What this lesson teaches
I can judge how much leaders, the army and other groups did to set up authoritarian rule.
Syllabus K336, Rise of Authoritarian Regimes, Learning Outcomes. Evaluate the roles of key players in the establishment of authoritarian rule.
Make a guess
In July 1932 the Nazis became the largest party in the Reichstag. How do you think Hitler then became chancellor?
- The Nazis won a majority of seats, so he took office automatically.
- President Hindenburg appointed him after conservatives proposed a deal.
- He won the 1932 presidential election and then chose to be chancellor.
Show the answer
President Hindenburg appointed him after conservatives proposed a deal.
No election made Hitler chancellor. Papen and other conservatives expected to control him, and Hindenburg appointed him on 30 January 1933.
Hitler did not win an election to become chancellor; President Hindenburg appointed him on 30 January 1933 after a deal with conservatives.
In July 1932, the Nazis became the largest party in the Reichstag. But largest did not mean a majority. They had more seats than any other party, but fewer than half of all seats. Their vote fell in the November 1932 election, though they stayed the largest party. Earlier in 1932, Hitler had also lost the presidential election to Paul von Hindenburg.
Governments could not win enough support in parliament. Franz von Papen, a former chancellor, and other conservatives made a plan. They would use Hitler's large following to strengthen a government they expected to control. Most ministers in the cabinet, the group of senior ministers, would not be Nazis.
Hindenburg agreed to appoint Hitler chancellor on 30 January 1933. Nazi popularity made Hitler useful to Papen, but it was the conservatives' deal and Hindenburg's decision that actually put him in office. They badly underestimated how quickly he would remove the limits they thought would hold him back.
Becoming chancellor was the start of a further struggle for power. In government, the Nazis could use state money and police powers against their opponents. Becoming chancellor and becoming dictator were linked, but they were two different steps.
- July 1932
- Nazis become the largest party, but without a majority.
- Franz von Papen
- Conservative who thought he could control Hitler.
- 30 January 1933
- Hindenburg appoints Hitler chancellor.
Real examples to use
31 July 1932 election
The Nazis won 37.3 per cent and 230 of 608 seats. They were the largest party, but short of a majority.
6 November 1932 election
The Nazi vote fell to 33.1 per cent and 196 seats, so Hitler's appointment in January 1933 came when his support was falling.
30 January 1933
Hindenburg made Hitler chancellor in a cabinet where only three of the ministers, including Hitler, were Nazis.
Worked example: Pick a cause from before the event
Explain why Hitler became chancellor on 30 January 1933.
- Nazi votes made Hitler useful to Papen.
- Papen's deal and Hindenburg's decision made the appointment happen.
- The Reichstag fire came on 27 February, after the appointment, so it cannot be a cause.
Watch out for this
The Reichstag fire caused Hitler to become chancellor.
The fire was on 27 February 1933, almost a month after he became chancellor. It helped him tighten control.
Check your understanding
How did Hitler become chancellor?
- Hindenburg appointed him after conservatives agreed a deal.
- He beat Hindenburg in the 1932 presidential election.
- He won a majority of Reichstag seats in 1932.
Show the answer
Hindenburg appointed him after conservatives agreed a deal.
Yes. Votes made him useful, but the deal put him in office.
Check your understanding
How did Hitler become chancellor in January 1933?
- The Nazis won a majority of seats in the Reichstag.
- Papen and Hindenburg appointed him, believing they could control him.
- He seized power by force in the Munich Putsch.
Show the answer
Papen and Hindenburg appointed him, believing they could control him.
Conservative elites brought him in, although the Nazis never won a majority.