It Was the Severity of the Economic Crisis Which Brought Adolf Hitler to Power.” How Far Do You Agree with This Opinion.

“It was the severity of the economic crisis which brought Adolf Hitler to power.” How far do you agree with this opinion.

Hitler’s rise to power was affected by many long and short term causes, the economic crisis being only one of them. Whilst the Wall Street Crash and thus the great depression was arguably one of the most significant short term causes, it would ultimately be the long term causes, such as the peoples growing resentment towards the Weimar Government due to the events of the First World War (WW1) and therefore the Treaty of Versailles that would lead Hitler to victory.

Undoubtedly Germany’s economic situation gave Hitler the opportunity he needed in order to get in a position of power. The Wall Street Crash had effects that rippled around the world, and it was the US’s need for it’s loans given to Germany that triggered Germany’s economic collapse. With employment, poverty and malnourishment spreading through the country, the people wanted someone to blame and someone who was willing to give extreme solutions, both of which Hitler provided. Not only were the loans from the US having to be paid back, but their industry nearly came to a halt, their exports being used for repayment. This in turn lead to many workers being laid off, meaning even less money for the average German family and a further decline in living standards. Hitler wasn’t the only one who adapted the presentation of both himself and his party in order to appeal to the population, but he was arguably the most successful in doing so, the Nazi seats in the Reichstag rising to 230 in July 1932, a massive increase since the 12 they held in 1928. The collapse of the economy caused serious political and economic instability, which Hitler took full advantage of. Furthermore, the Weimar Republic was seriously undermined and made further unpopular by their repetitive failing policy to try and solve the crisis. However, it seems unwise...