The triumph of the Nazis: Chilling footage shows Adolf Hitler taking power as German Chancellor 80 y

Publish date: 2024-07-11

Adolf gives Germany the thumbs-up: Chilling footage shows Hitler take office as Nazis swept into power 80 years ago

By Sam Webb

Published: 06:28 EDT, 30 January 2013 | Updated: 21:06 EDT, 30 January 2013

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These newly re-released images show the moment Adolf Hitler rose to power - exactly 80 years ago today.

On January 30, 1933, the man who would become one of the worst tyrants in history was appointed Chancellor of Germany, the first step towards his creation of a totalitarian regime.

The photos are part of an online gallery published by newsreel company British Pathe in order to record the pivotal moment in history.

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The soon-to-be dictator gives the cameraman a thumbs up soon after his triumph

The soon-to-be dictator gives the cameraman a thumbs up soon after his triumph

Prophetic: The newsreel's caption hints at the consternation the world felt towards Hitler's growing power

Prophetic: The newsreel's caption hints at the consternation the world felt towards Hitler's growing power

VIDEO Chilling footage of Adolf Hitler taking power as German Chancellor

The original caption used by British Pathe on its footage back in 1933 was chillingly prophetic, stating that Hitler was now master of his own destiny - and hinting that only fear and uncertainty lay ahead.

It compared Hitler, a former lowly soldier from Austria, to Otto von Bismarck, the famous 19th Century statesman who unified Germany through war.

The full caption read as follows: 'BERLIN ... ADOLF HITLER assumes Bismarck's mantle as Germany's chancellor. He is now master of his adopted country's destiny and a wondering world awaits ... what?'

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Pictures in the online gallery show the Nazi dictator surrounded by his henchmen, including Hermann Göring, who was also appointed Minister of the Interior for Prussia.

Another shot shows Hitler giving a thumbs-up to his supporters.

A spokesman for British Pathe said: 'Hitler's appointment as Chancellor was significant in his rise to power and the footage from 80 years ago is an important piece of history because of what followed.'

Hitler immediately began consolidating his power and dismantled a number of freedoms in Germany

Hitler immediately began consolidating his power and dismantled a number of freedoms in Germany

Hitler was able to achieve power thanks to the backing of captains of industry, businessmen and powerul politicians. He had come second in the 1932 election

Hitler was able to achieve power thanks to the backing of captains of industry, businessmen and powerul politicians. He had come second in the 1932 election

 VIDEO  Thumbs up! Adolf Hitler laughs and smiles with crowds in 1933  

Hitler was appointed chancellor by German statesman Paul von Hindenburg after three elections had not resulted in the formation of a majority government.

Von Hindenburg had reluctantly agreed to appoint Hitler as leader after influential politicians, industrialists and businessmen urged him to do so.

Hitler was to head a short-lived coalition government formed by his own National Socialist German Workers Party and another party, the German National People's Party.

On 30 January 1933, the new cabinet was sworn in during a brief ceremony in Hindenburg's office.

Hitler had initially tried to seize power in 1923 in an event known as the Beer Hall Putsch. The NSDAP stormed a public meeting at the Bürgerbräukeller, a large beer hall in Munich, and declared the formation of a new government.

Tyrant's ascent: These newly re-released images show Adolf Hitler on January 30th 1933, the day he was appointed Chancellor of Germany.

Tyrant's ascent: These newly re-released images show Adolf Hitler on January 30th 1933, the day he was appointed Chancellor of Germany.

Hitler (right) and Hermann Goring, who was appointed Minister of the Interior for Prussia at the same time. The appointment helped Hitler secure control of Germany's police force

Hitler (right) and Hermann Goring, who was appointed Minister of the Interior for Prussia at the same time. The appointment helped Hitler secure control of Germany's police force

However, the coup failed and Hitler was arrested and spent a year in prison. While serving his sentence he wrote Mein Kampf (My Struggle), an autobiography and ideological text that laid out Hitler's plans for transforming German society into one based on race.

After his release he set about rebuilding the NSDAP and concentrated on achieving power through a more legitimate political path.

He exploited the discontent a number of Germans, particularly farmers, war veterans, and the middle class, felt after the trials of the Great Depression, and steadily rose to power.

After his appointment as chancellor in 1933, he transformed the Weimar Republic into the Third Reich, a single-party dictatorship based on the totalitarian and autocratic ideology of Nazism.

He launched a campaign of hatred and genocide against Jews and his action soon plunged Europe - and eventually the whole world - into a war that claimed an estimated 50million lives.


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