Some historians view Brüning as the 'grave-digger of the Republic', highlighting the role that key governmental figures played in the shift away from democracy. Whilst this view does highlight the growing complacency, arrogance and self-interest of governmental elites in these years, it bears no resemblance to the complete abdication of responsibility from those who wielded power in the years following Brüning's dismissal. Although Hitler and the party he led had grown to become the biggest party by July 1932 with considerable influence, the route to the Chancellorship was still determined by others. Rather than seizing power in 1933, as the Party would later claim, Hitler was handed the chancellorship as part of an elite power strategy.

Speaker-Rhys

Producers-Sam and Toby

Music-Sam