Several factors worked to Hitler's advantage in the early 1930s.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2023). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1-4] Level 1 One mark for each relevant point; additional mark for supporting detail
2. [1] The Reichstag building housed the German Parliament.
3. [1] It burnt down in 1933/just after Hitler became Chancellor/prior to the March election.
4. [1] A Dutch Communist was arrested in the grounds.
5. [1] His name was van der Lubbe.
6. [1] He was accused of starting the fire.
7. [1] Hitler claimed there was a Communist plot against the state.
8. [1] President Hindenburg issued an emergency decree which increased police powers.
9. [1] Hitler used the fire to whip up fear of the Communists.
10. [1] There were rumours that the Nazis had started the fire.
11. [6] Level 4 Explains TWO reasons
12. [4-5] Level 3 Explains ONE reason
13. [4] Hitler was beginning to see Röhm as a threat because he was expressing disappointment with Nazi achievements and arguing in favour of a 'second revolution'. This would have involved introducing radical policies such as nationalisation which would have upset business leaders. Therefore Hitler decided to purge the Nazis and destroy Röhm and this was known as the Night of the Long Knives.
14. [2-3] Level 2 Identifies AND/OR describes reasons
15. [1] To secure Hitler's position.
16. [1] To remove opposition.
17. [1] Hitler needed the support of the senior army officers.
18. [1] To remove Röhm from power.
19. [1] Röhm wanted to merge the SA with the army and take control of the army.
20. [1] Industrialists considered Röhm's second revolution too much like communism.
21. [1] Röhm could be a rival for the leadership of the Nazi Party with four million SA supporters.
22. [1] The SA's continued violence was an embarrassment to Hitler so he wanted to remove them.
23. [1] Level 1 General answer lacking specific contextual knowledge
24. [1] Many enemies of Hitler were killed on the Night of the Long Knives.
25. [10] Level 5 Explains with evaluation of 'how far'
26. [7-9] Level 4 Explanation of both sides
27. [4-6] Level 3 One-sided explanation OR one explanation of both sides 5 to 6 marks
28. [4] Having powerful supporters was important to Hitler. Wealthy businessmen and industrialists gave funds to the Nazi Party to help their election campaigns because they were afraid of what would happen if the Communists gained control of the Reichstag. They also put pressure on Hindenburg to make Hitler Chancellor.
29. [4] However, there were other factors which were more important. Hitler became Chancellor because von Papen persuaded Hindenburg that it would be better to have Hitler in the government rather than making trouble outside it. He also persuaded Hindenburg that Hitler could be controlled and that the government would benefit from the popular support which the Nazis attracted.
30. [2-3] Level 2 Identifies AND/OR describes
31. [1] Wealthy industrialists supported Hitler as he hoped to eliminate communism.
32. [1] Industrialists would not have to worry about strikes and trade unions.
33. [1] Industrialists liked the order he promised to bring to Germany.
34. [1] Industrialists provided funds for his propaganda campaign.
35. [1] Industrialists hoped to gain advantageous state contracts and subsidies.
36. [1] Hitler had plans to solve the problems of the Great Depression.
37. [1] Hitler made widespread use of propaganda.
38. [1] Hitler was popular because he attacked the Treaty of Versailles.
39. [1] Despite losing votes and seats, the Nazis remained the largest party in the Reichstag.
40. [1] Hitler demanded to be Chancellor. Hindenburg refused.
41. [1] Von Papen could not form a stable government.
42. [1] Von Schleicher could not command a Reichstag majority without Nazi co-operation.
43. [1] At the end of January, von Papen persuaded Hindenburg to appoint Hitler as Chancellor.
44. [1] The agreement was that von Papen would be Vice-Chancellor.
45. [1] The calculation was that without a majority the extreme Nazi policies could be resisted.
46. [1] Level 1 General answer lacking specific contextual knowledge
47. [1] Hitler's ideas were popular.