hitler never had more than 37 percent of the popular vote in the honest elections that occurred before he became chancellor and the opposition among the 63 percent against him was generally quite strong. hitler therefore would have never seen the light of day had the german republic been truly democratic. unfortunately, it’s otherwise sound constitution contained a few fatal flaws. the german leaders also had a weak devotion to democracy, and some were actively plotting to overthrow it. hitler furthermore enjoyed an almost unbroken string of luck in coming to power. he benefited greatly from the great depression, the half-senility of the president, the incompletence of his opposition, and the appearance of an unnecessary back room deal just as the nazis were starting to lose popular appeal and votes.