The Achievement of Power by the Nazis in 1933

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The Achievement of Power by the Nazis in 1933

The Weimar Republic emerged from the defeat in World War One. A war,

which crippled the German Economy. Germany was unstable at this time

and after the formation of the Weimar republic, the constitution

became weak. The economic problems the Weimar Republic faced

accelerated its downfall as the problems stuck those who felt that the

Republic had already betrayed them. The reparations program imposed on

Germany that they did not pay caused the French occupation of the Ruhr

in January 1923, and led to the total collapse of the Germany

currency. The Republic had mainly survived the 20s because of economic

stability. However, the hyperinflation hit the middle-class the worst

wiping out bank accounts and pension funds, this left then traumatised

and confidence in the Republic dropped further. From 24-29 the US

loans from the Dawes Plan was a facade of economic recovery,

short-term loans were being used for long-term investments. Although

it was seen at the time the Republic was at a stage of relative

stability, economic disaster and the death of Stresemann, who had been

a key figure for the Republic in 1929, left the Republic destabilized

once again. Once the Wall Street Crash occurred, any loyalty had been

broken and the Republic was left to suffer its own demise. The Weimar

republic was successful for some time but people always felt

resentment towards the republic due to the Long-term implications of

the First World War and the Treaty of Versailles.

The German people didn't want communism, which was the other option so

they turned to Nazism, as it was the only alternative. People feared
...

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...itler made an agreement with von Papan on 4

January 1933 to obtain Chancellorship for himself, the end of the

Republic was at hand and a new authoritarian regime had begun.

In the end it was the actions of the people at the top that reinforced

the collapse of popular confidence in the democracy. Together with an

initially weak political system, an economy in slump and the not too

distant memories of the war and Versailles, it was easy for the Nazis

to advertise the benefits of authoritarian government. Even though

there was a short period of relative stability, the onset of

depression brought hidden flaws to the surface again once more.

Democracy was in unreliable hands and the Nazis could offer

competence, certainty and an all-important sense of confidence,

something the Weimar Republic lacked during all of its years.

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