Reasons for Hitler's rise to power
Weaknesses of Weimar govt
Hitler's abilities
Left wing, communists
Hyperinflation
Right wing, kaiser's former army officers and advisors
Great depression
Proportional representatation
Nazi ideology
Excellent speaker and charismatic leader
Reorganize nazi party
Exploited fear of communism
Skilled at making deals with politicians
Governments do not last long under this system as most of the coalition government lacked unity
Regular changing of the government proved to be disruptive to the stability of the country
This democratic system allowed many parties to gain seats, no single party could gain dominance
People felt that this system was inefficient and invoked more conflict than governing the country
They objected to the signing of ToV, blaming the Weimar government for their defeat
Top army officers and former Kaiser advisors told Germans that the army was betrayed by the Weimar govt
The right wing mostly had people loyal to Kaiser
Communist grp know as Spartacists tried to take over cities like Berlin and Munich
President made an agreement with the army and Freikorps (former soldiers) to defeat communists
They wanted a communist government instead of the democratic Weimar govt
This resulted in many street battles which made Germany insafe
To keep up with reparations payments, government printed more money
The more money printed, the value decreased
Aft WW1, Germany had financial problems due to reparations and losses from WW1
Savings in banks became worthless and people blamed the Weimar government for not doing anything
Thousands of Americans businesses closed and affected economies around the world
Germany's recovery depended on US loans and their ability to keep lending
29 Oct 1929, serious financial crisis hit USA and marked the start of the great depression
Germany was affected badly, businesses forced to close and millions of Germans lost their jobs
This led to the rise of more extreme parties like the communist party and the nazi party
He increased party membership by establishing many local nazi parties
He created Hitler youth in 1920s and had 100k members by 1933
Aft his release from prison, he realized that he can only gain power through legal means
He established the SA-personal army and SS-personal bodyguard
In 1923, Hitler wanted it overthrow the Weimar government but failed and was sent to jail
He established nazi propaganda to appeal to people's emotions rather than intellect
This portrayed nazis as a strong, united party
Hitler targeted the jews for racial and economic reasons, blaming them for Germany's problems
Nazi ideology gave hope to Germans who suffered and were humiliated by ToV
Under hitler's leadership, the nazi party grew and came up with its first programme in 1920, known as the twenty five points
Hitler wrote Mein Kampf to outline his plans for Germany
Hitler gained popular support as his nazi ideology and promises made to the people was appealing
He was able to inspire belief among Germans that he could be the one to save Germany
He was a master at gauging the mood and appeared sincere
Hitler knew what people wanted to hear and he promised to make Germany great again
Many believed that the Weimar government had failed and tried other forms of govt
People believed that the nazi and communists were more trustworthy than the Weimar govt
Hitler assured rich landowners and industrialists that he would protect them
Hitler use propaganda to spread fear abt the aims of communists
The party and communist became popular during the difficult times aft great depression
Hitler was appointed chancellor on Jan 1933, and within months he would end democracy in Germany
Many rich Germans gave financial support to the nazis so Hitler could recruit the SA
President Hindenburg didn't trust Hitler and refused
The nazis became powerful and no coalition govt could rule without their support however Hitler refused to cooperate unless he was appointed chancellor