How was Hitler's ascension to Chancellor treated by his opponents? Did they think he was an existential threat to Germany? Or was there a sense of "well we live in a democracy and he won, so let's act civil, give him the benefit of the doubt, and try to understand his followers' point of view"?

by [deleted]

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roosterrugburn

its a common misconception that Hitler was wildly popular throughout his career.

Beimg made chancellor is considered the point when he officially gained power but he was still somewhat unpopular at the time.

As the result showed, however, reality lagged behind propaganda. According to the official figures, over a sixth of voters defied the intense pressure to conform and did not vote "yes." In some big working-class areas of Germany, up to a third had not given Hitler their vote. Even so, there were one or two tantalizing hints that Hitler's personal appeal outstripped that of the Nazi regime itself, and even more so of the Party. "For Adolf Hitler yes, but a thousand times no to the brown big-wigs" was scribbled on one ballot-paper in Potsdam. The same sentiment could be heard elsewhere.

https://www.google.com/amp/www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-fuehrer-myth-how-hitler-won-over-the-german-people-a-531909-amp.html?client=safari

He only gained the chancellor position because he won the support of key government officials and as the quote states, those who were voting for the lesser of two evils.

The wild popularity didn't happen till years later after he had proven himself.

Ultimately there were no riots in the streets. Only opposing political parties made any real opposition to him. It was all very smooth.

It was also surprisingly fast, seizing total dictatorial powers by the end of the year.