The History of WWII Podcast XX
[0] Welcome to True Spies, the podcast that takes you deep inside the greatest secret missions of all time.
[1] Suddenly out of the dark, it's a bit in love.
[2] You'll meet the people who live life undercover.
[3] What do they know?
[4] What are their skills?
[5] And what would you do in their position?
[6] Vengeance felt good seeing these.
[7] People paid for what they'd done, felt righteous.
[8] True Spies, from Spyscape Studios, wherever you get your podcasts.
[9] Hello, and thank you for listening to The History of World War II, Episode 2, Riding the Nazi Whirlwind.
[10] The last episode ended with the onset of what later became known as the Great Depression.
[11] The collapse of the economy installed fear and misery in every German heart, except Adolf Hitler's.
[12] With confusion following the fear, Hitler knew the people would be more open, even desperate, for his message of blaming the current government for their problems.
[13] But Germany's leaders, like the leaders of other countries, the global depression.
[14] Never had the world economies been so intertwined.
[15] The knee -jerk reaction by those in charge was to cut costs and stop spending.
[16] This, of course, only made matters worse.
[17] Germany's Social Democrats, the party in charge, was trying to come up with legislation to help the people, but they could not agree on the details of an unemployment insurance fund.
[18] So the leader Chancellor Hermann Mueller resigned in frustration in March of 1930 when the bill could not be passed.
[19] Mueller would be the last Social Democrat leader, as well as the last leader of a coalition of democratic parties.
[20] He was replaced by Heinrich Brüning, the leader of the Catholic Center Party.
[21] Brüning was hand -picked by General Kurt von Schleicher, who had the ear of President Hindenburg.
[22] Schleicher will play an ever -increasing role for the next three years of Germany's history.
[23] He unwittingly made it possible for Hitler to continue to grasp for power after the Nazis had passed their zenith of popularity and watched their fortunes start to fade.
[24] Schleicher used and manipulated many to get his way, but in the end was outmaneuvered by the master, Hitler.
[25] Schleicher handled the political and press issues of the army and navy.
[26] He was suave, popular with the army, and had a talent for intrigue.
[27] At the time, he was assistant to the Minister of Defense, Groner, who he would soon betray and replace.
[28] Like everyone else, Schleicher had his own ideas for solving Germany's problems.
[29] He believed that there were too many political parties and each had their own special interests.
[30] This meant that there was no compromise, which is an important part.
[31] of a stable government.
[32] Despite a special decree initiated by the new Chancellor Bruni that took certain rights from the people and the Reichstag, he could not get a majority vote on his measures to help those distressed.
[33] So he asked President Hindenburg to dissolve the Reichstag and have new elections.
[34] They were scheduled for September 14, 1930.
[35] How this was to help the country or get his bill passed, could only be guessed at.
[36] And Hitler was pleasantly surprised by the coming elections.
[37] He thought he'd be waiting longer, but was ready nonetheless.
[38] His message to the people was a list of what they wanted to hear.
[39] No reparation payments, he would repute the Versailles Treaty, he would create more jobs, provide more food, and stated repeatedly, none of this misery was Germany's fault.
[40] Previously, he had as a part of his message.
[41] It promised that he would cower the rich barons of industry, especially the Jewish ones, but took this out of his speeches as the barons were now beginning to notice him, had the means to support his party, and were looking for someone to back.
[42] He told them that he would destroy the trade unions that represented the workers.
[43] Hermann Goering, a popular flying ace of World War I, helped Hitler to make the right connections in this elite group.
[44] Hitler also told the army what they wanted to hear, as they were distrustful of the growing and disruptive SA, or Stern Uptilling, or storm section.
[45] First, that they were stabbed in the back by the republic that signed Versailles.
[46] Second, the republic did not respect the army's honor or duty to protect the fatherland from its enemies and communism.
[47] And lastly, the SA would never replace the army.
[48] and Hitler would seek power only by constitutional means, and he would be true to his word.
[49] The army, until recently, had been above politics, where it was supposed to be, but they too were looking for someone to leave the country out of the dark and started to dabble.
[50] The Nazis were excited by their chances in the election, But even they were shocked when they received 6 .4 million votes and won 107 seats in the Reichstag.
[51] They were now the second largest party overnight.
[52] But the communists had gained as well.
[53] As for the big industry and financiers throughout Germany, they realized that the republic was dying and saw their chance.
[54] Dialogue increased between the economic elites and the Nazi leaders.
[55] They assumed they could buy and control the Nazi party once it was in power.
[56] As in most cases of bad times and confusion, everyone had their own ideas and plans on how to fix the nation's woes.
[57] But Schleicher realized his plans would now have to include the Nazi party because of the election results.
[58] So he contacted Ernst Rahm of the SA a few months after the election.
[59] was the first direct contact between the Nazi party and legitimate government power, which was a key part of Hitler's plan.
[60] Schleicher and Chancellor Brüning's ultimate plan was to bring back the monarchy with the president as regent.
[61] Neither one of them thought that democracy and capitalism would work in Germany.
[62] Brüning was also trying to get the reparation payments cancelled and get approval for Germany to have a slightly larger army, if only to create jobs.
[63] And as a bonus, if he got his way, these issues would be taken away from the Nazis, whom he didn't trust or like.
[64] Before he left office, he would have some success with these issues.
[65] President Hindenburg, who was about to turn 85 and coming to the end of his seven -year term as president, was not interested in Schleicher or Brüning's plans about the monarchy.
[66] So Brüning asked the president, to extend his term in office to keep the Nazis out, who were only gaining strength during the economic crisis.
[67] The president didn't like that idea either.
[68] The three of them went round and round, trying to find a solution.
[69] Several months later, Schleicher, who didn't fear the Nazis as much as Bruning and was impressed by the turnout in the election, arranged for Hitler to meet the president in October of 1931.
[70] Here was the moment Hitler had been dreaming of for years.
[71] He would impress Hindenburg and show him that he was the answer to all of Germany's difficulties.
[72] Unfortunately for Hitler, he was still getting over the suicide of Geli Rabau, his niece.
[73] He had fallen in love with her and, by all accounts, wanted to marry her.
[74] It is not known if she returned his love or...
[75] was just enjoying the attentions of an important man. Hitler's personality would not tolerate other men in her life, or even allow the possibility of friendships that might become more in the natural course of a young girl's life.
[76] Their relationship deteriorated badly with his need for absolute control, and she killed herself in September of 1931 with his pistol.
[77] So, with his heart crushed, and knowing he played a key role in his love's death.
[78] His head was not where it should have been with his first meeting with the president.
[79] The spellbinder was not at his best, and when Hitler tried to save himself with a tirade against the republic, it was clear that Hindenburg was far from impressed, and the meeting was over.
[80] There were several more meetings between Hitler, Hindenburg, and Bruning.
[81] But the two officials could not get Hitler to agree to support another term for the president.
[82] And Hindenburg did not want the strain of another term.
[83] Schleicher knew that dealing with Hitler would not be easy.
[84] He needed a free hand and so took steps to prepare himself.
[85] First, by using Hindenburg, he got rid of his boss, Minister of Defense Groner.
[86] Groner had supported the republic.
[87] and Chancellor Brüning's moderate ideas for Germany's problems.
[88] Schleicher also decided that the Chancellor had to go next, even though Brüning's work on canceling the reparation payments and a deal that would allow Germany to increase its army seemed about to be accepted by the Allies.
[89] But industrialists with other conservative elements helped Schleicher convince Hindenburg to get rid of the Chancellor.
[90] So, on May 30th, Chancellor Bruning resigned, and the republic was no more.
[91] Now all legislative power rested with President Hindenburg, not the parliament or the people, thanks to Bruning's decree that was still in place from mid -1930.
[92] There would be another election in March of 1932, but Schleicher had a surprise for Hitler.
[93] This time it would be Hitler versus Hindenburg.
[94] Schleicher talked to President into serving as chancellor while they looked for a replacement, instead of locking himself into another seven -year term.
[95] There would be two other candidates, with the communists and nationalists putting up their men, but everyone knew it was between the two main candidates.
[96] For Hitler, this was not what he wanted.
[97] He knew the odds of his radical, openly violent party running against the beloved hero of World War I, but he also knew that he had to keep moving forward, or the party, his party, would stagnate and fall apart.
[98] Confusion reigned during the campaigning about what the two stood for.
[99] There were charges and counter charges, wild accusations and denials, much like today.
[100] Hitler traveled the country speaking to large crowds, creating a populist frenzy, while having his brown shirt bullies smash the communist political rallies.
[101] Josef Goebbels, Goering, and Gregor Strasse were well -known Nazis and held rallies as well.
[102] The Nazis took campaigning to a new level by converting entire walls of buildings with posters, handing out millions of pamphlets with simple, direct, and skewed information, and giving away copies of their newspapers.
[103] Thousands of meetings were organized every day all over Germany.
[104] They used film and recordings from loudspeakers on trucks.
[105] For the first time, everyone got to hear Hitler's voice, his best weapon.
[106] The results were unfortunate for the world.
[107] Hindenburg fell 0 .04 % short of the majority needed.
[108] Such little things contribute to history.
[109] Hindenburg received 49 .6 % of the vote.
[110] Hitler got 30 .1%.
[111] Of course, this meant a third election.
[112] So, Hitler chartered a New Yorker's passenger plane, flew everywhere, and held three or four mass rallies a day.
[113] This time, his message was all about all the good things that would happen if he were elected.
[114] He left the Nazi Revolution speeches.
[115] This election was held on April 10, 1932, and Hindenburg received 53 % of his country's vote for stability.
[116] Hitler's grew to 36 .8%, but the Nationalists polled 10 .2%.
[117] It appeared that Hitler had gone as far as he would.
[118] Looking back over the last decade of German political history, Most assumed that the Nazi wave had crested and would begin to recede.
[119] But political chaos had become a way of life for everyone, other than the common man just trying to survive.
[120] So the various political parties and interest groups continued making plans for their next moves.
[121] With an 85 -year -old leader, no one believed there would now be stability.
[122] that he needed a stronger connection to a legitimate power base, preferably a direct link with the government.
[123] The army was still warming up to him, but not ready for anything but passive political support.
[124] Big business gave money to the Nazis, but felt that they did not get much for their investment.
[125] Schleicher, who still had the ear of Hindenburg, wanted to solidify the model of a strong president.
[126] with a parliament suppressed by constitutional means.
[127] He believed that a very conservative line was the answer for Germany's problems.
[128] As the second most successful political party, he wanted Hitler's support without Hitler himself.
[129] He knew the man was uncontrollable.
[130] After he got the Nazi support, he wanted to make the SA a part of the army.
[131] If you control the Nazi political means, you might as well have their street soldiers at your beck and call to keep the communists down.
[132] Ernst Romm wanted his group to be a part of the army as well, but still under the control of Hitler.
[133] And of course, Hitler needed them for his protection.
[134] He had real and violent enemies during these turbulent times.
[135] Next, Schleicher arranged for another Hindenburg -Hitler meeting.
[136] Schleicher offered to lift the ban on the essay that he had imposed.
[137] He told Hitler that Hindenburg was selecting another cabinet, dissolving the Reichstag, and wanted Hitler's support as the leader of the second largest party.
[138] Hitler saw what was happening.
[139] There would be a chancellor with his cabinet, the Reichstag would be suppressed by decree, and the power of the people limited.
[140] There would also be new elections.
[141] and he still had some of his financial backing.
[142] What was not to like?
[143] Of course, he had his own idea about who the Chancellor should be.
[144] So, the Schleicher plan was set.
[145] The last piece was to choose a weak Chancellor whom he could control.
[146] Hitler was certainly not that piece.
[147] Here, Schleicher thought he was getting over on Hitler.
[148] He got him to agree to his plan, but now would put someone else in the Chancellor's seat.
[149] Schleicher had the president choose the non -entity Franz von Papen as chancellor.
[150] He was weak because he had no political support of his own.
[151] Even his own previous party, the Center Party, had kicked him out.
[152] Next, the cabinet was stuffed with nobility, which meant men who were out for themselves or loyal to Schleicher.
[153] They had no real governing talent or interest in doing what was best for the country.
[154] Schleicher tried to stay in the background from where he did his best work, but Hindenburg promoted him to Minister of Defense.
[155] Most of the country did not take the Cabinet seriously, but they had no say in the matter.
[156] Schleicher had Papen dissolve the Reichstag on June 4th and set July 31st as the date for new elections.
[157] The ban on the essay was lifted, as was promised.
[158] and an unprecedented wave of violence and murder was launched, mostly against the communists.
[159] Welcome to True Spies.
[160] The podcast that takes you deep inside the greatest secret missions of all time.
[161] Suddenly out of the dark, it's a bit of bin Laden.
[162] You'll meet the people who live life undercover.
[163] What do they know?
[164] What are their skills?
[165] And what would you do in their position?
[166] Vengeance felt good.
[167] Seeing these people pay for what they'd done felt righteous.
[168] True Spies from Spyscape Studios, wherever you get your podcasts.
[169] was shocked into inaction.
[170] Only the Nazis and communists dared go out on the streets.
[171] Finally, getting over his shock, Papen banned all political parades two weeks before the election.
[172] Once again, the Nazis used their organizational skill and threw themselves into the campaigning.
[173] Hitler had promised Hindenburg he would support Papen publicly, but this did not mean that Goebbels and the other Nazi officials could not.
[174] Hitler had the cabinet's weaknesses attacked through the media while he would stop by the chancellor's office to complain about the ban that stopped his violence against the communists.
[175] Schleicher was not the only one who could deal from the bottom.
[176] The election won the Nazis 230 seats of the 608 -seat Reichstag.
[177] Impressive as this was, it was still short of a majority.
[178] The Social Democrats who didn't dare campaign through the Nazi -Communist street battles, still won 133 seats.
[179] The Communists had captured 89 seats.
[180] The Catholic Center Party had won 73 seats.
[181] Hitler had played Schleicher's game better than the author.
[182] Hindenburg was back above politics as the president, and Hitler had the largest party in the Reichstag.
[183] So he confidently went to Schleicher with his demands.
[184] of political power for the Nazi party, with him at the head of the government.
[185] Schleicher, not afraid of the bombastic Nazi leader and still thinking he had room to maneuver, made a counteroffer.
[186] Hitler was asked to take the position of vice chancellor, but saw it for the empty offer it was, and declined.
[187] He wanted to see the president, but Schleicher got there first.
[188] When Hitler was brought into Hindenburg's presence, that August of 1932, the president tried to browbeat Hitler.
[189] Hitler was told that he needed to cooperate and together they could work toward a coalition government.
[190] This action would prove to the president that Hitler and the Nazis could be trusted with power.
[191] Hitler did not give an answer and left.
[192] He then made the mistake of not getting back to Hindenburg.
[193] And when the story soon got out, thanks to Schleicher, It made Hitler look bad and the Nazis greedy for total control by any means.
[194] Schleicher could give as well as he got.
[195] This was one of the few times that Goebbels' amazing propaganda machine was caught totally off guard.
[196] Demoralized, Goebbels headed for the beach.
[197] Hitler, however, keeping a cooler head, decided to wait and see what would happen.
[198] Besides, he was busy keeping the impatient SA from launching an all -out coup d 'etat in Berlin.
[199] Hitler had already learned that lesson and still feared arrest or more suppression by Pappen.
[200] He knew it was his move, but decided to make it a subtle one.
[201] Hitler was sticking to his decision not to use violence, especially when there were other methods.
[202] He let word get out in August that he was considering unifying his seats in the Reichstag with those of the center party.
[203] Then he would have a majority, meeting Hindenburg's paramount demand for leadership.
[204] To make his bluff seem even more real, he had the two parties vote together to make Goering president of the Reichstag.
[205] It was a classic Hitler chess move.
[206] To make a feint to trap your opponent.
[207] while still getting something out of it you wanted anyway.
[208] Schleicher knew he had lost this series of moves, but Papen was the one who was trapped.
[209] His only way out was to dissolve the Reichstag again to stop Hitler from taking over.
[210] And the new Reichstag would meet on September 12th.
[211] But for now, there were two more meetings to go.
[212] Papen would make a speech about his future plans, and then for the last meeting would bring the degree to dissolve already signed by the president.
[213] On his way to the second to the last meeting, Pepin heard that the communists would call for a vote of censure against his government, but that a nationalist member in support of him would veto it, thereby protecting him.
[214] The censure was called for, but no one vetoed it.
[215] Panicking, Papen called for an adjournment.
[216] He then had an aide go back to the chancellery and get the degree.
[217] He knew there wouldn't be a last session.
[218] During the recess, Hitler told the Nazi members to vote with the communists in the censure.
[219] Hitler was risking his reputation and position by voting alongside the Haiti communists on anything.
[220] But it was a necessary move.
[221] When they reconvened, Pappen asked to have the floor, but Goering, now president of the Reichstag, thanks to Hitler's move, pretended not to see him and continued on with the censure vote.
[222] Pappen started screaming, getting red in the face, and at one point even stood right in front of Goering, shouting his protests.
[223] But it did no good.
[224] The vote was taken.
[225] 513 for censure.
[226] and 32 against.
[227] The Reichstag was dissolved.
[228] There would be elections again on November 6, 1932.
[229] This would be the fourth election in a year and fifth overall.
[230] Everyone was tired, even the fanatical Nazi party workers.
[231] But if the middle class voters knew it would be their last free election before the Nazi revolution, one could be assured they would have waited in lines happily.
[232] at the voting stations.
[233] Papen felt good about his chances, even though embarrassed by the censure vote.
[234] He had the support of big business, and the Nazis were now seen as willing to do anything to achieve power when they voted along with the communists.
[235] As with most things concerning politics, Hitler's gamble won and lost.
[236] The Nazis lost 34 seats in this latest election.
[237] now down to 196.
[238] The Communists gained and went from 89 to 100 seats.
[239] The Nationalist Party that supported Pappen went from 37 to 52 seats.
[240] Schleicher's plan was now in shambles.
[241] Hitler was still strong and still in charge of the Nazi Party.
[242] But ever the agent provocateur, Schleicher realized he couldn't defeat Hitler.
[243] but maybe he could tie his hands while simultaneously giving him an offer.
[244] The first step was to give Hindenburg a maneuvering room to deal with the Nazis.
[245] So, he arranged for Poppins' resignation on November 17, 1932.
[246] He next had Hindenburg call for Hitler.
[247] Hitler came expected.
[248] The President gave Hitler two options.
[249] One, He could have the chancellorship if Hitler could get a majority in the Reichstag and draw up a definite peaceful program to fix Germany's problems.
[250] Or, option two, he could have the vice chancellorship under Pappen in a presidential cabinet ruling by emergency decree.
[251] Hitler liked neither plan, so he tried to maneuver and offered counter -options.
[252] But no agreement could be reached.
[253] Then, in his usual fashion, Schleicher made Hitler an offer behind Pappen's back.
[254] He extended a cabinet position to Hitler in a Schleicher government.
[255] But for Hitler, it amounted to the same thing.
[256] So, again, his response was no. President Hindenburg, it must be said, was trying to do the right thing.
[257] He wanted this resolved without him ending up in charge or...
[258] creating a military dictatorship.
[259] So Hindenburg, Schleicher, and Papen met again on December 1st to discuss the situation.
[260] Schleicher, normally acting behind the scenes, offered himself as chancellor in front of Papen.
[261] But Hindenburg said no, told Papen to form a new government, and I'm sure he shouted this part, get a majority.
[262] As can be imagined, Schleicher was very upset.
[263] and now turned his sights on Papen.
[264] During Papen's first cabinet meeting, Schlenker, as minister of defense, said he could not defend the country against the communists or Nazis, which made all other points of government meaningless.
[265] Frustrated, Papen went to the president, but Hindenburg, tired of it all, caved and decided to give Schlenker a try at leading the government.
[266] So, on December 2, 1932, Schleicher became Chancellor of Germany.
[267] Everyone but Schleicher knew he would not last.
[268] He had betrayed too many people and had no support, which left everyone else to make further plans for their next move when Schleicher was gone.
[269] Schleicher, at least knowing he needed some support besides the backing of the army, offered a cabinet position to Hitler, who still knew better and declined.
[270] Next, Schleicher then tried to split the Nazi party away from Hitler by offering a role in his government to the Nazis' number two man, Gregor Strasse, who wanted the position.
[271] The Nazis were losing power and money, and Strasse was tired of being in Hitler's shadow.
[272] Still, Hitler knew now was definitely not the time to settle with the powers that be.
[273] Hitler and Strasse argued this point.
[274] So Strasse resigned from the party on December 5th.
[275] This was a major blow to the party and its prestige.
[276] Strasse was popular within the Nazi party, but also one of the few Nazi members respected by other party officials.
[277] He truly wanted to help his country and not himself, like most of the other Nazi party officials.
[278] He gave the Nazi party a moderate face.
[279] After leaving Hitler, Strasse told his story to a newspaper and then left for vacation.
[280] The Nazis searched frantically for him to work something out, but could not find him.
[281] Hitler, although shaken, sensed now was the time to attack Strasse.
[282] Hitler took over the group political organization started and controlled by Strasse.
[283] He had Strasse's friends purged and all its leaders had to sign a new declaration of loyalty.
[284] to Hitler.
[285] But Hitler still had his own unnerved party to save.
[286] On January 4, 1933, Hitler, who was politically weakened after the last election, met with Poppen, who was himself out of office.
[287] There were proposals and counter -proposals, all coming to nothing.
[288] But Hitler learned from his meeting that Schleicher was not allowed to dissolve the Reichstag.
[289] and, as a bonus, found conservative financiers to take on the Nazis' mounting debt.
[290] The landed gentry were very upset with Schleicher for his threats concerning the Junkers' estates and promises to labor.
[291] The Junkers had given the president huge tracts of land, thereby making their own interests now his interests.
[292] Strasse returned and promised to join Schleicher's cabinet, giving its stability.
[293] On January 15th, the Nazis won a small election in another state, but Goebbels broadcasted the result all over Germany, making it seem so much more than what it was.
[294] This impressed the conservative elements, who were still looking for someone to support.
[295] Papin, still angry over Schleicher's betrayal, went to see the president in mid -January and reminded him that Schleicher was unable to control or split the Nazi party and had no backing from the nationalist, center, or social democratic parties.
[296] I'm sure Hindenburg at this point wanted to weep.
[297] And on January 23rd, Schleicher went to the president and asked for the Reichstag to be dissolved and to allow him to rule by emergency power.
[298] In essence, he wanted a military dictatorship.
[299] Hindenburg replied that, Like Papen, in December, Schleicher was unable to meet his requirement of a majority in the Reichstag.
[300] Schleicher's time as head of the government was over.
[301] He had lied and betrayed too many people when he needed support the most.
[302] On January 28, 1933, he resigned.
[303] On that same day, the president asked Papen to explore a government with Hitler.
[304] So...
[305] Papen and Hitler went round and round in their discussions.
[306] Finally, they both went to see the president.
[307] The compromise was that Hitler would be chancellor, Papen vice -chancellor, but the Nazis would only have three of the 11 posts in the cabinet, which meant very little voting power for the Nazis.
[308] Finally, Hindenburg would never see Hitler without Papen in tow.
[309] The Nazis would not control the police.
[310] The individual states would keep that authority.
[311] Papen, Hindenburg, and the conservative elements felt that they had boxed Hitler in with a plan worthy of Schleicher himself.
[312] Goering was put in the cabinet as minister without portfolio.
[313] It was understood that he would be in charge of aviation when there was an air force.
[314] For now, he was the minister of interior of Prussia, Germany's largest state.
[315] but unlike the other states, he would control the Prussian police.
[316] The other ministers in the cabinet either belonged to Papen or owed no loyalty to Hitler.
[317] The cabinet took power on January 30, 1933, and Hitler was now the Chancellor of Germany.
[318] Adolf Hitler knew he was trapped as he took his place behind the Chancellor's desk, but he also knew that Hermann Goering, already had a plan to set him free.
[319] Next time, we'll back up a bit and bring Mussolini up to date.
[320] He and Hitler would form a partnership that would shake the world.
[321] But, as it happened, Hitler's partner would cost him much and eventually be one of the major reasons why Hitler's empire was lost.
[322] Welcome to True Spies, the podcast that takes you deep inside the greatest secret missions of all time.
[323] Suddenly out of the dark, it's a bit in love.
[324] You'll meet the people who live life undercover.
[325] What do they know?
[326] What are their skills?
[327] And what would you do in their position?
[328] Vengeance felt good.
[329] Seeing these people pay for what they'd done felt righteous.
[330] True Spies, from Spyscape Studios, wherever you get your podcasts.