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Weimar Republic to Hitler's Chancellorship | ISC Class 11

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HistoryISC Class 11 · Rise of Nazism under Hitler in Germany

Weimar Weaknesses, Hitler's Appointment and Popularity (ISC Class 11 History)

Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked

The Weimar Republic, born in defeat and burdened by Versailles, proportional representation, Article 48, hyperinflation (1923) and the Depression, lost the people's trust. The Nazis became the largest party in July 1932; backstairs intrigue by conservatives led President Hindenburg to appoint Hitler Chancellor on 30 January 1933, when Nazi votes had begun to fall.

Notice that the Depression pushed the Nazi vote to its peak in July 1932, yet Hitler was appointed only after the vote had started to fall.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand Weimar Weaknesses, Hitler's Appointment and Popularity

Weakness of Weimar. (1) Born of defeat: republican leaders signed the armistice and Versailles, and nationalists called them "November criminals" and spread the "stab in the back" myth. (2) Proportional representation produced many parties and short-lived coalitions. (3) Article 48 allowed rule by emergency decree. (4) Enemies on left and right: Spartacist rising (1919), Kapp Putsch (1920), Hitler's Beer Hall Putsch (1923); hostile army, judges and civil servants. (5) Hyperinflation (1923): after France occupied the Ruhr over late reparations the government printed money and savings were wiped out. (6) Dependence on short-term American loans (Dawes Plan). (7) The Depression: loans recalled; about 6 million unemployed by 1932; Bruning governed by decree from 1930; Nazi vote from 2.6 per cent (1928) to over 37 per cent (July 1932).

1932-33. Presidential election (March-April 1932): Hindenburg re-elected; Hitler about 37 per cent in the second round. Hindenburg dismissed Bruning (30 May) and appointed von Papen (1 June). July 1932: Nazis 230 seats, largest party; Hitler's demand for the chancellorship refused (August). November 1932: Nazis down to 196 seats, short of money; Communists gained. December 1932: Schleicher replaced Papen but failed to win a majority. January 1933: Papen negotiated with Hitler (meeting at von Schroder's house, 4 January), and with the army and landowners persuaded Hindenburg that Hitler could be controlled. 30 January 1933: Hitler appointed Chancellor, Papen Vice-Chancellor, only three Nazis in the cabinet. Hitler came to power legally, by intrigue, not by majority or force.

Popularity. The unemployed (work and bread); farmers (higher prices, protection from debt, blood and soil); middle classes ruined by inflation and Depression, fearing communism; industrialists (against communism and unions, for rearmament); nationalists and the army (tearing up Versailles); young people (Hitler Youth); Protestants and rural voters more than Catholics loyal to the Centre Party. Methods: speeches and mass rallies, Goebbels's propaganda, simple scapegoating messages, a show of discipline while the SA used street violence.

Weimar Weaknesses, Hitler's Appointment and Popularity: key facts

Nazi vote
  • 2.6% (1928)
  • Over 37% (July 1932), 230 seats
  • 196 seats (November 1932)
1932-33 chancellors
Bruningto 30 May 1932
Papen1 June
SchleicherDecember
Hitler30 January 1933
Weimar weaknesses
  • Defeat
  • Proportional representation
  • Article 48
  • Putsches
  • Hyperinflation
  • Depression
Unemployment
About 6 million by 1932 | Fell with public works

How to answer Weimar Weaknesses, Hitler's Appointment and Popularity questions

Expect 4-mark weakness or popularity items and an 8-mark question on appointment.

  1. 1List Weimar weaknesses in order from 1918 to 1930.
  2. 2Trace 1932-33 by months with chancellors.
  3. 3Explain how conservatives believed they could control Hitler.
  4. 4Link popularity to groups and methods.

Weimar Weaknesses, Hitler's Appointment and Popularity in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Seats fall

Suppose a party falls from 230 seats to 196 between two elections.

Find the fall and the percentage fall (to one decimal).

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Fall = 230 - 196 = 34 seats.
  2. Percentage = 34/230 x 100 = 14.8 per cent.

Answer: 34 seats; about 14.8 per cent.

Memory hook: Fall over original.

The vote surge

Suppose a party's vote rises from 2.6 per cent to 37 per cent.

Find the approximate multiple.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. 37/2.6 = 14.2.
  2. About fourteen times.

Answer: About 14.2 times.

Memory hook: New over old.

Tricks to remember Weimar Weaknesses, Hitler's Appointment and Popularity

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

  • BPS

    Bruning, Papen, Schleicher: three chancellors before Hitler.

    Use it when: Chancellors.

  • 30 January

    The date Hindenburg appointed Hitler Chancellor.

    Use it when: Appointment.

Weimar Weaknesses, Hitler's Appointment and Popularity: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Hitler appointed · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

Hitler was appointed Chancellor by:
(a) a majority vote of the Reichstag
(b) President Hindenburg
(c) a Nazi coup
(d) Papen alone

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. He was appointed, not elected.

Answer: (b) President Hindenburg.

Example 2: Stab in the back · 3 marks · Short answerBoard level

Explain the "stab in the back" myth and who it blamed.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Nationalists claimed the army had been betrayed at home.
  2. It blamed the republican leaders who signed the armistice and Versailles.
  3. They were called "November criminals".

Answer: A myth that the army was betrayed by the "November criminals".

Example 3: Weimar weaknesses · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

Explain four weaknesses of the Weimar Republic.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Born of defeat and tied to Versailles.
  2. Proportional representation produced unstable coalitions.
  3. Article 48 allowed rule by decree and hostile army and judges.
  4. Hyperinflation of 1923 and the Depression eroded trust.

Answer: Defeat, unstable coalitions, Article 48 and economic crises.

Example 4: Appointment · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

Explain how Hitler became Chancellor on 30 January 1933.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. The Nazis were the largest party after July 1932, but Hindenburg refused Hitler the chancellorship in August.
  2. Schleicher failed to find a majority in December 1932.
  3. Papen negotiated with Hitler in January 1933 and persuaded Hindenburg and the army that Hitler could be controlled.
  4. Hitler was appointed with only three Nazis in the cabinet.

Answer: Intrigue by Papen and conservatives led Hindenburg to appoint Hitler.

Example 5: Popularity case · 5 marks · Case-basedHOTS / competency

Case: Four voters in 1932: an unemployed worker, a small shopkeeper, a farmer and a young person. (a) Match each with a Nazi appeal. (b) Name the propaganda chief. (c) Say what the SA contributed to the image.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. (a) Worker: work and bread; shopkeeper: fear of communism and resentment of big stores and unions; farmer: higher prices and protection from debt; young person: energy and the Hitler Youth.
  2. (b) Joseph Goebbels.
  3. (c) Discipline and order, while it used violence on the streets.

Answer: (a) Work and bread; order against communism; farm protection; belonging (b) Goebbels (c) street violence.

Where students lose marks in Weimar Weaknesses, Hitler's Appointment and Popularity

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

  • Mistake: Saying Hitler won a majority in 1933

    Election confusion.

    Do this: He was appointed Chancellor; the Nazis never won a majority in free elections.

    Usually costs: 2 marks.

  • Mistake: Mixing chancellors

    Order of Bruning, Papen, Schleicher.

    Do this: Bruning (to May 1932), Papen, Schleicher, then Hitler.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Using vague popularity points

    Groups not named.

    Do this: Link each group to an appeal.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

Exam tips

  • Give a timeline for 1932-33.
  • Use the vote figures exactly.
  • Attribute the idea that Hitler could be controlled to conservatives.
  • Be factual and avoid glorifying language.

Practice questions on Weimar Weaknesses, Hitler's Appointment and Popularity

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

  1. Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

    The Beer Hall Putsch took place in:
    (a) 1919
    (b) 1920
    (c) 1923
    (d) 1932

    Hint

    Hitler in Munich.

    Answer

    (c) 1923.

  2. Q2 · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

    Explain the hyperinflation of 1923 and its effect on the middle classes.

    Hint

    Ruhr occupation, money printed.

    Answer

    After France occupied the Ruhr over late reparations the government printed money, the mark became worthless and middle-class savings were wiped out.

  3. Q3 · 2 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    The Nazi share rose from 2.6 per cent to 37 per cent. Find the increase in percentage points and the ratio.

    Hint

    Subtract and divide.

    Answer

    Increase = 34.4 percentage points; ratio about 14.2.

  4. Q4 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Why did the Nazi vote fall in November 1932 even though Hitler became Chancellor two months later?

    Hint

    No majority; money.

    Answer

    The party was short of money and the vote fell to 196 seats, but no stable majority emerged and conservatives who feared the Communists turned to Hitler through intrigue.

  5. Q5 · 3 marks · Assertion-reasonHOTS / competency

    Assertion (A): Hitler came to power legally through an appointment.
    Reason (R): Hindenburg named him Chancellor on the advice of conservatives.
    (a) Both true and R explains A
    (b) Both true but R does not explain A
    (c) A true, R false
    (d) A false, R true

    Hint

    Backstairs intrigue.

    Answer

    (a) Both A and R are true and R explains A.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

  1. 1.Hitler appointed on?Show answer

    30 January 1933.

  2. 2.Article 48 allowed?Show answer

    Rule by emergency decree.

  3. 3.Nazi seats July 1932?Show answer

    230.

  4. 4.Chancellor before Papen?Show answer

    Bruning.

  5. 5.Who was Vice-Chancellor?Show answer

    Papen.

Weimar Weaknesses, Hitler's Appointment and Popularity: frequently asked questions

Was the Nazi vote rising in January 1933?

No, it had fallen in November 1932.

What was the Dawes Plan?

American loans supporting German recovery.

Why did big business support?

Hitler promised to crush communism and unions and rearm.