A self-help resource for supporting school pupils studying Higher History

1. IMPROVE YOUR UNDERSTANDING IN GERMAN HISTORY HITLER’S RISE TO POWER

3. Hitler’s rise to power How important were economic factors in Hitler’s rise to power?

4. How important were economic factors in Hitler’s rise to power? This question wants you to look at how economic factors contributed to Hitler’s rise, then explain how other factors had to interact with them for Hitler to come to power e.g. After Versailles the German economy was weak & vulnerable: she had lost resources & had to rebuild after the war & had to pay reparations. This led to disaster in the hyperinflation of 1923 & a loss of confidence in the Weimar System of government. It is interesting that as the economy improved 1924-9 support for Nazism & Communism declined sharply. The Wall Street Crash In 1929, followed by the Great Depression greatly revived Nazi fortunes, because there was now a total collapse in confidence in the ability of Weimar to control the economy. As a result, in the election of July 1932 the Nazis became the largest party, with the Communists 3 rd . Thus the Nazis became Germany’s biggest party because of the Depression. BUT It did not put them in power. What it did do was frighten people because of the rise of Communism & discourage them from supporting Weimar. It made Hitler attractive as someone who could be used by the Hindenburg clique to give them public credibility. From this point Hitler used opportunism & ruthlessness to exploit the Reichstag Fire & force through the Enabling Bill in March 1933.

6. How important were economic factors in Hitler’s rise to power? How important were economic factors in Hitler’s rise to power? Can you now improve on your original response?

7. Hitler’s rise to power How important was the weakness of Weimar in Hitler’s rise to power?