The Nazis won many votes, but Hitler did not win a direct election for chancellor. President Hindenburg appointed him on 30 January 1933.
In July 1932, the Nazis became the largest party in the Reichstag. Largest did not mean a majority: they had more seats than any other single party, but fewer than half of all seats. Their vote share fell in November, although they remained the largest party. Hitler had also lost the presidential election to Paul von Hindenburg earlier in 1932.
Governments struggled to find enough parliamentary support. Franz von Papen, a former chancellor, and other conservative politicians wanted to use Hitler's large following to strengthen a government they expected to control. They planned a cabinet, the group of senior government ministers, in which most ministers would not be Nazis.
Hindenburg agreed to appoint Hitler chancellor on 30 January 1933. Nazi popularity made Hitler valuable to Papen and his allies, but their negotiations and Hindenburg's decision explain how he actually entered office. They underestimated his ability to remove the limits they thought would restrain him.
Appointment was the start of a further struggle for power. Being in government gave the Nazis access to state resources and police powers, which they used against opponents. Hitler becoming chancellor and Hitler establishing a dictatorship were connected developments, but they were not the same event.
Worked example: Choose a cause that happened before the event
You are asked why Hitler became chancellor on 30 January 1933.
- Nazi election results help explain why Papen wanted Hitler's supporters behind the government.
- Papen's negotiations and Hindenburg's power to appoint a chancellor explain the final decision.
- The Reichstag fire happened on 27 February, almost a month later. It can help explain how Hitler strengthened his rule, but cannot explain an appointment that had already happened.
Watch out for this
The Reichstag fire caused Hitler's appointment as chancellor.
Hitler was appointed on 30 January 1933. The fire happened on 27 February. Explain his appointment first, then the steps by which he strengthened his control.
Check your understanding
Why did becoming the largest party not automatically make Hitler chancellor?
- The Nazis lacked an outright electoral majority, and Hindenburg had to choose to appoint Hitler.
- The Nazis had no popular support.
- Hitler became chancellor only after Hindenburg died.