Write an account of Hitler’s appointment as Chancellor (15)
Between 1929 and 1933, a series of political maneuvers known as “backstairs intrigue” played a key role in Adolf Hitler’s rise to the position of Chancellor of Germany. The Great Depression, which began in 1929, hit Germany hard, creating massive unemployment and economic instability. This crisis weakened the Weimar Republic and increased support for extremist parties, including the Nazis. In the 1930 and 1932 elections, the Nazi Party’s popularity surged, making it the largest party in the Reichstag with 37% of the vote by July 1932. However, despite this success, President Paul von Hindenburg refused to appoint Hitler as Chancellor, fearing his radical ideas and authoritarian tendencies.
A number of conservative politicians and influential figures behind the scenes, however, believed they could control Hitler and use his popularity to stabilize Germany. These individuals included Franz von Papen, a former Chancellor, and General Kurt von Schleicher, who served as an advisor to Hindenburg. Papen, who had lost his position as Chancellor, hoped to regain influence and saw an alliance with Hitler as a means to that end. Schleicher, meanwhile, feared growing Nazi support but also saw the importance of integrating the Nazis to maintain order.
The situation became a political power struggle, with Hindenburg initially appointing Schleicher as Chancellor in December 1932. However, Schleicher failed to secure enough support in the Reichstag and quickly lost influence. Papen then convinced Hindenburg that he could control Hitler if he were appointed Chancellor with Papen as Vice-Chancellor, persuading Hindenburg that placing Hitler in a government with conservative allies would prevent him from becoming too powerful. Believing they could “tame” Hitler, Hindenburg and Papen agreed to this plan.
On January 30, 1933, Hindenburg reluctantly appointed Hitler as Chancellor, with Papen and other conservatives surrounding him in the cabinet. They underestimated Hitler’s political skill and ruthlessness; once in power, Hitler moved quickly to consolidate control, paving the way for his dictatorship. The “backstairs intrigue” that brought him to office proved disastrous, as it gave Hitler the legal authority he needed to dismantle the Weimar Republic and establish a totalitarian regime.
A number of conservative politicians and influential figures behind the scenes, however, believed they could control Hitler and use his popularity to stabilize Germany. These individuals included Franz von Papen, a former Chancellor, and General Kurt von Schleicher, who served as an advisor to Hindenburg. Papen, who had lost his position as Chancellor, hoped to regain influence and saw an alliance with Hitler as a means to that end. Schleicher, meanwhile, feared growing Nazi support but also saw the importance of integrating the Nazis to maintain order.
The situation became a political power struggle, with Hindenburg initially appointing Schleicher as Chancellor in December 1932. However, Schleicher failed to secure enough support in the Reichstag and quickly lost influence. Papen then convinced Hindenburg that he could control Hitler if he were appointed Chancellor with Papen as Vice-Chancellor, persuading Hindenburg that placing Hitler in a government with conservative allies would prevent him from becoming too powerful. Believing they could “tame” Hitler, Hindenburg and Papen agreed to this plan.
On January 30, 1933, Hindenburg reluctantly appointed Hitler as Chancellor, with Papen and other conservatives surrounding him in the cabinet. They underestimated Hitler’s political skill and ruthlessness; once in power, Hitler moved quickly to consolidate control, paving the way for his dictatorship. The “backstairs intrigue” that brought him to office proved disastrous, as it gave Hitler the legal authority he needed to dismantle the Weimar Republic and establish a totalitarian regime.
