12 - The Establishment of the Nazi Dictatorship, January - March 1933 Flashcards
When did Hitler become Chancellor?
30th January 1933
What advantages did Hitler face when he seized power?
- Hindenburg is old and vulnerable
- biggest party in the Reichstag
- support of big businesses
- SA stronger than the army
What disadvantages did Hitler face when he seized power?
- not a popular leader
- loosing support
- Hindenburg still president
- constitution still exists
Who was in Hitler’s first cabinet?
Von Papen
Wilhelm Frick
Hermann Goering
How many of Hitler’s ministers were Nazis?
3/12
Why did Hitler’s cabinet not contain many Nazis?
So they could gain power democratically
What was Papen’s role?
Vice Chancellor - thought he could control Hitler
What was Frick’s role?
Minister of the Interior - home secretary
What was Goering’s role?
Minister without Portfolio and Minister of the Interior for Prussia
What did SA membership grow from to from 1933-34?
500,000 to 3 million
What did Hitler do in late February 1933?
Merged the Stalhelm and SA into an ‘auxiliary police’
What happened on the 5th February 1933?
A young Nazi shot dead an SPD mayor of a small town, which was ignored by the police. When SPD papers reported this, they were banned
Who was targeted by the SA?
Communists, Socialists and Trade Unionists
How many political prisoners and camps were there by July 1933?
26,789 and 70
When did Dachau concentration camp open?
8th March 1933
When was the Reichstag Fire?
27th February 1933
Who was blamed for the fire?
Marinus de Lubbe, a dutch communist
Why is it likely the Nazis started the fire?
To allow the enabling act to be passed, he could now justify extreme measures
What did the Nazis do during the March 1933 election?
- SPD and KPD offices smashed up
- anyone promoting the left arrested
- created a majority with DNVP
When and why was there an election after Hitler seized power?
5th March 1933, he believed that the Nazis could gain even more power
By what percentage did Nazi votes increase in March 1933?
33.1% to 43.9%
What was the decree for the Protection of the People and the State?
Allowed central government to overthrow local, restricted freedom of speech and state
How many communists were rounded up 2 weeks after the Reichstag fire?
10,000
What was Gleichschaltung?
Forcing into line, controlling into Nazi way
When was the Enabling Act passed?
24th March 1933
How was the Enabling Act passed?
- he promised the Z party to respect the rights of the Catholic Church
- KPD refused entry by SA
- passed 444 votes to 94
How did Hitler reassure the army?
- was aware they could remove him from power
- met on 3rd Feb to outline their role and promise not to undermine
How did Hitler reassure the industrialists?
- 20th Feb, met to discuss financial support
- 3 million Reichsmarks given for anti-communist government
- Hitler had to stop Nazi attacks on capitalism