By January 1933, the Nazis had many supporters but no majority in parliament. Only President Hindenburg could appoint the chancellor. Compare how the economic crisis, Nazi campaigning and the decisions of Papen and Hindenburg fitted together.
What does each factor explain, and what does it leave unexplained?
Hardship damaged trust in existing parties
- The Depression brought business failures and unemployment.
- The Nazis grew from 2.6% of the vote in 1928 to the largest party in July 1932.
People who lost confidence in existing leaders could become more willing to try a party promising jobs and decisive action.
Hardship did not make everyone vote Nazi. It also does not explain Hindenburg's particular decision to appoint Hitler.
Nazi campaigning turned discontent into votes
- Hitler promised jobs and national recovery; campaigns repeated these messages to different audiences.
- The Nazis became the largest party, but had fewer than half the seats.
Campaigning gave some dissatisfied voters a party to support. Hitler's large following then made him attractive to politicians who wanted that support for a government.
The largest party did not automatically choose the chancellor. Nazi support also fell in November 1932, so appointment was not simply the result of ever-rising popularity.
Papen and Hindenburg gave Hitler a route into office
- Papen believed a cabinet with mostly non-Nazi ministers could restrain Hitler.
- Hindenburg appointed Hitler chancellor on 30 January 1933.
Their negotiations and decision explain the final step into office: people with the power to appoint or influence the president chose to bring Hitler into government.
To explain why they chose Hitler, also consider his large following and their difficulty forming a government with enough support.