3.12 - Negotiations Leading to Hitler as Chancellor
Key facts and dates
The negotiations in January 1933 were a pivotal moment in German history, marking the culmination of political manoeuvring that led to Adolf Hitler's appointment as Chancellor. This timeline captures the critical events and dynamics that shaped this turning point amid a backdrop of economic crisis and political instability.
Timeline of key events
- Early January 1933 – Negotiations intensify between Hitler, Papen, and conservative elites.
- Mid-January 1933 – Papen convinces Hindenburg to consider Hitler as Chancellor in a conservative-dominated coalition.
- 30 January 1933 – Hitler appointed Chancellor with only three Nazi ministers in the cabinet.
- Post-appointment 1933 – Hitler quickly moves to consolidate power, disregarding initial constraints.
The political context and key players in January 1933
By January 1933, Germany was in a state of political turmoil following years of economic hardship and unstable governments under the Weimar Republic. The inability to form a stable majority in the Reichstag, coupled with rising political extremism, set the stage for intense negotiations to resolve the crisis.
Key figures and background factors
- Weimar instability - Repeated failures to establish a working government after the 1932 elections left Germany vulnerable to radical solutions, with no party able to secure a clear mandate.
- Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party - As leader of the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP), Hitler had built significant mass support through propaganda and promises of national revival, making the Nazis a powerful political force.
- Franz von Papen - A conservative politician and former Chancellor, Papen harboured resentment after being replaced by Kurt von Schleicher, driving him to seek alliances that could restore his influence.
- Paul von Hindenburg - The ageing President of Germany, Hindenburg held the power to appoint the Chancellor and leaned towards authoritarian governance to restore order.
- Kurt von Schleicher - The incumbent Chancellor in early 1933, Schleicher opposed Hitler's appointment, warning of the dangers it posed, but lacked sufficient support to maintain his position.
Hitler's demands and strategic approach during negotiations
Hitler entered the negotiations with a clear and uncompromising stance, leveraging the Nazi Party's popular support to push for maximum power. His approach combined firm demands with a calculated willingness to accept temporary constraints.
Hitler's key demands and tactics
- Chancellorship over Vice-Chancellorship - Hitler insisted on being appointed Chancellor, rejecting conservative proposals to serve as Vice-Chancellor under a different leader, recognising that only the top role would grant him the authority to shape policy.
- Ministerial control - He demanded the freedom to appoint key ministers, ensuring Nazi influence within the government despite a limited number of cabinet positions.
- Strategic patience - While accepting a coalition with only three Nazi ministers initially, Hitler planned to use this foothold to dismantle constraints later, demonstrating a ruthless long-term vision for total control.
The role of Franz von Papen in facilitating Hitler's rise
Franz von Papen played a crucial role in brokering the deal that brought Hitler to power, driven by personal ambition and a desire to undermine Schleicher. His actions bridged the gap between conservative elites and the Nazi Party.
Papen's contributions to the negotiations
- Personal resentment - Having been ousted as Chancellor by Schleicher, Papen sought revenge and saw an alliance with Hitler as a means to regain political relevance.
- Negotiations with Hitler - Papen engaged directly with Hitler, proposing a coalition government where Hitler would be Chancellor but surrounded by a conservative majority to limit his influence.
- Influencing Hindenburg - Papen convinced President Hindenburg that this arrangement, with only three Nazi ministers (Hitler as Chancellor, Wilhelm Frick as Interior Minister, and Hermann Göring as Minister without Portfolio), would allow conservatives to control Hitler and use Nazi support for their own agenda.
President Hindenburg's motivations and overcoming objections
President Hindenburg's decision to appoint Hitler was shaped by his own political preferences and the advice of key figures around him. Despite initial reservations, he was ultimately persuaded to take the risk.
Hindenburg's reasons and the resolution of doubts
- Desire for authoritarian rule - Hindenburg favoured a return to strong, centralised governance over the democratic chaos of the Weimar Republic, seeing Hitler's mass support as a tool to achieve this.
- Conservative agenda - He believed the Nazi base could be harnessed to bolster conservative policies, aligning with his vision for Germany.
- Assurances of control - Advisers, including Papen and Hindenburg's own son, Oskar, reassured him that Hitler could be constrained within a conservative-dominated cabinet, minimising the risks of Nazi radicalism.
- Overcoming objections - Despite warnings from Schleicher and others about Hitler's unpredictability, Hindenburg's reservations were softened by these assurances and his frustration with ongoing instability, leading to the final decision on 30 January 1933.
The influence of business, industrialists, and conservative alliances
Support from business leaders and traditional conservative factions was instrumental in legitimising Hitler's appointment, though their backing was often pragmatic rather than ideological. These groups prioritised stability and anti-communism over concerns about Nazi policies.
Key external influences on the negotiations
- Business and industrialist perspectives - While many were wary of the Nazis' radical rhetoric, prominent industrialists supported the idea of a stable government to counter the growing threat of communism and restore economic order.
- The Harzburg Front - This earlier alliance, formed in 1931, represented cooperation between the Nazis and traditional conservative nationalist groups, including the German National People's Party (DNVP). It laid the groundwork for the political partnership seen in 1933, reflecting a shared interest in dismantling Weimar democracy.
- Pragmatic support - Both business elites and conservatives hoped that integrating Hitler into a coalition would moderate his policies while leveraging Nazi popularity to strengthen their own positions against leftist movements.
The tragic miscalculation of underestimating Hitler
The belief that Hitler could be controlled within a conservative framework proved to be a catastrophic error. This misjudgement by Papen, Hindenburg, and their allies ignored critical warning signs about Hitler's intentions and capabilities.
Consequences of underestimation
- Assumption of control - Key figures believed that a majority of conservative ministers in the cabinet would limit Hitler's power, underestimating his political skill and determination to centralise authority.
- Ignoring ruthlessness - Negotiators failed to account for Hitler's willingness to use violence, propaganda, and legal loopholes (such as the Enabling Act later in 1933) to eliminate opposition and constraints.
- Rapid power consolidation - Within months of his appointment on 30 January 1933, Hitler exploited events like the Reichstag Fire to suppress dissent, dismantle democratic structures, and establish a dictatorship, revealing the fatal flaw in the assumption that he could be managed.
- Historical impact - This miscalculation enabled the Nazi regime's rise, leading to devastating consequences for Germany and the world, as the conservative hope for a contained Hitler gave way to unchecked authoritarianism.