3.1 The creation of a dictatorship, 1933-34 Flashcards
Why was Hitler’s power as chancellor limited?
- The Weimar constitution controlled what the Chancellor could do.
- Hindenburg retained all the powers of the President.
- NSDAP members numbered only about 1/3 of the Reichstag.
The Reichstag Fire
On the evening of 27 Feb 1933, the Reichstag building was destroyed by a massive fire. A communist supporter named Van der Lubbe was caught red-handed. He confessed and was put on trial. He was found guilty and was executed.
However, the execution wasn’t enough for Hitler and Goering, the new chief of police. They claimed that he was part of a communist conspiracy against the government - used Reichstag fire to attack the communists.
How many communist were arrested on the night of the Reichstag fire?
4000
What did Hitler do the day after the Reichstag fire?
He used the fire to pressurise Hindenburg into declaring a state of emergency. As long as Hindenburg supported hum, Hitler could now use decrees to govern Germany. Next, he persuaded Hindenburg to call an election for 5 March 1933. He hoped for more Nazi seats in the Reichstag.
What did Hitler do before the election of March 1933 took place?
- Hitler issued the Decree for the Protection of the People and the State. This gave him powers to imprison political opponents and ban communist newspapers.
- Since he now controlled Germany’s police force Hitler could ensure that he turned a blind eye to the violent activities of the SA.
- Hitler persuaded industrialists to bankroll the Nazi campaign.
What were the results of the election?
The Nazis increased their Reichstag members to 288. Hitler used his emergency powers to ban the Communist Party from taking up its 81 seats. With the support of the other nationalist parties, this gave Hitler a 2/3 majority in the Reichstag.
Why were the results of the election crucial?
Hitler now had enough votes to change the constitution of the Republic.
The Enabling Act
Who?
When?
What?
Why?
Who?
It was proposed by Hitler to the Reichstag.
When?
In March 1933
Why?
It was designed to destroy the power of the Reichstag, Hitler expected opposition and used his Nazi Party stormtroopers to intimidate his opponents.
What?
- The Reich Cabinet could pass new laws.
- These laws could overrule the constitution of the Weimar Republic.
- the laws would be proposed by Chancellor - Hitler.
It would give Hitler the right to make laws for 4 years without the consent of the Reichstag.
Why were trade unions banned?
Trade unions could unite people to protest – therefore the Nazis had got rid of a potential form of opposition. They also destroyed a possible form of sympathy and support for their arch-enemies, the communists.
How did Hitler remove all political opposition?
Political parties were banned: only the Nazi party was allowed to exist - issued a decree making all parties except them illegal in July 1933.
Why were all state governments taken over?
Hitler could centralise all policy and make sure different states listened to him and did as he wished. It encouraged even more nationalism in Germany. Possible dissent (disagreement) was lessened as the state governments couldn’t lead people as they had once done.
