Yes the elites are the army, industrialists (junkers), business people etc. Also you can discuss Hindenburgs role-surely it cant have been good for democracy to have a head of state who believed in germany's militaristic past and was a devout supporter of the kaiser, especially given his age and frail health, he didnt have the strength to separate these ideas and the best outcome for Germany (which he said he would do despite his opposition to the republic). You also should consider the role of Hindenburgs deputies, the men who acted as vice chancellor in the years leading up to Hitlers appointment. There is some arguement that can be made they acted largely out of self interest and were motivated by personal feelings rather than political and social considerations...I am sorry i cant be more specific right now, my mind is focussed upon a different area and its hard to grab this info off the top of my head.
As for notes, i have quite a few and they are scattered over many places...I am have them all at my parents house. I will be home for a week or so over easter so I will have a look and see if there is anything really helpful that i can summarise and pass on to you.
Just for fun i would recomend you look at the lyrics for the song "Springtime for Hitler" from the Mel Brookes musical The Producers. Obviously this is tongue in cheek and not to be taken seriously but in a very vague and flippant sort of way it is on the right track...."It wasnt always so easy. Hindenburg was working the big room and i was playing the lounge. Then I got my break. Somebody burned down the Reichstag and they made me Chancellor!!!" sings Adolf....have a look-the whole song is a summary of the rise of hitler and beginnings of WW2....
