Why did support for the Nazis grow, and how did Hitler become Chancellor in 1933?
The Nazi rise to power 1929-1933: the impact of the Great Depression, the appeal of Hitler and the Nazis, the weakness of the Weimar government, and how Hitler became Chancellor in January 1933.
Why support for the Nazis grew and how Hitler became Chancellor: the impact of the Great Depression and mass unemployment, the appeal of Nazi promises and propaganda, the weakness and divisions of Weimar, and the political deals that made Hitler Chancellor in January 1933.
Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed
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What this dot point is asking
This dot point covers how the Nazis rose from a fringe party to power between 1929 and 1933. The SQA topic requires you to know why support for the Nazis grew, above all the impact of the Great Depression, the appeal of Hitler and the Nazis, and the weakness of the Weimar government, and how Hitler came to be appointed Chancellor in January 1933. This is the turning point at which the Nazis gained power, and it is one of the most heavily examined parts of the topic.
The dot point matters because it explains how a democracy gave way to the Nazis, through a mix of economic crisis, the Nazis' appeal and propaganda, fear of communism, and the misjudgements of conservative politicians. Questions are usually Explain (why support grew) or Describe (how Hitler became Chancellor).
The answer
After the Wall Street Crash of 1929, the Great Depression hit Germany hard, causing mass unemployment and widespread misery. The Weimar government seemed unable to solve the crisis, and many Germans lost faith in democracy. In these conditions the Nazis grew rapidly. They promised work, bread and a strong, proud Germany; Hitler was a powerful speaker; and Nazi propaganda spread their message widely. Many Germans, frightened of a communist revolution, saw the Nazis as a defence against communism, and the Nazis used the SA to project strength and intimidate opponents. In elections the Nazis became the largest party, but no party had a majority, so Germany was governed by weak coalitions. Conservative politicians, believing they could control Hitler and use his popularity, persuaded President Hindenburg to appoint Hitler Chancellor in January 1933.
The impact of the Great Depression
The Great Depression was the decisive background. The Wall Street Crash of 1929 led American banks to recall loans, and the German economy collapsed. Unemployment soared to millions, and many families faced poverty and hunger. The crisis discredited the Weimar government, which seemed unable to cope, and pushed desperate voters toward parties that promised radical solutions, on both the Nazi right and the communist left.
The appeal of the Nazis
The Nazis offered what desperate Germans wanted to hear. They promised to end unemployment, restore order, tear up the hated Treaty of Versailles and make Germany strong and proud again. Hitler was a charismatic and powerful public speaker. Nazi propaganda, through posters, rallies and newspapers, spread a simple, repeated message and presented Hitler as the strong leader Germany needed. The Nazis also exploited fear of communism, presenting themselves as the only force that could stop a revolution, which won them support from business and the middle class.
How Hitler became Chancellor
By the early 1930s the Nazis had become the largest party in the Reichstag, but they never won an overall majority, so they could not simply take power by election. Germany was instead governed by weak coalitions and increasingly by emergency decree. President Hindenburg at first refused to make Hitler Chancellor. But conservative politicians, especially von Papen, believed they could use Hitler's popularity while keeping him under their control in a coalition. They persuaded Hindenburg to appoint Hitler Chancellor in January 1933, with only a few Nazis in the cabinet, a miscalculation that would prove disastrous.
Examples in context
An Explain question on why support grew links causes to effects: "the Depression caused mass unemployment, so desperate people sought new solutions"; "the government seemed unable to cope, which made people lose faith in democracy"; "the Nazis promised work and a strong Germany, so they appealed to the jobless"; "propaganda and Hitler's speeches spread the message, which won support"; "fear of communism led many to back the Nazis".
A Describe question on how Hitler became Chancellor states facts: the Nazis became the largest party; no party had a majority, so coalitions and decrees governed; Hindenburg first refused Hitler; conservatives led by von Papen thought they could control him; and they persuaded Hindenburg to appoint Hitler Chancellor in January 1933.
Try this
Q1. How did the Great Depression help the Nazis? [2 marks]
- What the marker wants. It caused mass unemployment and hardship and discredited the Weimar government, so desperate voters turned to radical parties such as the Nazis.
Q2. Give two things the Nazis promised that appealed to Germans. [2 marks]
- What the marker wants. Any two of: to end unemployment / provide work; bread or an end to hardship; to overturn the Treaty of Versailles; to make Germany strong and proud; to stop communism.
Q3. How did Hitler actually become Chancellor in January 1933? [1 mark]
- What the marker wants. He was appointed by President Hindenburg after conservative politicians, led by von Papen, persuaded him, believing they could control Hitler, not through winning a majority.
A note on sources
This guide is AI-written and not individually human-reviewed and presents this history factually. The events and dates follow the standard account taught for the SQA National 5 History European and World context on Hitler and Nazi Germany; verify content against the SQA National 5 History course specification and SQA past papers at sqa.org.uk.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of SQA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
SQA N5 style6 marksExplain the reasons why support for the Nazis grew between 1929 and 1933. (6 marks)Show worked answer →
An Explain question, so give developed reasons linking cause to effect, around six.
Developed reasons: the Great Depression from 1929 caused mass unemployment, so millions of desperate people looked for new solutions; the Weimar government seemed unable to deal with the crisis, which made people lose faith in democracy; the Nazis promised work, bread and a strong Germany, so they appealed to the jobless and the fearful; Nazi propaganda and Hitler's powerful speeches won support, which spread their message widely; many feared a communist revolution, so they backed the Nazis as a defence against communism; and the Nazis used the SA to intimidate opponents and project strength, which attracted those who wanted firm leadership.
Each reason must carry the factor through to its consequence.
SQA N5 style5 marksDescribe how Hitler became Chancellor of Germany in January 1933. (5 marks)Show worked answer →
A Describe question, so make five separate, developed points of fact from recall.
Possible points: in elections during the early 1930s the Nazis became the largest party in the Reichstag; but no party had a majority, so Germany was governed by weak coalitions and rule by emergency decree; President Hindenburg at first refused to make Hitler Chancellor; conservative politicians, led by von Papen, believed they could control Hitler and use his popularity; they persuaded Hindenburg to appoint Hitler Chancellor in January 1933; and Hitler took office at the head of a coalition, with few Nazis in the cabinet at first.
Any five accurate, developed points reach full marks. Keep each one factual.
Related dot points
- Early threats to Weimar 1919-1923: political revolts from left and right (the Spartacist Revolt and the Beer Hall Putsch) and the economic crisis of hyperinflation in 1923.
The threats the Weimar Republic faced between 1919 and 1923: the Spartacist Revolt from the left, the Beer Hall Putsch from the right, and the economic crisis of 1923 when the occupation of the Ruhr and hyperinflation destroyed savings and confidence.
- Weimar Germany and the Treaty of Versailles: the impact of defeat in the First World War, the creation of the Weimar Republic, and the terms of the Treaty of Versailles and German opposition to it.
How defeat in the First World War led to the Weimar Republic and why Germans resented the Treaty of Versailles: the new democracy, the terms of the treaty (territory, army, reparations and war guilt), and how opposition to it weakened the republic from the start.
- The consolidation of power 1933-1934: the Reichstag Fire, the Enabling Act, the banning of opposition, the Night of the Long Knives, and Hitler becoming Fuhrer on Hindenburg's death.
How Hitler turned the office of Chancellor into a dictatorship between 1933 and 1934: the Reichstag Fire, the Enabling Act that gave him law-making power, the banning of other parties and trade unions, the Night of the Long Knives, and his becoming Fuhrer on Hindenburg's death.
- Nazi methods of control: the police state of the SS and Gestapo, censorship and propaganda, and the control of education and youth movements to spread Nazi ideas.
How the Nazis controlled Germany: the police state of the SS, Gestapo and concentration camps; censorship and propaganda through Goebbels using rallies, radio, film and press; and the control of schools and youth movements such as the Hitler Youth to shape young Germans.
- Nazi persecution and opposition: the persecution of Jewish people and other minorities, and the opposition to the regime from the churches, socialists and communists, and young people.
How the Nazis persecuted Jewish people and other minorities up to 1939, including the Nuremberg Laws and Kristallnacht, and the opposition the regime faced from the churches, socialists and communists, and some young people, and why opposition was so difficult.
Sources & how we know this
- National 5 History Course Specification — SQA (2024)
- National 5 History past papers and marking instructions — SQA (2025)