How Hitler Became Chancellor
How Hitler was appointed Chancellor in January 1933: the strength of the Nazis, the distrust of Hindenburg, the political intrigue of von Papen and von Schleicher, and the miscalculation of the elites.
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How Hitler became Chancellor 🤝
By 1932 the Nazis were the largest party, but President Hindenburg would not make Hitler Chancellor at first. After the Chancellors von Papen and von Schleicher failed to govern, von Papen and the conservative elites decided they could control Hitler. They persuaded Hindenburg to appoint him Chancellor in January 1933.
Words for the road to power 🔑
Learn these four terms before you judge how Hitler took power.
Two explanations 🆚
Historians weigh two explanations for how Hitler came to power.
Grade 9 thinking 💡
To reach the top grades, assess how Hitler became Chancellor, and weigh the strength of the Nazis against the miscalculation of the conservative elites.
Match the person to their role 🔗
- Hindenburg
- von Papen
- von Schleicher
- Hitler
- the President who appointed Hitler
- the former Chancellor who plotted to control Hitler
- the Chancellor who failed just before Hitler
- the Nazi leader made Chancellor in 1933
Match the term to its meaning 🧩
- Chancellor
- President
- coalition
- intrigue
- the head of the German government
- the elected head of state
- a government of several parties together
- secret scheming for power
Why did Hindenburg agree? ❓
Why did Hindenburg finally appoint Hitler as Chancellor?
- Von Papen and the elites believed they could control Hitler in government.
- Hindenburg deeply admired Hitler.
- Hitler won an outright majority in an election.
Factors that made him Chancellor ✅
Select the TWO factors that made Hitler Chancellor.
- The Nazis were the largest party.
- The conservative elites plotted to use him.
- The Nazis won a clear majority.
- The army seized power for Hitler.
Order the road to power 🪜
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Summarise the road to power 📝
By 1932 the Nazis were the largest party, but President _____ refused Hitler at first. After von _____ and von Schleicher failed to govern, the _____ thought they could control Hitler. They persuaded Hindenburg to make him _____ in January _____.
Count the years 🔢
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Spot the two who helped 🖍️
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Nazi strength or elite mistake? 🧭
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Assess how he took power ✍️
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