, the Communist Party and the Social Democratic Party were bitter enemies.
- They were not prepared to work together to stop the Nazis.
9
Q
How did a political deal help Hitler to become Chancellor in 1933?
A
- In January 1933, Hitler was made Chancellor.
- He was made this because of a deal he add with another political party.
- The Nazis had a lot of support in the Reichstag, but still did not hold the majority they needed to control it.
- Other parties also wanted power but needed support of Nazis to do this.
- Von Papen (Leader of the Catholic Centre Party) believed he could use the Nazis to gain power for himself.
- He agreed to form a new government with the Hitler as Chancellor + Von Papen as Vice President. Papen believed he could control Hitler with help of Hindenburg, but he was later proved wrong when Hitler turned Germany into a dictatorship from a democracy from January 1933 to the end of 1934.
