G22+Accession


 * 2 The rise of the Nazi Party**


 * Hitler’s accession to power

__**5.2 Hitler’s path to power 1929-1933**__


 * The fall of the Müller government 1930**


 * Since the 1928 election a coalition of SPD, DDP, ZP and DVP had ruled under the chancellor Herman Müller (SPD).
 * The depression brought division among the parties over how the respond. Müller wanted to raise taxes to maintain welfare for those affected by the depression and to prevent greater support for the Communists.
 * The other parties disagreed and the coalition collapsed on 27 March 1930


 * The position of President von Hindenburg and Presidential government**
 * The elderly, reluctant Hindenburg was incapable of dealing adequately with the crisis. He relied on a small circle of advisers: General Kurt von Schleicher; his son Oskar von Hindenburg; and his state secretary Otto Meissner. They believed strong central government was needed.
 * Hindenburg appointed Heinrich Brüning Chancellor in March 1930. Brüning could not command the support of a majority in the Reichstag. He ruled through power granted by the President under Article 48.
 * Brüning adopted a harsh economic policy to deal with the Depression: reduced spending and increased taxes. His July 1930 budget was rejected by the Reichstag, but was implemented by Presidential decree through Article 48. While this was legal, it set a dangerous precedent. The Reichstag voted no confidence in the Chancellor and the Reichstag was dissolved.


 * [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/Bundesarchiv_Bild_119-2600%2C_Heinrich_Br%C3%BCning.jpg/225px-Bundesarchiv_Bild_119-2600%2C_Heinrich_Br%C3%BCning.jpg align="right" caption="Heinrich Brüning"]]The 1930 elections**
 * Fresh elections in the climate of economic crisis in 1930 brought a great upsurge in support for the extreme parties. The Nazis campaigned hard and increased their representation in the Reichstag from 12 seats to 107 seats - the second largest party in the Reichstag. The KPD had 77 seats in the new parliament. The moderate parties could not command a majority and the Reichstag was not able to function.
 * Brüning remained Chancellor with the support of the SPD (the largest party). The SPD opposed his policies but feared the Nazis taking power.
 * Brüning maintained his economic policy through Presidential decree. The economy worsened: 4.6 million unemployed by Oct 1931.
 * In June 1931, the US agreed to a one year moratorium on reparations payments. They were cancelled in June 1932.


 * Reelecting the President 1932**
 * Brüning attempted to delay the presidential elections due in 1932 for two years. This was rejected by the Reichstag.
 * Hindenburg stood again supported by the parties he opposed, the SPD and other moderates.
 * Hitler stood for election.
 * Hindenburg was too old and unwell to campaign; the Nazis campaigned vigorously.
 * Hindenburg narrowly failed to gain a majority.
 * A second round of voting gave him a narrow majority and also saw the Nazi vote increase.


 * [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2f/Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-B0527-0001-020%2C_Kurt_von_Schleicher.jpg/225px-Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-B0527-0001-020%2C_Kurt_von_Schleicher.jpg align="right" caption="Kurt von Schleicher"]]The role of the army - General von Schleicher**
 * The army was generally antagonistic towards the republic and democracy.
 * Up to 1923 it had support the government in vigorously attacking left wing movements (Spartakist Uprising); but refused to attack the right (Kapp Putsch).
 * 1920s General von Seeckt made agreements with Russia to secretly rebuild Germany’s military capacity.
 * After Hindenburg became president in 1925, the army became more amenable to the republic, but only while there was stability.
 * In the 1930s, von Schleicher, through the Ministeramt, a liaison office between the army and political parties, was able to influence the president. He wanted a strong leader that could be controlled by the army, and discarded if need be. Brüning and von Papen were used in this way. Von Schleicher hoped that he would be able to use Hitler in a similar way. He misunderstood the strength of the Nazi movement and its determination to take and retain power and destroy the republic.


 * Brüning betrayed - May 1932**
 * Brüning had been able to resolve the economic crisis; relied too much on the support of the SPD in the Reichstag; refused to deal with the Nazis.
 * After a move to ban the SA and SS, von Schleicher convinced Hindenburg that Brüning was too left-leaning. Hindenburg asked for Brüning’s resignation.


 * [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/19/Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-S00017%2C_Franz_von_Papen_crop.jpg/225px-Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-S00017%2C_Franz_von_Papen_crop.jpg align="right" caption="Franz von Papen"]]Franz von Papen**
 * Had little support in the Reichstag. Von Schleicher: von Papen was “**a hat without a head**”.
 * **Cabinet of Barons**: industrialists and junkers - a government based on “the support of the president and the army” (Alan Bullock).


 * Reichstag elections - July 1932**
 * Von Schleicher made a deal with the Nazis and von Papen: ban on SA and SS would be lifted if the Nazis would cooperate with the government after new elections.
 * With the ban lifted, the Nazis unleashed a violent election campaign: 89 killed during July; provocative tactics.
 * In the election, there was a massive increase in support for the Nazis: 37.4% of the vote and 230 seats in the Reichstag. It was the largest party.


 * Hitler is refused power - Aug 1932**
 * Hitler demanded the chancellorship and five cabinet positions. Hindenburg refused. Hitler refused the offer of vice-chancellorship.
 * The new Reichstag passed a motion of no confidence in von Papen. Hindenburg had no option but to dissolve the Reichstag and hold fresh elections.


 * Reichstag election - Nov 1932**
 * Nazi support decreased: down to 32% of vote and 196 seats, but still the largest party.
 * Hitler demanded the chancellorship and was again refused: Hindenburg could not “put a house painter in Bismarck’s chair.”
 * Von Papen continued to rule by presidential decree.


 * Fall of von Papen - Dec 1932**
 * Von Papen recommended that Hindenburg dissolve the Reichstag, suspend the constitution and rule directly (illegal).
 * Von Schleicher convinced Hindenburg that this would lead to civil war, and convinced him to dump von Papen.
 * Von Schleicher was appointed chancellor.


 * Hitler and the German industrialists**
 * Industrialists did well during the republic but never supported it.
 * Only a few (e.g. Thyssen, Kirdorf) open supported Hitler. The radicalism of the party and the socialist elements made them wary.
 * In Jan 1932, Hitler addressed industrialists at the Industrie-klub. Despite an impressive performance, the industrialists did not support him in the presidential elections and continued to support von Papen in the Reichstag. After the von Papen’s dismissal, they moved their support to Hitler and not to von Schleicher who had links with the workers’ movement.


 * The failure of von Schleicher - Dec 1932**
 * Von Schleicher tried to split the Nazis by offer the vice-chancellorship to Gregor Strasser. Hitler acted decisively and demanded a personal oath of loyalty from all Nazis in the Reichstag. Strasser was removed from the party.
 * Hopes of achieving power seemed to be dimming for the Nazis.


 * The final deal - Jan 1933**
 * Von Papen hoped to remove von Schleicher and return to the chancellorship. To do this he made a deal with the Nazis. Negotiations included people influential with the president - e.g. Oskar von Hindenburg and Otto Meissner.
 * A coalition of Nazi Party, DNVP and von Papen’s conservative supporters.



Hindenburg was still reluctant to support Hitler, but agreed to conditions which would ensure von Papen and the other conservatives would hold the power and Hitler would be restrained:
 * Hitler becomes chancellor - Jan 1933**
 * Hitler chancellor; von Papen vice-chancellor.
 * Von Papen present at all meeting between Hitler and Hindenburg.
 * Nazis would get three of eleven cabinet positions - others going to other conservatives.
 * Nugenburg (DNVP) would be Minter for Economics
 * General von Blomberg would be Minister of Defence.

Von Schleicher was dismissed.



** 30 January 1933, Hitler was appointed chancellor of Germany. **