The Main Reasons for Hitler's Rise to Power in the Depression.

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The main reason for Hitler’s rise to power in January 1933 was the depression. How far do you agree? In January 1933 Hindenburg gave consent for Von Papen to appoint Hitler as Chancellor, this was after the 1932 elections where Nazi propaganda was proven to be most effective. There are a number of factors that help Hitler rise to power, however it is clear that the main ones were the depression, the back stairs intrigue, the weaknesses of the Weimar government and a few more. The Great Depression was mainly in America but it also had effects on the German economy too. Between the years 1929 and 1932 the amount of world trade fell by around 70 per cent. The unemployment levels rose and wage cuts were made and many people were made homeless due to this, they were unable to pay their rent or their mortgages so many were reduced to instant poverty. Welfare was a problem with the depression, the right wing didn’t like the idea of welfare but some of the left wing parties did. This meant they were arguing over welfare, the fall of Muller government and what they would do with the benefit system. This caused even more conflict between the two sides. At the time of the depression Muller was chancellor, he faced serious problems over the welfare system that was in place, he didn’t know what to do with it. Due to this Muller resigned and Brunning took his place. Brunning wanted to change things, but laws can’t be passed without the Reichstag. The Reichstag didn’t want to pass it, so he goes to the president and uses article 48. The depression needs to be dealt with by the Reichstag refuse so the Reichstag is dissolved and they hold new elections for a new Reichstag and hope that its more right wing. Bruning had no support from the SPD, this wasn’t good because they were the majority and not having support from them meant that her didn’t really have any support at all.
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