"Why did Hindenburg appoint Hitler as Chancellor in 1933?"

Essay by Offensivename May 2006

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Hitler's rise to power and his appointment as Chancellor in 1933 by Hindenburg, was the result of several, often enduring factors that effected Germany and Hitler's own approach to increasing his influence and support throughout the country. The most significant of these issues can be said to be the long-term bitterness experienced by the German people - due to the World War One and ruthless demands of the Treaty of Versailles, an ineffective constitution which lead to numerous weak government and the mounting support for Hitler and the Nazi Movement.

Deep anger about the First World War and the Treaty of Versailles created an underlying bitterness to which Hitler's viciousness and expansionism appealed. The harsh expectations of Versailles left the German people resentful towards the new democratic government of Germany who had been forced to sign, and many felt that their great country had become weakened aided by this inexperienced political system.

Under the Treaty they were also made to endure huge losses of territory, war guilt and reparations - compensation paid to the allies due to the War. These payments furthered hostility as the Germany economy began to suffer greatly, many of the country's industries had been lost when their territory was taken away. Additionally the 'unexpected' defeat of the War resulted in a sour atmosphere in Germany and a simple explanation for their downfall quickly spread. It was claimed that the German army had been 'stabbed in the back' by unpatriotic and weak politicians - according to this view the army had been a formidable fighting force until the end and could have gone on to win. Germany had not been defeated on the battlefield but by pacifists and socialists who undermined the war effort, and the new government had arranged an unnecessary armistice and then accepted...