'Backstairs Intrigue' 2

1932 Elections

Following the turmoil of Papen's government, elections were held. This demonstrated the rising support for extremist groups, particularly the Nazi party.

Election in July 1932

The Nazis and Communists, both dedicated to overthrow of the Weimar regime, won over half the seats.
With 37% of the vote, the Nazis were the biggest party.
In August 1932 Hitler demanded to be made Chancellor with an Enabling Act enabling him to issue decrees himself.
Hindenburg disliked Hitler, not least because of his humble background, and refused.
Papen tried to build support in the Reichstag but was unable to.

Reaction to the July election

In September 1932 the Reichstag declared no-confidence in Papen by 512 votes to 42. The DNVP and DVP backed him. Hindenburg dissolved the Reichstag.
Papen and Hindenburg did not want to call another election, but this would be unconstitutional. Schleicher warned it might cause civil war.

Election in November 1932

The Nazis lost two million votes, their share was 33.1%, by far the largest party in the Reichstag. The KPD share went up to 16.9%.
Together these anti-Weimar parties controlled half the Reichstag. Political deadlock remained. The élite asked for Hitler to be Chancellor.

Reaction to the November election

Hindenburg demanded Hitler must control a majority in the Reichstag first. Hitler would not agree to a coalition, as it would require compromise.
Papen’s proposal was to remain Chancellor, get rid of the Reichstag, use the army to suppress opposition and write a new authoritarian constitution.
Schleicher again warned of civil war.
His aim was to bring right and left wing together to support constitutional change.

Schleicher and Papen's Plan

Although Schliecher became chancellor it was apparent that his government was weak. Papen developed a plan where Hitler would become chancellor. He thought he could control him like a puppet-master.

Schleicher becoming chancellor

In December 1932, Schleicher persuaded Hindenburg to make him Chancellor.
The left wing Nazi Gregor Strasser was Vice Chancellor. Schleicher developed Brüning’s land reforms.
Schleicher’s plan failed. It alienated the Junkers and failed to win the support of the socialist section of the Nazi Party. Papen made his move against Schleicher.

Papen's plan

Papen wanted to make Hitler Chancellor with him as his vice.
Papen believed Hitler could be controlled.
Otto Meissner:
- Papen won Hindenburg over with ‘misgivings that… a revolt of the national socialists and civil war were likely if Hitler were not appointed.’
Kershaw (1991)
- ‘Hitler needed the elite to attain power. But by January 1933, they in turn needed Hitler…’
On 30 January 1933 Hitler became Chancellor.

Historical assessment

The historian Salmon argues that ‘Nazism came to power as a result of a miscalculation by conservative politicians and the military after a large number, [not] a majority, of the electorate had put it in a position to contend for power.’
Historian Laffen argues that ‘… the National Socialists came to power more because of their enemies' weaknesses and failures than because of their own strength.’
The historian Harman argues that ‘the generals and industrialists estimated…that ruling with [the Nazis who] would destroy the working-class organisations was preferable’

1The Weimar Republic 1918-1933

1.1Establishment Of The Weimar Republic 1918-1924

1.1.1Post WW1

1.1.2Weimar Constitution

1.1.3Peace Settlement

1.1.4End of Topic Test - Germany Post WW1

1.1.5Economic Issues

1.1.6Economic Issues 2

1.1.7Social Issues

1.1.8End of Topic Test - Economic & Social Issues

1.1.9Extremist Threats

1.1.10Extremist Threats 2

1.1.11End of Topic Test - Extremist Threats

1.1.12Political Instability & The Invasion of the Ruhr

1.1.13Weimar Government by 1924

1.1.14End of Topic Test - Weimar Government by 1924

1.1.15A-A* (AO3/4) - Germany Post WW1

1.2The 'Golden Age' Of The Weimar Republic 1924-1928

1.2.1Economic Developments

1.2.2Industry & Agriculture

1.2.3End of Topic Test - Economic Developments

1.2.4Social Developments

1.2.5Social Developments 2

1.2.6End of Topic Test - Social Developments

1.2.7Political Parties

1.2.8Political Stability

1.2.9End of Topic Test - Weimar Politics

1.2.10Germany's International Position

1.2.11Germany's International Position 2

1.2.12End of Topic Test - International Position

1.2.13A-A* (AO3/4) - The Weimar 'Golden Age'

1.3The Collapse of Democracy 1928-1933

1.3.1The Impact Of The Depression

1.3.2Politics After The Depression

1.3.3The Appeal Of Extremism

1.3.4End of Topic Test - The Depression & Politics

1.3.5'Backstairs Intrigue'

1.3.6'Backstairs Intrigue' 2

1.3.7End of Topic Test - Backstairs Intrigue

1.3.8Political Developments

1.3.9The State by March 1933

1.3.10End of Topic Test - Political Developments

1.3.11A-A* (AO3/4) - The Collapse of Democracy

2Nazi Germany 1933-1945

2.1The Nazi Dictatorship 1933-1939

2.1.1Hitler's Consolidation Of Power

2.1.2The Terror State

2.1.3End of Topic Test - Consolidation of Power

2.1.4Opposition

2.1.5Propaganda

2.1.6A-A* (AO3/4) - Terror State & Propaganda

2.1.7End of Topic Test - Propaganda

2.1.8Economic Policies

2.1.9Economic Policies 2

2.1.10Impact Of Economic Policies

2.1.11Impact Of Economic Policies 2

2.1.12End of Topic Test - Economic Policies

2.1.13Social Policies

2.1.14Social Policies 2

2.1.15Volksgemeinschaft

2.1.16End of Topic Test - Social Policies

2.1.17A-A* (AO3/4) - Economic & Social Policies

2.2The Racial State 1933-1941

2.2.1The Radicalisation Of The State

2.2.2Anti-Semitism

2.2.3Development Of Anti-Semitic Policies

2.2.4Development Of Anti-Semitic Policies 2

2.2.5End of Topic Test - Anti-Semitism

2.2.6Treatment of the Jews in the Early Years of War

2.2.7Deportation & Anti-Semitism Evaluation

2.2.8End of Topic Test - Early Treatment of the Jews

2.2.9A-A* (AO3/4) - The Racial State

2.3The Impact Of War 1939-1945

2.3.1Home Front

2.3.2Impact On Society

2.3.3Impact On Society 2

2.3.4End of Topic Test - Impact of the War

2.3.5War Economy

2.3.6War Economy 2

2.3.7Policies Towards The Jews & Untermenschen

2.3.8A-A* (AO3/4) - Impact of the War

2.3.9End of Topic Test - War Economy

2.3.10Opposition

2.3.11Opposition 2

2.3.12Nazi State by 1945

2.3.13End of Topic Test - Opposition

2.3.14A-A* (AO3/4) - Opposition & The State in 1945

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