2 - hitler's consolidation of power Flashcards
Establishment of Nazi Dictatorship & Its Domestic Policies: Feb 1933 - 1939
1
Q
When was the Reichstag fire?
A
27th February 1933
2
Q
Reichstag fire (1933)
A
- parliament building burnt down
- communists blamed & banned
- fire used to justify measures against the communists
3
Q
When was the Decree for the Protection of the People and the State?
A
28th February 1933
4
Q
Decree for the Protection of the People and the State (1933)
A
- Hitler granted emergency powers due to Reichstag fire
- political & civil liberties suspended
- many anti-Nazis arrested
5
Q
March 1933 election
A
- Hitler called fresh elections to the Reichstag (hoped for overall majority)
- Nazi vote increased to 43.9%
- nationalist support still needed
6
Q
When was the Enabling Act?
A
23rd March 1933
7
Q
Enabling Act (1933)
A
- many member absent or intimidated
- Reichstag voted for Enabling Act (2/3 majority)
- gave Hitler total power & ended democracy
- full power transferred to chancellor & government
- dictatorship based on legality created
8
Q
When did the Nazi party become the only legal party?
A
14th July 1933
9
Q
Gleichschaltung
A
- co-ordination/Nazification of society
- ensured co-operation with the regime
- established to control cultural, social & educational activity
10
Q
co-ordination of federal states
A
- regional parliaments dissolved & then abolished
- Reich governors created
- federal govt & governors subordinated to central govt
11
Q
co-ordination of political parties
A
- communists banned after Reichstag fire
- SPD banned & assets seized
- most parties agreed to dissolve themselves
- Nazis = only legal party
12
Q
co-ordination of trade unions
A
- union premises occupied, funds seized, leaders sent to concentration camps
- independent unions banned & replaced by DAF
13
Q
success of Gleichschaltung
A
- Nazis did have control in some areas
- didn’t control Church, army or big business
- only partial control of civil service & education
- Hitler’s power = limited (didn’t want to lose support of important groups)
- under pressure from SA to implement further changes
14
Q
Night of the Long Knives
A
- opposition within Nazi party
- Ernst Röhm (SA chief) wanted to merge army & SA
- army chiefs refused, due to SA’s indiscipline
- Röhm & SA leaders executed
15
Q
When was the Night of the Long Knives?
A
June 1934
16
Q
Ernst Röhm
A
SA chief, killed in Night of the Long Knives
17
Q
consequences of the Night of the Long Knives
A
- SA removed
- gained support of conservative right
- army took personal oath of loyalty to Hitler
- SS (wing of SA) emerged as independent organisation
- Hitler secured dictatorship
18
Q
Hindenburg’s death
A
August 1934
