3.1 The creation of a dictatorship, 1933-34

Question 1

Why was Hitler’s power limited when he became Chancellor?

Answer 1

Weimar Constitution controlled what he could do
Hindenberg retained Presidential powers
Only 2 cabinet members were Nazis
Reichstag = 1/3 Nazis

Question 2

When was the Reichstag Fire?

Answer 2

27th February 1933

Question 3

Why was van der Lubbe arrested and what happened to him?

Answer 3

Found at the site with matches and firelighters
Confessed
Found guilty and executed

Question 4

How did Hitler and Goering turn the Reichstag Fire into an attack against Communists?

Answer 4

Claimed van der Lubbe was part of Communist conspiracy
4,000 Communists arrested that night
Made Hindenburg declare a state of emergency - Artcile 48

Question 5

What was the Reichstag Fire Decree?

Answer 5

Decree for the Protection of the People and State - could imprison political opponents and ban Communist papers

Question 6

What else did Hitler do before the March election?

Answer 6

Ensure police turned a blind eye to SA violence

Persuaded Krupp and other industrialists to bankroll Nazi campaign

Question 7

What were the results of the March 5th election?

Answer 7

288 Reichstag seats for Nazis

Question 8

How did Hitler divide the left vote?

Answer 8

Allowed KDP to stand in election, splitting left vote between KDP and SDP
Banned KDP from taking up seats after election

Question 9

Why did Hitler divide the left vote?

Answer 9

It gave him a 2/3 majority in the Reichstag which mean’t he could now change the constitution

Question 10

What did the Enabling Act (The Law for the Removal of the Distress of the People and Reich) say?

Answer 10

Reich Cabinet could pass new laws
Laws would overrule Weimar constitution
Laws would be proposed by Hitler

Question 11

When was the vote for the Enabling Act?

Answer 11

24th March 1933

Question 12

What were the circumstances for the Enabling Act vote?

Answer 12

Vote passed 444 - 94
Supported by Nazis, Zentrum and DNVP
No KDP members present
SDP members voted branzenly despite intimidation

Question 13

What did Hitler do to trade unions in May 1933?

Answer 13

Broke into trade union offices and arrested officials all over Germans
Banned trade unions and made strikes illegal

Question 14

Why were trade unions a threat to Hitler?

Answer 14

Believed Communist working men could use them to control their trade unions
Could then use these to undermine government e.g. strikes

Question 15

What did Hitler set up to replace trade unions?

Answer 15

DAF - German Labour Front
Protected workers’ rights and regulated what employers could do
Also represented employers

Question 16

What did Hitler do to other political parties?

Answer 16

May 1933 - SA entered KDP and SDP offices, destroyed newspapers and confiscated funds
July 1933 - decree making all political parties illegal, except Nazis

Question 17

What did Hitler do to local Lander and when?

Answer 17

January 1934 - abolished Lander parliaments

Said governors, appointed by him, would run regions

Question 18

Why did Hitler believe that Rohm (GAY) was a threat?

Answer 18

SA numbers = 3 million
SA were resentful towards Hitler - risked their lives for him but 60% were still unemployed - and loyal to Rohm
Rohm opposed Hitler’s policies - criticised links with industrialists and army
Wanted more socialist policies - tax rich, help working class

Question 19

Why did others see Rohm as a threat?

Answer 19

SA was bigger than army due to ToV so German army officers worried
Thought Rohm wanted SA to replace army
Leaders of SS resented Rohm - wanted to reduce SA power to increase SS power and status

Question 20

What did SS and army leaders tell Hitler in 1934?

Answer 20

That Rohm was planning to seize power

Question 21

What happened on 30th June 1934?

Answer 21

The Night of the Long Knives
Arranged to meet Rohm and 100 SA leaders
When they arrived, they were arrested, imprisoned and shot

Question 22

What happened to von Papen?

Answer 22

Was told to go home for safety by Goering
Group of SS arrested his staff and shot his press secretary
Home was surrounded, telephone cut off

Question 23

How did Goering justify The Night in July 1934?

Answer 23

Said that they were watching Rohm for months

He was planning to replace Hitler so killings were in Germany’s best interests

Question 24

What was the SA like after this?

Answer 24

Limited to giving muscle to Nazi party
No longer rivalled army
Firmly under Hitler’s control

Question 25

When did Hindenburg die?

Answer 25

2nd August 1934

Question 26

What did Hitler do when Hindenburg died?

Answer 26

Took over supreme power
Declared himself Fuhrer and added Presidential power to his Chancellor powers
Forced an oath of loyalty to him from every soldier in the army

Question 27

What was the result of the plebiscite on 19th August 1934?

Answer 27

90% voters in favour of Hitler becoming Fuhrer

Weimar = over