13. Consolidation of Power, March 33- Aug 34 (S4)

Question 1

What did Hitler do with the SPD Party after the Enabling Act as passed?

Answer 1

He banned them and its leaders went into exile.

Question 2

What did Hitler do with the other right wing parties?

Answer 2

They were told to join the Nazis or disband.

Question 3

Why did Hitler ban non-Nazi trade unions in May?

Answer 3

He had seen what happened during the Kapp Putsch in 1922 and he didn’t want to let workers have any power to legally react.

Question 4

How did Hitler convince the Catholic Centre to disband?

Answer 4

He promised them that he would not interfere with the Catholic Church. He also made a ‘Concordat’ with the Pope in July which made the disbandment acceptable to all Catholics.

Question 5

When did Germany become a One Party State?

Answer 5

July 1933

Question 6

How many votes did the Nazis win in the Reichstag election in November 1933?

Answer 6

92%

Question 7

What happened to the other 8% of votes?

Answer 7

Since there were no other parties to choose from, this means that 8% of people did not mark their ballot papers despite SA presence in ballot rooms.

Question 8

When was the Reichsrat abolished?

Answer 8

February 1934.

Question 9

How much did membership to the SA increase from 1933 to 1934?

Answer 9

Jan 1933- 500,000 by Jan 1934- 3 million members.

Question 10

Give 2 causes of the Night of the Long Knives.

Answer 10

• Hitler was unable to control the SA properly
• The members were no longer stark Nazi supporters like the original members, they were more interested in the SA itself
• The SA wanted the second revolution but Hitler didn’t
• SA units began taking weapons and supplies from the army

Question 11

What was the aim of The Night of the Long Knives (TNOTLK)?

Answer 11

To eliminate the leadership of the SA and many other political opponents of the Nazis

Question 12

How many people were killed or arrested in TNOTLK.

Answer 12

It’s hard to know due to censorship but likely between 100-400 killed, and about 1000 arrested.

Question 13

Name 2 significant figures who were executed on TNOTLK.

Answer 13

• Ernst Rohm
• General von Schleicher
• Gregor Strasser
• Gustav von Kahr

Question 14

How much did the membership of the SA decline after the Night of the Long Knives?

Answer 14

It declined by about half.

Question 15

When did President Hindenburg die?

Answer 15

August 2nd 1934

Question 16

How was Hitler’s power consolidated after Hindenburg’s death?

Answer 16

The army took an oath of allegiance to Hitler personally.

Question 17

When and how did the public agree to make Hitler their Fuhrer and Reich Chancellor?

Answer 17

The Plebiscite (a direct question asked to the voters) -19th August 1934.

Question 18

How many people agreed of this change?

Answer 18

90% (10% voted no/ blank).

Question 19

What was the title given to Hitler after his consolidation?

Answer 19

Führer and Commander-in- chief of the armed forces