Hitler whilst in prison realised that violence was not the way to gain votes in the elections and so decided that they would win power by democratic methods instead of trying to gain it by force. Propaganda was an important way of winning votes. Propaganda was the method of getting ideas across to the German people. Joseph Goebbels was Hitler's propaganda minister. He made records and films of Hitler's speeches. He put up millions of posters and flags all over the country. Above all, he held huge rallies where Hitler could make speeches. It wasn't just propaganda and rallies that won votes for Hitler. .
The SA played an important part too - beating up Communists, smashing their meetings and making it impossible for them to campaign freely.
By 1932 the Nazi Party was now the biggest party in the Reichstag. The 1932 elections were a great success for the Nazis, but Hitler wanted to be Chancellor (Prime Minister). However, the President of Germany, president Hindenberg, refused to give him the post. Instead he allowed the present Chancellor, Franz von Papen to stay as chancellor. So Hitler was as far away taking control of Germany.
Von papen was forced to resign by the leader of the army and so Hinderburg made Schleicher Chancellor instead. Schleicher lasted just 57 days as the Reichstag would not agree to his decisions. So then hindenburg was left with no choice but to allow Hitler to become chancellor. Hindenburg thought he could control hitler but he couldn't within days Hitler had proved him to be wrong.
The nazi party was gaining even more votes but still did not have power until Nazis, amounted to just over half of the number of seats. Hitler could now be sure that the Reichstag would vote for what he wanted. And what he wanted was total power The Nationalist Party decided to join forces with the Nazis. Their 53 seats added to the 288 of the nazis hitler had power.
