Arguments & Counter Arguments

Yes - Significant/ Important

No - Other factors
How significant were changes made by Hitler to the Nazi Party during the 1920s?
Failure of Munich Putsch and Hitler's imprisonment led the party to seek a democratic route into power – Hitler dictates Mein Kampf in prison; Nazi Party tried to appeal to all classes in German society; SA violence was toned down; greater use of propaganda, marches and parades to demonstrate discipline to win middle-class vote; anticommunism used to entice Big Business; anti-Semitism less explicit, new National structure and better organisation e.g Gauleiters
The party didn’t win mass appeal. Main aims of the Nazi Party remained the same – destroy the Treaty of Versailles, rearm Germany, take back lost German land, conquer Lebensraum; racism, anti-Semitism and eugenic theories still central to Nazi beliefs; (not winning over the middle classes) Nazis still used paramilitary forces to protect them at meetings – SA and SS (still had ‘thuggish’ reputation) Hitler still the fuhrer of party and main speaker; still used violence against communists, Jews and other opponents, etc.
How important was the Munich Putsch in the development of the Nazi Party up to 1930?
Munich Putsch highlighted the fact that violent revolution would not appeal to the middle classes; led Hitler to write Mein Kampf in Landsberg Prison and reassess tactics; Hitler’s prison sentence made him believe the Nazis had to win power using democracy and then destroy the Weimar Republic from within; Munich Putsch had given Hitler a national audience; he was well known for the Putsch and wanted to appeal to voters with nationalist sympathies; Hitler aimed to get ‘catch-all’ vote by appealing to all classes; less anti-Semitism in speeches and propaganda; set up Hitler Youth, etc.
Nazis continued to use violence with the SA; propaganda remained a staple of the Nazi Party to appeal to supporters; most support still came from lower middle classes until the Depression; SA still primarily working-class unemployed in make-up; Great Depression allowed Hitler to exploit people’s fears, especially anti-Communism; Hitler used hatred of Versailles Settlement to stir up anti-Weimar feeling from the beginning; Hitler was opportunistic in his tactics; 25 Point Programme; the role of Hitler and other Nazi leaders such as Goebbels; ‘fuhrerprinzip’, etc
How important was the Great Depression as a reason for Nazi electoral success, 1930–33?
Unemployment reached 6 million by 1932 in Germany and extremist parties benefitted from desperation; Germany particularly badly hit by Depression due to the recall of US loans – economic collapse; all classes affected and Nazis promised policies to everyone; right-wing politicians and businessmen feared increase in Communist vote – they had nearly 100 seats in the Reichstag in November 1932 election – this led to increased support for the Nazis; SA ran soup kitchens; 1932 Presidential Election results, etc.
Nazis used effective propaganda and campaigns to demonstrate strength, order and discipline during time of chaos; Hitler’s leadership skills and charisma appealed to many; Nazis promised to crush Communist Party – they did using emergency powers granted to Hitler in February 1933 after Reichstag Fire – 4000 communist leaders arrested; Nazis gain 288 seats (44%) in Reichstag in March 1933 elections; use of SA to intimidate opponents; lack of effective political leadership from Weimar politicians – von Papen and von Schleicher fail to get the support of the Reichstag; Hindenburg rules by decree and is convinced by von Papen and business leaders to appoint Hitler Chancellor in 1933 (must link this to March 1933 elections), etc.
How significant was the weakness of the political leaders of the Weimar Republic in 1932–33 as a reason for Hitler’s appointment as Chancellor in January 1933?
President Hindenburg had effectively ended democracy through the use of ‘rule by decree’; political instability with the Chancellorship; Chancellors von Papen and von Schleicher could not form a majority government in the Reichstag; rivalry between von Papen and von Schleicher led to secret meetings with industrialists to agree to Hitler’s appointment as Chancellor; Hitler underestimated by von Papen and Hindenburg; Bruning and Weimar government were not effective at dealing with effects of Depression, etc.
Depression had led to huge increase of Nazi support – largest party in the Reichstag in 1932; Nazis led an effective propaganda campaign; Hitler’s leadership skills and campaigning; Hitler’s promises appealed to many classes in Germany; Nazis maintained a strong image with the public and promised strong, nationalist government; antiCommunism and ‘negative cohesion’; citizens disillusionment with democratic government; Wall Street Crash, etc.
How important was the role of Papen as a reason for Hitler’s appointment as Chancellor in January 1933?
Papen appointed by Hindenburg July 1932 – led coalition government; unable to control a majority in the Reichstag – Nazis largest party in 1932 (37% of seats); Nazis would not cooperate with Papen and forced a second election in November; made Weimar look weak; President had to rule by decree; Papen removed and replaced by Schleicher; Papen wanted revenge and convinced Hindenburg to appoint Hitler as Chancellor with him as vice; thought they could manipulate Hitler, etc.
More important factors – economic Depression 1930–33 led to 6 million unemployed and huge surge in Nazi vote; fear of communist uprising increased vote and membership of Nazi Party amongst middle class and industrialists; Nazi propaganda; Hitler’s leadership skills and speeches; Nazi promises played on fears; Hindenburg’s rule by decree laid the foundation for a dictatorship, etc.