Why did the Nazis rise to power between 1929 and 1933?
The rise of the Nazis to power 1929 to 1933: the impact of the Wall Street Crash and the Depression, the appeal of Nazi propaganda and the SA, the weaknesses of Weimar democracy, and how Hitler became chancellor in January 1933 through political scheming.
A focused answer on the rise of the Nazis 1929 to 1933, covering the Wall Street Crash and the Depression, the appeal of Nazi propaganda and the SA, the weaknesses of Weimar democracy, and how Hitler became chancellor in January 1933.
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What this dot point is asking
This dot point covers the rise of the Nazis to power, 1929 to 1933. You need to explain the impact of the Wall Street Crash and the Depression, the appeal of Nazi propaganda and the SA, the weaknesses of Weimar democracy, and how Hitler became chancellor in January 1933 through political scheming. As a Unit 2 depth study, weigh why the Nazis succeeded.
The Depression
Nazi appeal and the SA
The weaknesses of Weimar democracy
Hitler becomes chancellor
Try this
Q1. How did the Wall Street Crash affect Germany? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. American banks recalled the short-term loans on which Germany's recovery depended, the economy collapsed, and by 1932 unemployment reached around six million, pushing desperate voters towards extreme parties.
Q2. Explain how Hitler became chancellor in January 1933. [Short explanation]
- Cue. The Nazis were the largest party but had no majority; conservative politicians led by von Papen persuaded President Hindenburg to appoint Hitler chancellor in a coalition, gambling wrongly that they could control him.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
WJEC Wales (Unit 2)4 marksDescribe two features of Nazi propaganda in the early 1930s.Show worked answer →
The describe question (AO1). Reward two distinct, developed features, each with one supporting detail.
Feature one. The Nazis used simple, repeated messages tailored to different groups, promising "work and bread", a strong Germany and an end to the hated Treaty of Versailles, blaming Jews and communists for Germany's problems.
Feature two. Goebbels ran modern campaigns using posters, rallies, radio and aircraft to fly Hitler around the country, presenting him as a strong leader who could save Germany.
Top marks. Two distinct features, each developed with precise detail.
WJEC Wales (Unit 2)8 marksExplain why the Nazis rose to power between 1929 and 1933.Show worked answer →
The explain question (AO1 and AO2). Reward a developed analysis of reasons, each supported and linked to the outcome.
Reason one. The Depression: after the Wall Street Crash of 1929, American loans were recalled, unemployment soared to around 6 million, and desperate voters turned to extreme parties.
Reason two. Nazi appeal: effective propaganda, the promise of "work and bread", a strong leader, and the SA, which gave an image of strength and order.
Reason three. Weimar weakness and scheming: weak coalition governments, rule by emergency decree, and the miscalculation of politicians who made Hitler chancellor thinking they could control him.
Top band. Link each reason to how the Nazis gained power, and judge which was decisive.
Related dot points
- The founding of the Weimar Republic and the problems it faced from 1919 to 1923: the Treaty of Versailles and the 'stab in the back', political extremism from left and right (the Spartacist uprising, the Kapp Putsch), the 1923 crisis of the Ruhr occupation and hyperinflation.
A focused answer on the unstable early years of the Weimar Republic 1919 to 1923, covering the Treaty of Versailles and the stab in the back, extremism from left and right, and the 1923 crisis of the Ruhr and hyperinflation.
- The Stresemann era of recovery 1924 to 1929: ending hyperinflation with the Rentenmark, the Dawes and Young Plans and American loans, the Locarno Pact and League of Nations membership, the cultural flourishing of the Weimar years, and the underlying weaknesses of the recovery.
A focused answer on Germany's recovery under Stresemann 1924 to 1929, covering the Rentenmark, the Dawes and Young Plans, Locarno and the League of Nations, the cultural flourishing, and the weaknesses beneath the recovery.
- Hitler's consolidation of power 1933 to 1934: the Reichstag Fire and the Enabling Act, the banning of other parties and trade unions (Gleichschaltung), the Night of the Long Knives, and Hitler becoming Fuhrer on the death of Hindenburg in August 1934.
A focused answer on how Hitler consolidated power 1933 to 1934, covering the Reichstag Fire and the Enabling Act, the banning of parties and unions, the Night of the Long Knives, and Hitler becoming Fuhrer in August 1934.
- The Nazi police state, propaganda and persecution 1933 to 1939: control through the SS, Gestapo and concentration camps, Goebbels' propaganda and censorship, the control of young people and women, and the persecution of the Jews leading to the Nuremberg Laws and Kristallnacht.
A focused answer on the Nazi police state, propaganda and persecution 1933 to 1939, covering the SS, Gestapo and concentration camps, Goebbels' propaganda and censorship, control of young people and women, and the persecution of the Jews.
Sources & how we know this
- WJEC GCSE History (Wales) specification (3100) — WJEC (2017)