The Collapse of Weimar and Nazi Rise to Power 1929–1933

The destruction of the Weimar Republic and Hitler's appointment as Chancellor on 30 January 1933 is one of the most studied events in modern history. The central question is: was Hitler's rise to power inevitable, or was it the product of contingent decisions by a small group of conservative elites?

Key Definition: Machtergreifung ('seizure of power') is the Nazi term for Hitler's appointment as Chancellor. Historians increasingly prefer Machtubertragung ('transfer of power'), emphasising that conservative elites handed power to Hitler rather than him seizing it.

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The Impact of the Great Depression

The Wall Street Crash (October 1929) devastated Germany because the Weimar economy depended on short-term American loans:

Indicator	1929	1932
Unemployment	1.3 million	6 million (officially; likely higher)
Industrial production	Index 100	Index 58
Bank failures	Stable	Major banking crisis (July 1931)
Farm incomes	Already declining	Collapsed; rural radicalisation

The Depression destroyed the fragile middle ground of Weimar politics. Moderate parties lost support as voters turned to extremes — primarily the NSDAP and, to a lesser extent, the KPD.

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The End of Parliamentary Government

The Grand Coalition (SPD, Centre, DDP, DVP, BVP) collapsed in March 1930 over disagreement about unemployment insurance funding. President Hindenburg appointed Heinrich Bruning (Centre Party) as Chancellor, governing by presidential decree under Article 48 rather than seeking a parliamentary majority.

The Presidential Chancellors (1930–1933)

Chancellor	Period	Key Features
Bruning	March 1930 – May 1932	Governed by decree; deflationary austerity worsened the Depression
Papen	June – November 1932	'Cabinet of Barons'; no Reichstag support; Preussenschlag (July 1932)
Schleicher	December 1932 – January 1933	Failed to split the NSDAP; lasted 57 days
Hitler	30 January 1933	Appointed by Hindenburg after backstairs intrigue by Papen

Bruning's deflationary policies — cutting wages, benefits, and government spending — deepened the Depression. Hans Mommsen describes the period 1930–33 as a process of 'inner erosion' — the hollowing out of democracy through Article 48 before the Nazis even took power.

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The Nazi Electoral Breakthrough

Election	NSDAP Vote	NSDAP Seats	KPD Seats
May 1928	2.6%	12	54
September 1930	18.3%	107	77
July 1932	37.3%	230	89
November 1932	33.1%	196	100
March 1933	43.9%	288	81

The NSDAP's appeal was broad but not universal: