Section 2.3 - Hitler's legal path to power Flashcards
1
Q
Parliamentary breakdown in 1930
A
Disagreement between moderates - The 4 party coalition of 3 non-socialist parties and the SPD broke down because the SPD refused to accept the reduction in working class benefits, while the other 3 wanted it due to the economic stress. The coalition broke down and extreme parties were left with an advantage
1930 election results
- Nazis and KPD increased their seats massively while moderates lost ground, meaning a moderate coalition could not be formed
2
Q
Presidential government
A
- As no parties in the Reichstag could become a coalition that ran things effectively, Hindenburg had to employ article 48 to rule himself without the Reichstag
- His advisers were influential conservative right wingers including Kurt Von Schleicher
- Chancellor and his ministers had to run the country while seeking approval from Hindenburg over anything
3
Q
Heinrich Bruning’s appointment as Chancellor
A
1930
- under strong advisement from Schleicher, Bruning was a member of the centre party
- Had served in WW1 so Hindenburg was instantly reliant and trusting
- Was a conservative monarchist
- Believed that Bruning’s background in economics and finance could help tackle the unemployment problem
- The Reichstag would not oppose Bruning and cause trouble
4
Q
Bruning as Chancellor
A
- Cut all costs of government spending: ranging from unemployment benefits to disabled war veterans’ pensions
- However some costs were not cut, that of army spending and farmers’ subsidies for Junkers - both of which were important to Hindenburg and his advisers
- Reparations payments were suspended in 1931 and halted entirely in 1932
- By 1932 none of his policies were succeeding
5
Q
Why did Bruning lose office?
A
30th May 1932
- Failure of Bruning’s policies
- Nazi and Communist support was still increasing and street violence was increasingly more common, which led to rising fear of a Communist takeover
- Hindenburg and Bruning fell out when the chancellor failed to keep him securely in office without an election in 1932. He was challenged by Hitler who did unexpectedly well, requiring a second vote, as well as Hindenburg not securing the right wing vote but being kept in office by the democrats and socialists he hated
- Bruning also considered buying up Junker land so he could place the working class on it, to the outrage of the upper class and junkers who then advised Hindenburg to get rid of him
6
Q
Von Papen’s election as Chancellor
A
- 1st June 1932, Hard line right winger who had little experience of government
- Came under Schleicher’s plan of Germany now becoming a dictatorship, ruled by the president and the army
- To secure “support” for this he needed the favour and support of the Nazis and many things were done to secure this
- The government and its ministers now were totally right wing
- Bruning’s ban on the SA was lifted
- Von Papen’s government called for new Reichstag elections,
as they knew the Nazis would dominate
- Von Papen (July) removed the SPD run Prussian government,
violating the constitution but gaining favour from Hitler
7
Q
Political trouble in 1932
A
- Hitler refused to accept any position apart from Chancellor, but Hindenburg disliked him so this became an impossibility. All took place at a meeting in August
- Hitler then made his Nazis join other parties to secure a vote of no confidence in Von Papen, triggering another Reichstag election where the Nazis lost support (November)
- Hindenburg liked Von Papen while Schleicher wanted him out, he only came around when the Army wanted him out
- In December 1932 Schleicher became Chancellor but was unsuccessful in gaining any support or victories
8
Q
political reasons behind Hitler’s appointment
A
Hitler and Papen met in secret and agreed to the deal of Hitler as Chancellor and Papen as his vice, which Hindenburg agreed to. Hitler was made Chancellor in January 1933
Reasons for the decision
- Hindenburg wanted Von Papen back in government and believed Hitler could be controlled
- Hitler was under pressure from his decline in support from the elections, while also wanting to spite Schleicher for his attempt to break up the Nazis with his offer for Strasser to become his vice
- Von Papen wanted to return to power and thought he could control Hitler
Hitler’s aim after this was to remove the presidential government and take power for himself
9
Q
March elections 1933
A
- Nazis brutally rigged these elections by beating, disrupting and intimidating the opposition
- The Reichstag fire 27th of February enabled the Reichstag fire decree to be implemented, banning the KPD and securing more votes from fears of a Communist uprising
- As the KPD were now banned and the Nationalists were allies of the Nazis, Hitler had around a 60% majority of the Reichstag
10
Q
Enabling act
A
23rd of March
- As Hitler did not have a majority, he pressurised the Centre party into supporting it
- Gave the power for the Chancellor and cabinet to rule free of the Reichstag or President
11
Q
Reichstag fire
A
- 27th February 1933 and supposedly done by a young member of the Communist party
- Much speculation around Nazi involvement
- Enabled the Reichstag fire decree to be implemented, banning the KPD and securing more votes from fears of a Communist uprising
12
Q
Those responsible for helping Hitler to power
A
- Hugenburg and other conservative elites, who included Hitler in their plans and made him an influential player in German politics
- Hindenburg ultimately made Hitler Chancellor
- Many right wing supporters gave Hitler considerable financial and political help, including the Nationalist party, upper class, industrial tycoons and army
- The KPD and SPD hated each other so much they were blind to rising Nazism and refused to form a front. The SPD were also more loyal to their ideals than their career in government, while the KPD had strong links to Soviet Russia and created fear around their entire cause
- Centre party voted for the enabling act
