Short Notes on the Rise of Hitler
The factors which enabled Hitler’s rise to power and rise of Nazi party are interlinked.
(i) The Weimar republic from the very beginning was unable to provide a stable government. It failed to inspire confidence of the people in the democratic parliamentary system and made the republic vulnerable to dictatorship.
(ii) Hitler capitalised on the sense of humiliation which many Germans felt at their defeat in the war and the unjust provisions of the Treaty of Versailles. Hitler promised not only to build a strong nation but to undo the injustice of the Treaty of Versailles and restore the dignity of the German people.
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(iii) The economic consequences of World War I, crippling effect of redemption dues imposed by the Allies, failure of the Republic’s economic reforms which led to high inflation coupled with the effects of the Great Economic Depression created an economic disaster of the worst order in Germany. Germany witnessed high unemployment and price rise. Under the circumstances Nazi propaganda stirred hopes of a better future.
(iv) Threat of communism was a contributing factor in the rise of Hitler. The Sparta cist League organised an uprising on the pattern of the Bolsheviks of Russia. Though the uprising was crushed the threat of communism enabled Hitler to win the support of the conservatives-land and business classes.
(v) Failure of communist party and socialist parties to unite against threat of Nazism also contributed to the rise of Hitler.
(vi) Hitler’s rise to power was a result of political intrigues. Prior to the Great Economic Depression, Nazi Party was no more than a conspirational group. In spite of poor showing in the election Hitler was appointed Chancellor on Jan. 30, 1933.
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(vii) Having acquired power Hitler set out to dismantle the democratic fabric and unleashed a reign of terror. By the Fire Decree he suspended civic rights and through the Enabling At established dictatorship. He skillfully defamed the Communists and Jews. Special surveillance and security forces were created and vested with extra constitutional powers.
Thus without even having a majority Hitler became all powerful. In 1934 he assumed the title of Fuhrer and became the absolute dictator of Germany.