Adolf Hitler Becomes Chancellor of Germany

Historical Significance and Background

On January 31, 1933, Adolf Hitler was appointed as the Chancellor of Germany. This marked the beginning of the Nazi era in Germany. Hitler's appointment was made possible by the efforts of former Chancellor Franz von Papen and President Paul von Hindenburg. Papen and Hindenburg believed that they could manipulate him to their advantage.

Development of the Event

Rise of the Party and Elections

Hitler's Nazi Party began to increase its popularity in the late 1920s. In the 1930 elections, the party made significant progress and increased its seats in the Reichstag. This allowed Hitler and his party to play a more influential role in German politics.

Chancellor Appointment

In 1932, political instability in Germany grew, and Hindenburg began to seek a solution to stabilize the country. Papen proposed appointing Hitler as Chancellor. Hindenburg supported this decision in order to diminish Hitler's popularity and control him.

Expansion of Powers

After being appointed as Chancellor, Hitler quickly increased his power. Using the events of the Reichstag fire as a pretext, he restricted basic freedoms by using emergency powers. This allowed the Nazi Party to gain more seats in the Reichstag elections.

Consequences and Effects

Hitler's appointment as Chancellor had profound effects on Germany and the world.

Short-Term Effects

After being appointed as Chancellor, Hitler strengthened the authority of the Nazi Party and established a repressive regime in Germany. Discriminatory policies were applied against Jews and other minorities. The political and social atmosphere in Germany became increasingly authoritarian.

Long-Term Results

Hitler's appointment as Chancellor led to the outbreak of World War II. The Nazi regime resulted in a major war and the commission of crimes against humanity in Europe. As a result of the war, Nazi Germany was defeated, and war criminals were prosecuted in international courts such as the Nuremberg Trials.

Historical Significance and Contemporary Implications

Hitler's appointment as Chancellor is considered a significant turning point in history. This event led to the occurrence of the Holocaust, one of the most important and horrific events of the 20th century. The Nazi regime is regarded as a warning about crimes committed against humanity and serves as an important event from which we must learn historical lessons.