How did Hitler become chancellor in 1933?

In January 1933 Hitler was appointed Chancellor. His rise to power was born out of a series of events, namely the Wall St Crash, the strength of the Nazi campaign, and the failure of democracy. The Wall Street Crash of 1929 drove the German economy into the ground as America recalled its loans which had been rebuilding Germany following the First World War. The ensuing crisis completely undermined the Weimar Republic and saw the growth of anti-democratic parties like the Nazis resonating with the German electorate. The Nazi campaign drove their messages home appealing to large swathes of society and offering hope through strong leadership during the crisis. Fundamentally however, while polling the highest figures in 1932 they failed to win a majority and it was the failure of the political establishment which delivered the coup de grace. The Von Hindenburg-Von Papen Pact at the start of 1933 gave Hitler a foothold on power as Chancellor as the establishment underestimated his opportunism and attempted to use and contain Hitler's popularity. All of this was born out of the Wall St. crash which changed the German people's outlook and created political instability, making the middle-class lose hope in democracy and allowing the Nazis to manipulate their way into power.

Answered by Edward S. History tutor

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