HITLER’S NAZI GERMANY

1. HITLER’S NAZI GERMANY Achieving Power: 1929-1933

2. The Elections of 1932 • Government in Turmoil • Resignation of von Papen • Von Papen’s Plan • Ascension of Hitler

3. Hitler Becomes Chancellor

4. Hitler as Chancellor

5. Why did the Nazis Succeed? The Nazi upsurge can be attributed primarily to the Depression that had ruined many German businesses and led to a tragic increase in unemployment. The Depression, in turn, stirred up a pervasive fear of impending political chaos, leading to an acute crisis in confidence for the democratic system…the Nazis were undoubtedly beneficiaries of popular anti-democratic feelings that they themselves did not create. - Klaus Fischer

6. Why did the Nazis Succeed? The Nazi program was skillfully tailored to winning the rural vote. It created a conservative image for itself by speaking up for the preservation of the rural way of life…it invoked the idea of a ‘People’s Community’ transcending the classes which awoke the multitudes of hopes, particularly among parish priests and teacher who felt they were being taken seriously…the Nazis were the only party to present an attractive offering to all village authorities. - Wolfram Pyta

7. The Nazis Come to Power • Determined to Show Strength • But Politically Weak • First Steps…the Communists

8. The Only Real Obstacle…the Army • Army Disdain Toward Hitler • Promises to the Army • No Army Intervention

9. The Breakdown of Law • Call for General Elections • Destruction of the Communists

10. The Reichstag Fire • Communist Scapegoat • Mass Arrests • Election Results • Manufactured Incident?

11. The Enabling Act