This reflection comes from reading the book Hitler’s Rise to Power (The Gutenberg Galaxy), written by historian Timothy Ryback. The book focuses on the period between April 1932 and January 1933, when Hitler was appointed Chancellor. Ten months during which polarization, street conflict, and the collapse of traditional parties led to the liquidation of the Weimar Republic.
In a short period of time, Hitler received 37% of the vote in the Reichstag elections in July, failed in his attempt to be elected president, lost two million votes in the new November elections, and, after a series of unexpected events, was appointed Chancellor. Only three months earlier, President Hindenburg had announced that he would never put the National Socialist leader, whom he considered a dangerous agitator, at the head of government.
A few weeks before his appointment, Hitler was in a state of frustration. He even considered the possibility of suicide. The November results reflected a sharp decline in popular support for the National Socialist Party, as Gregor Strasser, its second-in-command, abandoned it, and the party was unable to pay its debts. His rivals von Papen and Schleicher conspired to remove him from power.
A combination of fatal errors and coincidences led Hindenburg to appoint Hitler as Chancellor on January 30, 1933 in the midst of a serious political and economic crisis. This decision led to the liquidation of the Weimar Republic and the occupation of power by the National Socialist leader, who used all resources to eliminate any trace of opposition. Socialist and communist leaders were eliminated or imprisoned. His traveling companions became irrelevant.
The rise of Hitler and the end of Weimar occurred in the context of strong social tensions, intense right-left polarization, frustration over the harsh conditions of the Treaty of Versailles and a declining economy. The system cracked and a leader emerged who promised to restore the nation’s greatness.
There are some elements that can be extrapolated from the situation in Germany in 1932 to Spain today. The tension and lack of agreements between the main parties and the delegitimization of the regime encourage the emergence of extremist forces. Let us look to the past to avoid the mistakes of the present. Weimar is a lesson.
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