Answer:
(a) Nazism grew as a result of unstable political conditions after the First World War. The Weimar Republic never enjoyed the support of the people, who regarded them as traitors because they signed the Treaty of Versailles. The provisions of the 19 I 9 Peace Treaty failed to satisfy German people. Germany was deprived of 13% of its territories including its overseas colonies. Its army was reduced to I lakh soldiers, France was given temporary control of the industrially rich Saar and a heavy sum as reparation was to be paid by Germany. All of which created a feeling of bitterness and anger among the people and fuelled a desire for revenge. Hitler promised to bring Germany's lost glory back. (b) Economically the First World War ruined Germany leading to inflation, unemployment and a crushing burden of debt. This led the people to support any individual who could improve their lot. (c) This aroused anxiety among the landlords, capitalists and the army who still wielded a good deal of political clout. These classes became ardent supporters of Hitler and helped him to come to power because he was against communism and socialism. (d) Hitler was a charismatic leader and in the political and economic chaos of the post-war period his emotional speeches attracted many supporters. His programmes appealed to all sections of the people _ the working classes were promised employment and security and the propertied classes were promised protection from communism. For the masses, he stressed on national prestige and promised to make Germany great once again. (e) However, Hitler did not come to power as a result of victory in elections and his rise to power was more the result of political intrigue. In 1932, the Nazis' did not win enough votes to form a government by themselves. But in January 1933, when it appeared that no other party could form the government, the president appointed Hitler as Chancellor. Hitler formed a coalition government and called for a new election to widen the Nazi's margin of power in the Reichstag. A few days before the election, the Reichstag was burnt down. Blaming the communists for this act, Hitler passed a series of 'emergency decrees' which in effect destroyed civil liberties in Germany. (f) Playing on German fears of a communist coup, he was able to secure a majority and he then passed the enabling laws which transferred all powers from the Reichstag to the government headed by himself. In 1934 when President Von Hindenburg died he became both President and Chancellor thus establishing himself as a dictator.
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