How did Hitler rise from obscurity to Chancellor by 1933?
Hitler's rise to power 1919 to 33: the early Nazi Party and the Munich Putsch, the lean years of 1924 to 28, the impact of the Depression after 1929, the growth of Nazi support, and Hitler's appointment as Chancellor in January 1933.
A focused answer to Key Topic 2 of Edexcel's Weimar and Nazi Germany depth study, covering the early Nazi Party and the Munich Putsch, the lean years of 1924 to 28, the impact of the Depression, the reasons for growing Nazi support, and Hitler's appointment as Chancellor in 1933.
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What this dot point is asking
This is Key Topic 2: how Hitler rose from an unknown agitator to Chancellor by 1933. You need the early Nazi Party and the Munich Putsch, the lean years of 1924 to 28, the impact of the Depression, the reasons for growing support, and the political deals that made Hitler Chancellor. This is prime territory for the Paper 3 interpretation questions on why Hitler came to power.
The early Nazi Party and the Munich Putsch
The lean years, 1924 to 1928
The impact of the Depression
Why support grew
Hitler becomes Chancellor
Try this
Q1. What happened in the Munich Putsch of 1923? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. Hitler tried to seize power in Bavaria; it failed, he was jailed, and in prison he wrote Mein Kampf, after which he pursued power legally.
Q2. Explain why Hitler became Chancellor in January 1933. [Short explanation]
- Cue. The Nazis were the largest party by 1932, years of weak coalitions had discredited democracy, and conservative politicians led by von Papen persuaded Hindenburg to appoint Hitler, wrongly believing they could control him.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of Pearson Edexcel exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Edexcel 201812 marksExplain why the Nazis were able to win more support in the years 1929 to 1932.Show worked answer →
The Paper 3 "Explain why" question (12 marks). Reward at least three developed reasons with precise detail.
Reason one (the Depression). The Wall Street Crash of 1929 caused mass unemployment (around six million by 1932), and the Weimar government seemed unable to cope, so desperate voters turned to extreme parties.
Reason two (Nazi propaganda and promises). The Nazis used effective propaganda (Goebbels), mass rallies and simple, appealing messages (work and bread, restoring German pride, blaming Jews and communists) to win support across many groups.
Reason three (fear of communism and Hitler's appeal). Frightened by rising communism, the middle classes and business looked to the Nazis, while Hitler's charisma and the SA's strength made the party look strong and decisive.
Top band. Three developed reasons, each with detail, clearly explaining the rise in support.
Edexcel 202012 marksExplain why Hitler was appointed Chancellor in January 1933.Show worked answer →
The Paper 3 "Explain why" question (12 marks). Reward at least three developed reasons.
Reason one (Nazi electoral success). By July 1932 the Nazis were the largest party in the Reichstag, so they could not easily be ignored in forming a government.
Reason two (political scheming). Conservative politicians, especially von Papen, persuaded President Hindenburg to appoint Hitler Chancellor, wrongly believing they could control him in a coalition.
Reason three (the failure of Weimar democracy). Years of weak coalitions and rule by emergency decree under Bruning, Papen and Schleicher had discredited democracy, making a Hitler government seem a way to restore stability.
Top band. Three developed reasons, each with detail, explaining the appointment.
Related dot points
- The Weimar Republic 1918 to 29: its origins after defeat in the First World War, the strengths and weaknesses of the new constitution, the impact of the Treaty of Versailles, the crisis of 1923 (the Ruhr and hyperinflation), and the Stresemann recovery.
A focused answer to Key Topic 1 of Edexcel's Weimar and Nazi Germany depth study, covering the origins of the Republic, the new constitution, the impact of the Treaty of Versailles, the 1923 crisis (the Ruhr occupation and hyperinflation), and the Stresemann recovery and cultural revival.
- The creation of the Nazi dictatorship 1933 to 39: the Reichstag Fire and Enabling Act, the removal of opposition, the Night of the Long Knives, the death of Hindenburg, and the machinery of control (the SS, Gestapo, propaganda and censorship).
A focused answer to Key Topic 3 of Edexcel's Weimar and Nazi Germany depth study, covering the Reichstag Fire and Enabling Act, the removal of opposition, the Night of the Long Knives, the death of Hindenburg, and the police state of the SS, Gestapo, propaganda and censorship.
- Life in Nazi Germany 1933 to 39: the role and expectations of women, the control of young people through education and the Hitler Youth, the experience of workers, the Nazis and the Churches, and opposition and resistance.
A focused answer to Key Topic 4 of Edexcel's Weimar and Nazi Germany depth study, covering the role of women, the control of youth through education and the Hitler Youth, the experience of workers, the relationship between the Nazis and the Churches, and opposition and resistance.
- Nazi racial policy and the persecution of minorities (Jews, and other groups), the events of Kristallnacht, the policy towards the racial state, and the Nazi economy of rearmament and self-sufficiency before 1939.
A focused answer to Nazi racial policy and the economy in Edexcel's Weimar and Nazi Germany depth study, covering the persecution of Jews and other minorities, the Nuremberg Laws and Kristallnacht, the idea of the racial state, and the Nazi economy of rearmament and self-sufficiency before 1939.
- Planning and writing the 16-mark 'How far do you agree' essay across the Edexcel papers, building a balanced, well-supported argument and judgement, and earning the spelling, punctuation and grammar marks.
A focused answer to the Edexcel GCSE History 16-mark essay, explaining how to plan and write a balanced 'How far do you agree' answer with a clear argument and judgement, how to use evidence and stimulus points, and how to earn the SPaG marks.
Sources & how we know this
- Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History (1HI0) specification — Pearson Edexcel (2016)