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some unemployed. The most significant group of supporters was the middle class who had seen their savings ruined under Weimar and preferred to vote for the NSDAP to the Socialist party.

Hugenberg’s National party and other wealthy industrialist who approved of Hitler’s anti-communist slogan funded the Nazi campaign.

After the Wall Street crash, the illusion of a prosperous Germany dissipated so extremist parties were able to gain votes. In February 1932, Hitler became a German citizen and aimed twice for the presidency. He was defeated both times by Hindenburg,

but managed to have 13.5 million votes versus Hindenburg’s 19.5 million, proving his increasing popularity. By July 1932, the Nazi’s had 230 of 603 seats in the Reichstag. Hitler’s aim was to be Chancellor, but at first Hindenburg refused.

On January 13, 1933, Hindenburg could no longer afford to ignore the strength of the Nazi party. To avoid civil war and communist uprising, Hindenburg appointed Hitler Chancellor. This appeared to be a solution in calming the Nazi party and appeasing Hitler’s political wishes.

No one knew that this move would destroy Germany.

Now, Hitler had a position, but in order to consolidate his power, the Nazi party needed the majority vote in the Reichstag. On February 27, 1933, the Reichstag building was damaged by fire and a communist Dutchman was blamed for the crime.

The Nazis used this to coerce Hindenburg into banning communists. Still, the final multi-party election of the Weimar Republic failed to give the NSDAP the majority vote. On March 24, 1933, Hitler passed the Enabling Law which froze the Weimar constitution for four years,