Growth and Expansion of the Nazi Party 1933 - 1934 Essay

Growth and Expansion of the Nazi Party 1933 - 1934 - Essay Example This research tells that on November 9, 1918, just two days before the end of World War I, the German Emperor, William II abdicated and signed the armistice that ended the war. This was followed by major reparation payment demands and other reforms that caused massive hardships for Germany in the interwar period. Elections were held in January 1919 which elected a national assembly that was to draft a new constitution. The Weimar constitution gave way to much more liberal methods of governance as opposed to the authoritarianism and militarism of the previous regime and government. The constitution also gave way to the formation of two houses of parliament. This included the lower house, the Reichstag which was to be constituted by elected parliamentarians chosen by the German people through a universal adult suffrage. The model of the constitution was such that small parties were guaranteed seats in the parliament and it was virtually impossible for any single party to control the Re ichstag. This created cracks in the constitutional system of Germany which gave rise to the Nazi party and ultimately, the rise of Hitler as the supreme authority of Germany. The Weimar Republic’s constitution made it imperative for the President to appoint the Chancellor and the Reichstag had the power to interrogate the chancellor candidate and could pass a vote of no confidence in such a candidate. The President could also dissolve the Reichstag in emergency situations through Article 48. In 1930, there had been numerous situations where the German President, Paul von Hindenburg had bypassed the Reichstag in making numerous decisions. This set a precedent in which the German parliament was seen as a weak body that did not have its own will or own position in matters and situations. This created cracks that Hitler could exploit in order to take up a position in the government. After winning the most seats in 1932, Hitler had won the election and was in line to become chance llor in January 1933. Paul von Hindenburg, the German President moved to dissolve parliament and asked for new elections. This is because Hindenburg did not like the ideologies of Hitler. He, therefore, dissolved the Reichstag and asked for fresh elections.