Rise of Nazism in Germany

Rise of Nazism in Germany

1. Depression climate

· 6 million unemployed by 1932

2. Presidential Election, 1932

· Blaming the Jews and the ‘November’ Criminals

· But still could not win elections

3. Elections for the Reichstag (Parliament), July 1932

· Nazis vs. Communists who take to the streets

· Nazis are largest party in Reichstag

· Hitler demands he be made Chancellor

· Franz Von Papen (leader of Social Democrats)

But still could not become chancellor

4. Fresh Reichstag elections, November 1932

5. Hitler becomes Chancellor and von Papen was made the Vice Chancellor (January, 1933)

6. Reichstag Fire, February 1933

· Who did it: Communist Marianus van der Lubbe vs. Karl Ernst, SA, (Goering Palace)

· Emergency law passed to restrict personal freedom

· Purge of communist supporters

· Nazis still forced to join with 52 nationalist members to create a government

7. Enabling Act, March 1933.

· Right to pass laws for next 4 years without Reichstag approval

· Use of SA to intimidate the opposition

· Expulsion of Communist Reichstag members

8. Hitler vs. Ernest Rohm (Leader of the SA, storm troopers)

· Rival to German army support

· The SA wanted a Socialist programme vs. Industrialists support

· Rohm was perceived as a threat

· Hitler was to be made the Commander-in-chief in return for the SA to be disbanded & disarmed. Rearmament was also part of the deal.

· SS assassination squads went into action in the Night of Long Knives

· Chancellor/President/Commander-in-Chief - personal allegiance

The Fuhrer (leader)