12) the establishment of the nazi dictatorship Flashcards
What was Hitler’s cabinet like
Only three out of 12 posts were given to the Nazi party reinforcing patterns view at no fundamental policy change would occur by including the Nazis
Happen was allowed to be there when Hitler spoke to Hindenburg
The real decisions in the cabinet would be taken by non-Nazi majority, Many of whom were from the aristocratic elite
Hitler would not be able to dominate his own cabinet or be able to become the dictator he aspired to be
How did Hitler show his power and victory
He reviewed a torchlit procession of around 100,000 members coming through the streets of the capital Berlin
Organised by propaganda chief Joseph Goebbels
Designed to show that Hitler‘s appointment as Chancellor was not to be a normal change of government
Spectacular demonstration of Hitler’s personal Triumph and of the victory of the Nazi movement
How did the Nazis use violence against political opposition
The violence of the SA had played a key role in Hitler’s rise to power.
Once in power he used to state resources to consolidate his position and rapidly expand the SA as they were vital Weapons in his struggle to eliminate opposition. Membership increased from 500,00 in January 1933 to 3,000,000 in 1934
The activities of the SA gained legal authority. In late February 1933 the SA and stahlhelm were merged and became recognised as the axillary police. The regular police force were forbidden from interfering with SA activity.
How has Hitler’s cabinet changed by February 1933
With the addition of Frick and Goering as key positions in cabinet
Frick - minister for the interior for the whole Reich
Goering - minister for the interior in Persia
What was the nazi legal revolution and the revolution from below
The SA unleashed a reign of terror against socialist and Communist opponents
Use the newfound powers, sustained assault on trade unions and KPD offices as well as on houses of left-wing politicians
Stormtroopers broke up SPD and KPD meetings
On February 5, a young Nazi shot dead the SPD mayor of a small town and later in the month a Communist was killed in clashes with the SA
Crimes were ignored by the police but when the SPD newspaper condemned the killings the paper was banned
The centre party also became a target after its newspaper criticise the Nazi regime. Its newspaper was banned and Nazi storm troopers attacked party meetings
What happened to thousands of Communist, socialist and trade unions
Rounded up and imprisoned in makeshift concentration camps set up in old factories
First permanent concentration camp was established that Dachau accommodating over 5000 people
Became the model for later concentration camps
By July 1933, 26,789 political prisoners had been arrested by the SA or taken into protective custody
what was the richstag fire
Hitler persuaded Hindenburg to dissolve the reichstag call a new election in March. He believed the Nazis could win this election therefore strengthening his position
Was due to him for an intensification of nazi terror against their opposition. By the time the election took place SPD and KPD had virtually been proven on the ground by the atmosphere of terror and intimidation by the Nazis
On the 27th of February the Reichstag building was burnt down by a Dutch Communist Von de lubbe.
Suspicion that the Nazis deliberately set the fire and allowed Von de lubbe to set the fire in order to justify introducing repressive measures but no definite evidence
What was the consequence of the richstag fire
The Nazi regime gain the most from the fire
they claimed that it was part of a community to start a revolution in Germany
The event was used to justify the immediate suspension of civil liberties
What was the decree for the protection of the people and the state
Hitler’s appointment as Chancellor by Hindenburg was strictly legal, according to the Constitution of the Weimar republic
Hitler persuaded Hindenburg to sign a decree giving him emergency powers
The decree for the protection of the people and the state, suspended important civil and political rights that have been guaranteed by the Constitution
The police was given increased powers to arrest and detain without charge those deemed to be a threat to state security. Increased powers to enter and search private property
while the government had the power to censor publications, The power to take over state governments if they refuse to act against the Nazi political opposition
In practice what was the Decree for the protection of the people and state used for
To arrest communist and socialist, banned their newspapers and to disrupt their organisations
Legalise a full-scale assault on the Communist, backed by propaganda in which Nazis claimed that Germany was on the brink of a Bolshevik revolution
The police arrested 10,000 Communist’s in two weeks including most of the leaders
The KPD was not officially banned but the party was still able to put up candidates in the March election, party membership was treated by the courts as an act of treason and many Communist were given long sentences
Civil servants, judges and the police who were overwhelmingly Conservative and nationalist in their political views were only too willing to give legal sanction to the Nazis
What was the results of the March 1933 election
Terror and intimidation
SA controlled the streets, opponents were locked up, the offices of the SPD and KPD smashed up and funds confiscated. Therefore they could not organise meetings and their posters were removed
Nazi propaganda with posters, leaflets, radio broadcast and election rallies using the state resources
Nancy votes increased since November 1932 allowing 288 seats but the KPD still got 81, SPD got 120
64% of voters had supposed non-Nazi parties
Nazis + DNVP = Richstag majority
What was the enabling act
Hitler’s objective was to secure the necessary 2/3 majority for the enabling act
Act that would allow him to make laws without the president or the Rich stag for four years
Given the power to make treaties without approval
KPD members were not allowed to take their seats
Needed the centre party for the 2/3 majority. Got the support by assuring them that Hitler would consult with Hindenburg before using his powers
SPD voted against
Final piece of legal framework that legitimised the Nazi dictatorship
