result of their efforts ⇒ Nazis ⇒ saw massive increase in support and representation in the Reichstag between years 1929 and 1932. Despite this ⇒ there was still some major barriers ⇒ that stood between Hitler and power he wanted so much. ⇒ one of the barriers was President Hindenburg
President Hindenburg ⇒ was a national hero ⇒ and was well respected by the people. ⇒ he had been senior commander of German armed forces in WW1.
- did not really like democracy ⇒ but he served as president of WR from 1925-1929 ⇒ as he knew he could serve as a force for stability
- 1932 ⇒ he wanted to retire.
- but he was persuaded to stand for elections again ⇒ to prevent Hitler from becoming president Hindenburg agreed ⇒ he disliked Hitler ⇒ felt that he would make Germany unstable. April 1932 ⇒ Hindenburg won presidential election.
| to tackle economic problems ⇒ Hindenburg wanted to appoint a chancellor that would have support of Reichstag. → would enable him to take a range of measures ⇒ without have to keep calling for elections or deal with disputes. June 1932 ⇒ Hindenburg sacked Bruning ⇒ appointed wealthy aristocrat and landowner ⇒ Franz von Papen ⇒ as chancellor. -called for an election in July ⇒ hoping Von Papen would get enough support to make his govt work, | Hindenburg’s plan failed. ⇒ Nazis did spectacularly well in the July 1932 elections. ⇒ became single largest party (230 seats) ⇒ but still did not have majority in the Reichstag. Hitler ⇒ demanded to be chancellor ⇒ but Hindenburg refused ⇒ keeping Von Papen as chancellor. But Von papen ⇒ was unable to form a government that had the support of the Reichstag. |
| Nov 1932 ⇒ Hindenburg called another time. Yet again ⇒ Nazis came out as the largest party ⇒ but their share of votes fell. → lost more than 2 million votes along with 38 Reichstag seats. ⇒ seemed as if even Hitler believed his chances of gaining power were gone. ⇒ however he took some comfort in the fact that there was no other politician or party who seemed to be in the position to run Germany | December 1932 ⇒ Hindenburg appointed an old army comrade ⇒ Kurt Von Schleicher ⇒ as new chancellor. Schleicher ⇒ tried to get Nazis to support him. ⇒ however he failed and had to resign |
| Hindenburg ⇒ became increasingly desperate ⇒ to find a way to get the govt working again. Throughout Jan 1933 ⇒ Hindenburg and Von Papen ⇒ secretly met with industrialists, army leaders and politicians. 30th Jan ⇒ they offered Hitler post of chancellor. ⇒ Von Papen was to be vice chancellor, and there could only be a few other Nazis in senior positions in the Cabinet. |
Hitler’s appointment as chancellor ⇒ divided public opinion. ⇒ did not bother Hindenburg and chancellor Franz Von Papen. They were confident⇒ that they could work with Hitler in the Reichstag to get measures passed ⇒ which would help to restore stability to Germany =. and allow them to tackle problem of unemployment If Hitler grew too powerful ⇒ they were sure they could work with his opponents to curb his influence or even unseat him from his position if required. ⇒ were sure they could keep Hitler in Check turned out to be very wrong.