Hitler's Rise To Power

The main reason for Hitler's rise to power was due to the Treaty of Versailles. Argue your case

The main contributing reason for Adolf Hitler's rise to power in Germany was due to the Treaty of Versailles, which saw Germany face territorial losses, reparations for the damage caused by WW1, and the blame for starting WW1. However, there were many other contributing factors which aided Hitler's rise to power, such as his exceptional personality, the Great Depression, the weakness of the Weimar Government, and the use of efficient and special tactics by the Nazi Party.

The defeat of the Germany in WW1 left many Germans bitterly angry and shattered by the Treaty of Versailles, which was drawn up by leaders of Allied parties. The Treaty of Versailles saw Germans hard hit, as Germany faced territorial losses Ð'- more than 13% of Germany was taken by Allied countries, and its most productive industrial land, the Rhineland, was taken over my the Allies. The Treaty of Versailles also saw the removal of the Kaiser, and the creation of a "democratic" nation. It also saw Germany forced to pay reparations for the damage caused by the war; yet the peace term most resented by Germans alike, was the fact that the Germany was solely to blame for causing the war. The German public was acrimoniously angry by the "peace terms" stated in the Treaty of Versailles, and was looking for someone to blame. The Nazi Party, led by Hitler gave Germans someone to blame Ð'- the new Weimar government. Through his powerful speeches, Hitler reminded the German people of the November Criminals Ð'- the Weimar Government for signing the Treaty of Versailles, and agreeing to the November 11th Armistice. Adolf Hitler said what the people wanted to hear, that he wanted to tear up the Versailles treaty and get Germany back to the way it was before the war.

Hitler and his private army, the Sturmabteilung, attempted to overthrow the government in Munich, Bavaria. The movement, called "The Putsch" was easily defeated by the army and police. However, "the Putsch" launched the Nazis onto the national scene in Germany. Hitler was put on trial, and used his time in the spotlight to provoke public interest in his party's policies. Hitler was convicted and sent to prison on a sentence for five years, although he only served less than 9 months of his sentence. After learning from his mistake, Hitler and The Nazis used the election process to achieve power. This did not mean that the Nazis were now a law abiding party. By 1932 they gained a reputation for thuggery through their intimidation of other parties, yet they did not achieve absolute majority. Soon Hitler was invited to become Chancellor (Prime Minister) by rival politicians who though they would cash in on the popularity of the Fascists and control Hitler in parliament. They were hugely mistaken, as in an Enabling Act of 1833, Hitler capitalized on the disillusionment of all other political parties and was proclaimed Fuhrer (leader). The Government weakness was just one of many contributing factors which influenced Hitler's rise to power.

Another contributing reason for Hitler's rise to power was due to his enthralling personality. Hitler was regarded by many people, not only in Germany, but around the world as a dynamic, enthralling speaker. He expertly used theses skills to appeal to order, and to show contempt for Germany's present economical and social position and appeal to the glorious days of Fredrick the Great, Bismarck and to the future. Hitler understood the needs of the German people, one of which being that they didn't want to be held responsible for their own problems. Since 1918 Germany had had lots of problems; the defeat in WW1, the Treaty of Versailles, the hyperinflation of the early 1920's, and the Great Depression. However, Hitler being the powerful speaker he was knew how to reach the people, and help them with their hopes, dreams, and fears. Hitler capitalized on Germany's fears by offering all things to all people Ð'- jobs for the unemployed, security for the nation, removal of the threat of Bolshevism, markets for goods Ð'- which heavily appealed to farmers, factory workers and small businesses, and perhaps most importantly he promised a secure place to raise a family and good times for all Ð'- except the Jews and Communists, whom he made the scapegoats for Germany's problems.

Hitler was a strong and manipulating character, with extraordinary leadership skills, in which he gained support through the use of propaganda Ð'- heavily helped by Joseph Goebbels, campaigning and by force. The Nazis made the most of their technology at the time. Radio was used for the first time in the 1932 presidential election. Hitler was chartered around on plane flights to speak to four of five rallies per day. Radio Broadcasts, rallies, millions of election posters, as well as marches and parades carried the Nazi message into every town and home in Germany. By force, Hitler established a "private army" called the SA (Brown shirts), who appealed to many for its solidarity, sense of belonging, and its image of power. It gave ordinary people the impression that the Nazis were organized, powerful, and would do something Ð'- especially against the Communists and Jews who many saw as being trouble makers.

Another major, influential reason for Hitler's rise to power came at the time of the Great Depression. The Great Depression signaled a desperate situation in Germany, whereby America was forced to recall the loans Germany had borrowed to pay for WW1 damages. This forced German businesses to close, German exports to severely slump, and millions of Germans to become unemployed. The Great Depression was a time of extreme poverty in Germany, which furthered weakened the already brittle Weimar Government. The Great Depression was a gift to Hitler and the Nazis, who promised to get rid of "the enemy within"(Jews, Communists, and the Weimar Republic) who were destroying Germany. For every problem the Depression raised, they miraculously had a solution to. At a time where the Weimar Government was at its weakest, Germany needed a strong leader, which most Germans seemingly believed was Adolf Hitler. He promised