5. Hitler's Post-Defeat Meetings and Internal Rift. Timothy Ryback discusses how following his November defeat, Hitler remained driven. Former Chancellor Papen, the most unpopular chancellor in German history, sought a meeting, hoping Hitler was weakened enough to join a necessary coalition. Hitler rejected Papen, knowing he was in trouble. A subsequent meeting with Hindenburg also failed, reinforcing the view that Hitler was finished. Meanwhile, intense internal party conflict arose: Gregor Strasser sought conciliation and coalition to save the movement, while Goebbels and hardliners pushed Hitler to stonewall for total power. This tension culminated dramatically in the "underwear scene," where Göring and Goebbels intercepted Hitler on his train, illustrating Hitler's waffling between his party factions.
1933 Berlin