Many factors contributed to the rise of the Nazis.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2022). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] Peasant farmers in northern Germany supported the Nazis.
2. [1] Middle-class shopkeepers supported the Nazis.
3. [1] Small business owners in country towns supported the Nazis.
4. [1] People who viewed Weimar's art, literature and film as immoral supported the Nazis.
5. [1] Nationalists supported the Nazis.
6. [1] Ex-soldiers supported the Nazis.
7. [1] Hitler claimed it was proof of a Communist plot against the state.
8. [1] Hitler took the opportunity to whip up public fear against Communists.
9. [1] It gave him the opportunity to persuade President Hindenburg to issue a Reichstag Fire decree.
10. [1] The decree curbed personal freedoms and increased police powers.
11. [1] It gave the opportunity to arrest Communists and thus remove a threat to the Nazis.
12. [1] He was able to ban the Communist Party.
13. [1] He closed down Communist newspapers.
14. [Level 3/4 explanation example] The fire was important to Hitler because it gave him an excuse to get rid of the Communists. Hitler claimed the fire was proof of a Communist plot. He persuaded Hindenburg to issue an emergency decree which allowed the police to arrest Communists, thus removing a threat to his quest to consolidate his power.
15. [1] The Putsch was easily suppressed.
16. [1] Hitler's trial attracted a lot of publicity.
17. [1] Hitler wrote Mein Kampf while in prison.
18. [1] Hitler realised he should try to gain power through legal means.
19. [1] The Nazi Party was banned.
20. [Level 3 explanation example - Did not benefit Hitler] In the short term, the Putsch did not benefit Hitler. When Hitler and members of the SA marched through the streets of Munich, they were met by the police and army and the Putsch was easily crushed. Hitler had hoped for support from the Bavarian Prime Minister but this did not materialise. The Putsch was no threat to the Weimar government.
21. [Level 3 explanation example - Benefited Hitler] Although the Putsch had failed, Hitler benefited in the long term. He gained a lot of publicity through the Putsch and only served a short sentence. He now understood that his tactics had been wrong and went on to re-organise the Party and make it more popular and professional.