Would Hitler have come to power still if the Reichstag had said no to his demands?

Question

If so, why? And how would it have prevented the consequences of his terrorist reign?

Answer 1

I think this question is not concerning the Chancellorship, which was given to him as a compromise between his unpopular predecessor, Kurt von Schleicher, and the President of Germany, Paul von Hindenburg. [The National Socialist German Workers' Party had not a majority in the Reichstag, so Hitler had to be appointed, but not by the voters]

I view this question as asking if the Enabling Act after the Reichstag Fire as well as him assuming the presidency of Germany in 1934 after von Hindenburg's death were preventable.

First of all, it was not the Reichstag that approved of the Enabling Act. That was a power von Hindenburg had, and willingly gave it. Germany had been in political turmoil for years, and it was felt the Enabling Act would settle things down. It is unlikely he would've said no to Hitler's request. While von Hindenburg had once had a low opinion of "that Bohemian corporal", Hitler treated him with utmost respect and deference and wound up being on good terms with the German president. In fact, von Hindenburg granted every request during Hitler's chancellorship but one, to remove Jews from the German Civil Service.

Second, unless Hitler were to die before Hindenburg's death, he would've assumed the presidency anyway due to a clause in the Weimar Constitution that stated in the event of the president's incapacitation or death, the chancellor would become president.

The last chance to prevent Hitler from taking total power was during a plebiscite two weeks after von Hindenburg's death, in which the question was put to the German voters whether the offices of the chancellorship and presidency should be combined. Around 90% of Germans voted Yes, and I would say that Hitler's dictatorship assumed effective August 19, 1934.

Answer 2

Solid question-I think there was a window of opportunity that existed where Hitler's plans could have been thwarted if Germans had more respect for their own constitution. German centrists should have shown more backbone. The communists etc. had no more respect for the constitutional process than the Nazis, but the center should not have aquiesed so easily.

It's easy to blame Hindenburg, but there were plenty of non-Nazi Reichstag legislators who sided with the Nazis for whatever reasons. Without the passage of the enabling act, the Nazis would have remained a political party amongst others-albeit the most powerful party.

Answer 3

No He would not have come to power, think about the period between elections. The odds are that He would have been assassinated long before He came close to obtaining 'legitimate' power.

Answer 4

I think he would have. I'm currently reading 'Adolf Hitler' by John Toland, published in the mid 1970s. Toland really researched this lengthy book thoroughly. I can't answer why in this format, but you'll find your answer if you read this book.

Answer 5

He was VOTED to power by the German people. You might want to read a bit of history once in a while.