Reply #20: a few more [View All]

[Kellanved]

- it's von Hindenburg, not Hindenberg.
- When Hitler first became chancellor the NSDAP held 33.1%
- Backdoor deals were quite usual
- the Reichstag was made up by many small parties; the chancellor always came from a party with a non-absolute majority (sometimes no majority at all)
- appointment was the constitutional way to become chancellor
- several Governments failed prior to Hitler's appointment; Hitler's helper's to power, von Papen's, among them.
- the social situation in the Weimar republic is in no way comparable to the USA now. Misguided Kaiser-loyalists and general anti-democratic sentiments helped the Nazi's.
- the first real unconstitutional act was the banning of the Communist party, just after the 1933 (the final) elections. The Social Democrats were the only party to oppose the move; they were banned shortly thereafter.