Final answer:
Adolf Hitler rose to power by exploiting Germany's economic hardships, leveraging his oratory skills, and utilizing propaganda and the democratic system. After being made chancellor, he quickly consolidated power through the Enabling Act and ultimately declared himself führer, establishing a totalitarian regime before initiating World War II.
Step-by-step explanation:
Adolf Hitler's rise to power was a complex process that involved his ability to connect with the emotions of the German people, exploit the weaknesses of the Weimar Republic, and skillfully maneuver within the democratic system. During the 1920s, Hitler became known as a fervent orator and leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party (Nazi Party). His early attempt at uprising, known as the Beer Hall Putsch, failed, but it allowed him to gain recognition and outline his future plans in Mein Kampf during his imprisonment.
The Great Depression greatly affected Germany, causing mass unemployment and social unrest. Hitler capitalized on this by blaming the Versailles Treaty, communists, capitalists, and Jews for Germany's troubles. His speeches and propaganda resonated with the populace, and as the economy worsened, more people voted for extremist parties including the Nazis, which became the largest party in the Reichstag by 1932.
Under pressure from industrialists and the conservative elite, President Paul von Hindenburg appointed Hitler as chancellor in January 1933. Shortly thereafter, the Reichstag fire prompted Hitler to push through the Enabling Act, granting him emergency powers. By 1934, Hitler declared himself führer, solidifying his totalitarian control over Germany. His actions eventually led to the expansion of Germany's borders and the outbreak of World War II, with the invasion of Poland in 1939 and the subsequent declaration of war against the United States in 1941.