4. Nazi consolidation of power 1933-4

Question 1

When was Hitler appointed as chancellor?

Answer 1

Hitler was appointed as chancellor on the 30th January 1933

Question 2

When did the Reichstag fire occur?

Answer 2

The Reichstag fire occurred on27th February 1933

Question 3

Who was blamed for the Reichstag fire?

Answer 3

Marinus Van De Lubbe, a Dutch Communist was blamed for the Reichstag fire.
(The Communists)

Question 4

When were the last elections according to the Weimar constitution?

Answer 4

The last elections according to the Weimar constitution occurred on 5th March 1933

Question 5

When was the day of Potsdam?

Answer 5

The day of Potsdam was 21st March 1933

Question 6

When was the Enabling Law passed?

Answer 6

The Enabling law was passed on the 23rd March 1933

Question 7

When were all political opposition to the NSDAP declared illegal?

Answer 7

All political opposition to the NSDAP were declared illegal on the 14th July 1933

Question 8

When did the Night of the Long Knives occur?

Answer 8

The Night of the Long Knives occurred on the 30th June 1934, the SA were purged

Question 9

When did president Hindenburg die?

Answer 9

President Hindenburg died on the 2nd of August 1934

Question 10

When did Hitler merge the posts of president and chancellor to become Fuhrer?

Answer 10

On the 2nd of August, following the death of Hindenburg, Hitler merged the posts of chancellor and president to become Fuhrer.

Question 11

What did Hindenburg demand, in order to support Hitler’s appointment as chancellor?

Answer 11

Hindenburg demanded that the chancellor’s power would remain limited if Hitler were to be appointed as chancellor

Question 12

How confident was Von Papen in limiting Hitler’s power as chancellor?

Answer 12

Von Papen was extremely confident in limiting Hitler’s power as chancellor as he stated “In a few months we’ll have pushed Hitler into a corner so hard that he’ll be squeaking”

Question 13

Why did the confidence of the conservatives seem to be justified at first glance?

Answer 13

At first sight, the confidence of the conservatives seemed to be justified, since Hitler’s position was weak purely in constitutional terms.

Question 14

What were Hitler’s main limitations as chancellor?

Answer 14

Hitler’s main limitations as chancellor:

There were only 2 Nazi’s in a cabinet of 12. All 9 other cabinet members were non-Nazi, from conservative-nationalist backgrounds, such as the army, industry and landowners.

Hitler’s coalition government did not have a majority in the Reichstag, making it difficult for Nazis to introduce any significant legislation

The chancellor’s post was dependant on the whim of President Hindenburg, and he openly resented Hitler. He could easily be sacked as chancellor by Hindenburg.

Question 15

When Hitler was appointed chancellor, who were the other two Nazi’s in the cabinet of twelve?

Answer 15

When Hitler was appointed chancellor, Wilhelm Frick, Minister of Interior and Goring, no specific responsibility, were the other two Nazi’s in the cabinet of twelve.

Question 16

Which forces did Hitler not alienate, in fear of them breaking his government?

Answer 16

Hitler was very much aware of the potential power of the army and trade unions. He could not alienate these forces, which could break his government.

The army could arrange a military coup and the trade unions a general strike as they had done in 1920.

Question 17

How long did it take Hitler to overcome the restraints as chancellor?

Answer 17

Within two months, Hitler had overcome the restraints as chancellor.

Question 18

How did the party aim to achieve power?

Answer 18

The Nazi party aimed to achieve power by carrying on with the policy of legality, which the party had pursued since 1925.

Question 19

What were Hitler’s key strengths when he became chancellor?

Answer 19

Hitler’s key strengths when he became chancellor:

He was leader of the largest political party in Germany, and the policy of ignoring him did not work, and during 1932 led to the ineffectual governments of Papen and Schleicer. Therefore political realism forced the conservatives to work with him, the only other option being a civil war or communists.

Nazi party gained access to the resources of the state . For example, Goring also became minister of interior in Prussia, with responsibility of the police. This responsibility was used blatantly to harass opponents whilst ignoring Nazi crimes. Likewise Goebells exploited the propaganda opportunities on behalf of the Nazis… all forms of media and the press were controlled.

Hitler was a masterly political tactician, aiming to achieve absolute power, whereas Papen was politically naive.

Question 20

What led to the ineffectual governments of Papen and Schleicer?

Answer 20

The policy of ignoring Hitler’s power led to the ineffectual governments of Papen and Schliecer during 1932

Question 21

What forced the conservatives to work with Hitler?

Answer 21

Political realism forced the conservatives to work with Hitler because the policy of ignoring the leader of the largest political party led to the ineffectual governments of Papen and Schleicer during 1932, and the alternative would have been a civil war or working with Communists.

Question 22

Describe Hermann Goring’s role within the Nazi party.

Answer 22

Goring played a crucial role in the rise of Nazism and during the early years of the Third Reich. His approach was uncompromising and brutal. During 1933-4 he organised the infiltration of the German police by the SA and SS and willingly used violence and murder to secure Nazi power.

He helped organised the Night of the Long Knives and used the Reichstag fire to discredit the communists. Exploited the terror to impose dictatorship.

He was part of Hitler’s cabinet.

Appointed as director of the 4 year plan

In 1939 was named as Hitler’s successor, he did however become resented by other leading Nazi’s due to his ambition and greed.

After failure of the Luftwaffe to win Battle of Britain 1940 he was isolated within leadership and his influence declined.

Question 23

How long after his appointment did Hitler call for Reichstag Elections?

Answer 23

Within 24 hours of his appointment as chancellor, Hitler had called for new Reichstag elections.

Question 24

Why did Hitler call for new Reichstag election within 24 hours of being appointed as chancellor?

Answer 24

Hitler called for new Reichstag elections within 24 hours of being appointed as chancellor because he felt that it would increase the Nazi vote, but also enhance his own status.

Question 25

Describe the campaign for the final Reichstag elections.

Answer 25

The campaign for the final Reichstag elections had few of the characteristics expected of a democracy according to the Weimar constitution.

Violence and terror, with meetings of socialists and communists regularly being broken up.

In Prussia Goring used his authority to enrol an extra 50,000 police, nearly all being members of the SS and SA. 69 died in street fights during the 5 week campaign.

An atmosphere of hate and fear was used to great affect in the Nazi election propaganda. Hitler set the tone in his ‘Appeal to the German people’ of 31st January 1933. he blamed prevailing poor economic conditions on democratic government and terrorist activities on communists. He cultivated the idea of a peaceful ‘national uprising’ determined to restore German pride and unity, playing on the deepest desires of many Germans. He used generalised slogans without a solution.

Another key factor was the improved Nazi financial situation. At a meeting on the 20th Feb. with twenty leading industrialists, Hitler was promised 3 Recihmarks.

Question 26

How was propaganda used in the March 5th elections?

Answer 26

An atmosphere of hate and fear was used to great affect in the Nazi election propaganda. Hitler set the tone in his ‘Appeal to the German people’ of 31st January 1933. he blamed prevailing poor economic conditions on democratic government and terrorist activities on communists. He cultivated the idea of a peaceful ‘national uprising’ determined to restore German pride and unity, playing on the deepest desires of many Germans. He used generalised slogans without a solution.

Question 27

How was violence and terror used in the March 5th elections?

Answer 27

Violence and terror, with meetings of socialists and communists regularly being broken up.

In Prussia Goring used his authority to enrol an extra 50,000 police, nearly all being members of the SS and SA. 69 died in street fights during the 5 week campaign.

Question 28

How did finance help the Nazi party in the March 5th election?

Answer 28

Another key factor was the improved Nazi financial situation. At a meeting on the 20th Feb. with twenty leading industrialists, Hitler was promised 3 Recihmarks.

Question 29

When was the Reichstag fire and what happened?

Answer 29

The Reichstag fire occurred on the 27th February, it was set on fire and a dutch Communist, Marinus Van der Lubbe was arrested in incriminated circumstances.

Question 30

Initially who was suspected to have caused the Reichstag fire?

Answer 30

At the time many believed that the incident was a Nazi plot to support the claims of a Communist coup, and thereby to justify Nazi repression.

Question 31

What was the final conclusion of who caused the Reichstag fire?

Answer 31

Despite a major investigation in 1962 that stated that Marinus Van der Lubbe acted alone, 18 years later the Berlin authorities posthumously acquitted him. However in Hitler’s recent biography, Kershaw argues that Van Der Lubbe acted alone in a series of 3 attempted arsons within a few weeks.

Question 32

What was the significance of the Reichstag fire?

Answer 32

The real significance of the Reichstag fire is the cynical way it was exploited by the Nazis to their advantage.

On the 28th Feburary, day after the fire, Hindenburg signed the ‘Decree for the protection of the people and state’. This suspended civil and political liberties and the power of the central government was strenghtened as laws could be passed without consultation of the Recihstag. This was under Article 48.

The justification for the Reichstag decree was the threat supposedly caused by the Communists. Following this hundreds of anti-Nazis were arrested, including political leaders, and violence reached a new high.

This event helped diminish and weaken political opposition, further strengthening the position of the Nazi party in the upcoming elections, which the success allowed the Enabling Law to be passed afterwards.

Question 33

What was the turnout of the March 5th elections?

Answer 33

The turnout at the March 5th elections were 88%. This high figure suggests the influence and intimidation of the SA, corruption by officials and increased government control of the radio was successful

Question 34

What is the significance of the 88% turnout at the March 5th elections?

Answer 34

This high figure suggests the influence and intimidation of the SA, corruption by officials and increased government control of the radio was successful

Question 35

What was the result of the March 5th elections?

Answer 35

The 5th March elections saw the Nazis increase their vote from 33.1% to only 43.9%, thereby securing 288 seats. Hitler could only claim a majority in the new Reichstag with the help of 52 seats won by the Nationalists.

It was not only disappointing; it was also a political blow, since any change in the Weimar constitution required a two thirds majority in the Reichstag.

Question 36

Why was the result of the March 5th elections a dissapointment?

Answer 36

The result of the March 5th elections was a disappointment because the Nazis did not claim a majority of the Reichstag, as they only got 43.9% of the vote- requiring a coalition with the Nationalists. This was a political blow because political blow, since any change in the Weimar constitution required a two thirds majority in the Reichstag. Also decisions made in theory would be slowed down and be less effective as a compromise would have to be made between the coalition parties.

Question 37

Why did Hitler propose the Enabling Law to the new Reichstag in March 1933?

Answer 37

Hitler proposed the Enabling Law to the new Reichstag to remove parliamentary procedure and legislation and instead transfer full powers to the chancellor and his government for 4 years, removing the constitutional hurdle. In this way dictatorship would be grounded in legality. This required a two thirds majority of the Reichstag.

Question 38

To pass the Enabling Law in March 1933, what was required?

Answer 38

For Hitler to pass the enabling law, a two thirds majority was required form the Reichstag, which depended on gaining the support or abstention of some of the other major political parties.

Question 39

What were the problems preventing/hindering Hitler from passing the Enabling Law?

Answer 39

For Hitler to pass the enabling law, a two thirds majority was required form the Reichstag, which depended on gaining the support or abstention of some of the other major political parties.

The momentum built up in lower ranks of the Nazi party was proving to be increasingly difficult for Hitler to contain within regional areas. Members were impatient, and gave the impression of a “Revolution from below”.

Question 40

What was the “revolution from below”?

Answer 40

The revolution from below was the radical elements in the party wanting to direct the Nazi revolution from a more local level rather than leadership in Berlin.

Question 41

What was the Gestapo?

Answer 41

The Gestapo was the secret state police. A key policing organisation for surveillance and repression.

Question 42

Who was Rudolf Diels?

Answer 42

Rudolf Diels was the first head of the Gestapo

Question 43

What did Rudolf Diels say about the “Revolution from below” in his memoirs?

Answer 43

“The uprising of the Berlin SA electrified the most remotest parts of the country… Silesia, Rhineland and the Rhur area unauthorised arrests, insubordination of police, forcible entry into public buildings, disturbances of the work of the authorities, the smashing of dwellings and night raids had began before the Reichstag fire”

Question 44

What was the threat of the “revolution from below”?

Answer 44

The ‘revolution from below’ threatened to destroy Hitler’s image of legality, and antagonise the conservative vested interests and his DNVP coalition partners.

Question 45

How did Hitler respond to the threat of the the “revolution from below”?

Answer 45

Hitler dealt with the “revolution from below” with a grandiose act of reassurance, that became known as the Day of Potsdam. At Potsdam garrison church, Gobbles orchestrated a ceremony to celebrate the opening of the Reichstag. Hitler symbolically aligned National Socialism with the forces of old Germany, in the presence f Hindenburg, the Crown Prince and many of the army’s leading generals.

Question 46

When was the day of Postdam?

Answer 46

The day of Potsdam was on the 21st March 1933

Question 47

What occurred two days after the Day of Potsdam?

Answer 47

Two days after the Day of Potsdam, the new Reichstag met at the Kroll Opera House to consider the Enabling Law. The communists who were not already in prison refused admittance, while the deputies in attendance faced a barrage of intimidation from the ranks of the SA who surrounded the building.

Question 48

How did the Nazi’s secure the two thirds majority required for the Enabling Act to be passed?

Answer 48

To achieve the two thirds majority to pass the Enabling Act the Nazis promised a speech on the 23rd of March to respect the rights of the Catholic Church and uphold religious and moral values, in order to win over the ZP party. These were false promises which the ZP deputies deceived themselves into believing. This was done on the assumption that the SPD voted against.

In the end only the Social Democrats voted against, and the Enabling Law was passed by 444-94 votes.

Question 49

What was the result of the Enabling Law vote?

Answer 49

In the end only the Social Democrats voted against, and the Enabling Law was passed by 444-94 votes.

Question 50

What did Hitler do within weeks of passing the Enabling Law?

Answer 50

Within weeks of passing the Enabling Law, Hitler legally dismantled the Weimar Constitution, enabling him to create a one party dictatorship

Question 51

What did K.D. Bracher describe the actions of Hitler in the 1933 as?

Answer 51

K.D. Bracher stated that Germany had succumbed to the “legal revolution”

Question 52

Define Gleichschaltung.

Answer 52

Gelichschaltung is bringing into line or co-ordination. The degeneration of Weimar’s democracy into the Nazi state system.

Nazifying of German society and structures and specifically to the establishment of the dictatorship in 1933-4.

Question 53

What is considered as the constitutional stone of the Third Reich?

Answer 53

The Enabling Law was the constitutional foundation stone of the Third Reich.

Question 54

When was the Weimar constitution officially dissolved?

Answer 54

In purely legal terms the Weimar constitution was not dissolved until 1945, and the Enabling Law provided a legal basis for the dictatorship which evolved from 1933.

Question 55

What did the Enabling Law provide, despite the Weimar constitution only being dissolved officially in 1945?

Answer 55

The Enabling Law provided a legal basis for the dictatorship which evolved from 1933. The intolerance and violence used by the Nazis to gain power could now be used as tools within government by Hitler and the party.

Question 56

What is used to refer to the degeneration of Weimar’s democracy into the Nazi state system?

Answer 56

Gelichschaltung is bringing into line or co-ordination. The degeneration of Weimar’s democracy into the Nazi state system.

Question 57

How did Gleichschaltung manifest?

Answer 57

Gleichschaltung occurred/manifested because:

Some extent generated by the power and freedom exploited by the SA at local level - a ‘revolution from below’.

Also it was directed by the Nazi leadership from the political centre in Berlin - a ‘revolution from above’

These two political forces attempted to ‘co-ordinate’ as many aspects of German life as possible along Nazi lines.

Question 58

What were the two political forces which helped Gelichschaltung to occur and what was their relationship?

Answer 58

‘Revolution from above’ - Nazi leadership from political centre in Berlin.

‘Revolution from below’ - SA at local level, extremists.

These two political forces attempted to ‘co-ordinate’ as many aspects of German life as possible along Nazi lines. However, differences over the exact long term goals of National Socialism laid the foundations for future conflict, the Night of the Long Knives.

Question 59

Describe the initial co-ordination and nazifying of Germany.

Answer 59

At first many Nazi organisations had to live alongside existing bodies, but they gradually replaced them. In this way, much of Germany’s educational and social life became increasingly controlled.

Question 60

What was the priority of Nazi leadership in 1933?

Answer 60

In 1933, the priority of Nazi leadership was to secure its political supremacy through the process of ‘co-ordination’. It therefore had to deal with agencies at odds with Nazi political aspirations, such as regional states, the independent trade unions and political parties.

Question 61

What is Lander?

Answer 61

Lander is regional states, which have a very strong tradition in German History

Question 62

Why did Lander/regional states obstruct the Nazi’s desires of creating a fully unified country?

Answer 62

Regional states/ Lander obstructed the Nazi’s from creating a fully unified country because they have very strong tradition in German History

Question 63

Why did Hitler call for a restraint regarding regional states?

Answer 63

Hitler called for a restraint because Nazi activists had already exploited the climate of February - March 1933 to intimidate opponents and infiltrate regional governments. The Nazi ‘political success rapidly degenerated into terror and violence that seemed even beyond Hitler.

Question 64

How did Hitler take control of regional states/Lander?

Answer 64

First, a law of 31 March 1933 dissolved regional parliament (Landtage) and reformed them with acceptable majorities, allowing the Nazis to dominate them

Secondly a law of 7th April 1933 created Reich governors (Recihstatthalter) who were the local party (Gauleiter) with full powers

Finally, January 1934, regional state parliaments were abolished. The governments of all the states were subordinated to the ministry of Interior in Berlin central government.

Question 65

What law was passed to help control Lander in March 1933?

Answer 65

First, a law of 31 March 1933 dissolved regional parliament (Landtage) and reformed them with acceptable majorities, allowing the Nazis to dominate them

Question 66

What law was passed to help control Lander in April 1933?

Answer 66

Secondly a law of 7th April 1933 created Reich governors (Recihstatthalter) who were the local party (Gauleiter) with full powers

Question 67

What law was passed in January 1934 to help control Lander?

Answer 67

Finally, January 1934, regional state parliaments were abolished. The governments of all the states were subordinated to the ministry of Interior in Berlin central government.

Question 68

By 1934 what was the state of the federal principle government?

Answer 68

By early 1934 the federal principle government was useless. Even the Nazi Reich governors existed simply to ‘execute the will of the supreme leadership of the Reich’

Question 69

Why was Germany’s trade union movement powerful? Provide an example

Answer 69

Germany’s trade union movement was powerful because of its mass membership and strong connections with socialism and Catholicism.

In 1920 it had clearly shown its industrial muscle when a general strike defeated the Kapp Putsch.

German organised labour was hostile to Nazism so posed a major threat to the stability of the Nazi state.

Question 70

Why were trade unions a threat to the stability of the Nazi state?

Answer 70

Germany’s trade union movement was powerful because of its mass membership and strong connections with socialism and Catholicism.

In 1920 it had clearly shown its industrial muscle when a general strike defeated the Kapp Putsch.

German organised labour was hostile to Nazism so posed a major threat to the stability of the Nazi state.

Question 71

How did was the power of trade unions reduced?

Answer 71

By May 1933 the power of the trade unions was a spent force. The depression had already weakened it by reducing membership and lessening the will to resist. However the trade unions leaders had deluded themselves that they could work with the Nazis thereby preserve a degree of independence and at least the structure of trade unionism.

Question 72

What did trade union leaders want from working with the Nazis?

Answer 72

In the short term trade union leaders wanted, trade unionism to continue to serve its social role to help members

In the long term, to provide the framework for development in industrial relations in the post Nazi era.

Question 73

On the 1st May 1933, suprisingly what did the Nazis declare?

Answer 73

On the 1st May 1933, surprisingly, Nazis declared the day as a national holiday. This day was previously the traditional day of celebration for the international socialist labour. This gave the impression to the trade unions that there was some scope for co-operation.

Question 74

What was the significance of declaring the 1st May 1933 a national holiday?

Answer 74

On the 1st May 1933, surprisingly, Nazis declared the day as a national holiday. This day was previously the traditional day of celebration for the international socialist labour. This gave the impression to the trade unions that there was some scope for co-operation.

Question 75

What happened the following day, after the 1st of May was declared as a public holiday?

Answer 75

On the following day of the newly declared national holiday (1st May 1933), trade union premises were occupied by the SA and SS, union funds were confiscated and many of the leaders were arrested and sent to the early concentration camps such as Dachau.. This portrayed the Machiavellian and duplicitous characteristics of the party.

Question 76

What happened on the 2nd May 1933?

Answer 76

On the following day of the newly declared national holiday (1st May 1933), trade union premises were occupied by the SA and SS, union funds were confiscated and many of the leaders were arrested and sent to the early concentration camps such as Dachau.. This portrayed the Machiavellian and duplicitous characteristics of the party.

Question 77

What replaced trade unions?

Answer 77

Trade unions were banned and replaced by the German Labour Front (DAF) , all German workers’ organisations were absorbed into it.

Question 78

Who led the German Labour Front (DAF)?

Answer 78

Robert Ley led the German Labour front (DAF)

Question 79

How did the German Labour Front operate?

Answer 79

The DAF became the largest organisation in Nazi Germany with 22 million members, but it acted more as an instrument of control than as a genuine representative body of workers’ interests and concerns.

Also it lacked the most fundamental right to negotiate wages and conditions of work. So by the end of 1933, the power of the German Labour Front movement had been decisively broken.

Question 80

How large was the DAF?

Answer 80

The DAF became the largest organisation in Nazi Germany with 22 million members

Question 81

Why did the power of the German Labour Front movement collapse?

Answer 81

The power of the German Labour Front movement collapsed because it acted more as an instrument of control than as a genuine representative body of workers’ interests and concerns.

Also it lacked the most fundamental right to negotiate wages and conditions of work. So by the end of 1933, the power of the German Labour Front movement had been decisively broken.

Question 82

What was the Nazis stance on other political parties?

Answer 82

The process of Gleichschaltung could never allow the existence of other political parties. Nazism openly rejected democracy and any concessions to alternative opinions. Instead, it aspired to establish authoritarian rule within a one party state.

Question 83

How did the Nazis achieve their political desires of a authoritarian one party state?

Answer 83

The Nazis achieved their political desires by:

• Outlawing Communists since the Reichstag fire
• The destruction of trade unions allowed assets of the Social Democrats to be seized and banned on the 22nd June 1933 officially.
• Remaining major parties willingly agreed to dissolve themselves in the late course of June 1933- even the Nationalists (previously coalition partners with the Nazis) obligingly accepted
• Catholic Centre Party decided to give up the struggle and followed suit on 5th July 1933.

Question 84

When were the Social Democrats officially banned?

Answer 84

The destruction of trade unions allowed assets of the Social Democrats to be seized and banned on the 22nd June 1933 officially.

Question 85

During the process of Gleischaltung what happened to the majority of political parties?

Answer 85

• Remaining major parties willingly agreed to dissolve themselves in the late course of June 1933- even the Nationalists (previously coalition partners with the Nazis) obligingly accepted
• Catholic Centre Party decided to give up the struggle and followed suit on 5th July 1933.

Question 86

When did the Catholic Centre Party willingly dissolve?

Answer 86

Catholic Centre Party decided to give up the struggle and followed suit on 5th July 1933.

Question 87

What decree was proclaimed on the 14th July 1933?

Answer 87

There was no opposition left on the 14th of July when a decree fully proclaimed ‘The Law against the Establishment of Parties’, which, made the Nazi party the only legal political party in Germany, achieving their desires of becoming a one-party state dictatorship

Question 88

When did Germany become the only legal political party in Germany?

Answer 88

There was no opposition left on the 14th of July when a decree fully proclaimed ‘The Law against the Establishment of Parties’, which, made the Nazi party the only legal political party in Germany, achieving their desires of becoming a one-party state dictatorship

Question 89

Asses the success of Gleichschaltung within 1933.

Answer 89

By the end of 1933 the process of Gleichschaltung was well advanced in many areas of public life within Germany (trade unions, political parties and regional states), although far from complete.

In particular, it had made limited impression on the role and influence of the army, big business and the churches (although and agreement had been made with the papacy in July 1933).

Also the civil service and education had only been partially co-ordinated. This was mainly due to Hitler’s determination to shape events through the ‘revolution from above’ and avoid antagonising such powerful vested interests.

Yet there were many in the lower ranks of the party who had contributed to the ‘revolution from below’ and who now wanted to extend the process of Gelichschaltung. It was this internal party conflict which led to the Night of the Long Knives and the destruction of the SA in June 1934.

Question 90

What led to the Night of the Long Knives?

Answer 90

Hitler had determination to shape events through the ‘revolution from above’ and avoid antagonising such powerful vested interests.

Yet there were many in the lower ranks of the party who had contributed to the ‘revolution from below’ and who now wanted to extend the process of Gelichschaltung. It was this internal party conflict which led to the Night of the Long Knives and the destruction of the SA in June 1934.

Question 91

How did it take Hitler to turn Germany into a one-party dictatorship?

Answer 91

Within 6 months of coming to power Hitler had turned Germany into a one-party dictatorship.

Question 92

What did Hitler warn the Reich governors of in his speech on 6th July 1933?

Answer 92

Hitler warned the Reich governors of the dangers of a permanent state of revolution in his speech on the 6th of July 1933

Question 93

When did Hitler warn the Reich governors of the dangers of permanent state of revolution?

Answer 93

Hitler warned the Reich governors of the dangers of a permanent state of revolution in his speech on the 6th of July 1933

Question 94

In response to the possible dangers of a permanent state of revolution, how did Hitler respond?

Answer 94

In response to the possible dangers of a permanent state of revolution Hitler formally declared an end to the revolution and demanded that the steam of revolution must be guided into the safe channel of evolution

Question 95

What did Hitler demand, amid fears of a permanent state of revolution?

Answer 95

In response to the possible dangers of a permanent state of revolution Hitler formally declared an end to the revolution and demanded that the steam of revolution must be guided into the safe channel of evolution

Question 96

What was Hitler’s political dilemma regarding party activists and why?

Answer 96

Hitler was caught in a political dilemma. He was increasingly concerned that the behaviour of party activists was beyond his control. This was likely to create embarrassment in his relations with the more conservative forces whose support he still depended on, for example big business’, civil service and the army. Hitler’s speech on the 6th of July amounted to a clear-cut demand for the party to accept the realities of political compromise and the necessity of change from above and not the revolution from below.

Question 97

How did Hitler address the revolution from above his speech on the 6th July 1933?

Answer 97

Hitler’s speech on the 6th of July amounted to a clear-cut demand for the party to accept the realities of political compromise and the necessity of change from above and not the revolution from below.

Question 98

What was the response to Hitler’s speech regarding the revolution from below?

Answer 98

Hitler’s appeal failed to have the desired effect. If anything, it reinforced the fears of many party members that the Nazi leadership was prepared to dilute National Socialist ideology. These concerns rised from the SA members giving rise to call for a “Second revolution’

Question 99

What was the ‘second revolution’?

Answer 99

The aims of Rohm and the SA were for social and economic reforms and the creation of ‘people’s army’ which would merge the German Army and the SA. These aims were more attractive to ‘left-wing Nazis’ or ‘radical Nazis’

Question 100

Who did the ideology of the SA appeal to, particularly the Second Revolution?

Answer 100

The aims of Rohm and the SA were for social and economic reforms and the creation of ‘people’s army’ which would merge the German Army and the SA. These aims were more attractive to ‘left-wing Nazis’ or ‘radical Nazis’

Question 101

How many members did the SA have in 1931?

Answer 101

The SA had 100,000 members in 1931.

Question 102

How many members did the SA have in 1933?

Answer 102

The SA had 425,000 members in 1933.

Question 103

How many members did the SA have in 1934?

Answer 103

The SA had 3,000,000 members in 1934.

Question 104

Why did the number of members in the SA grow?

Answer 104

SA membership grew at first because of the large number of unemployed young men, but from 1933 many joined simply as a way to advance themselves.

The growing SA represented the radical, left wing of the Nazi Party and to a large extent reflected a more working-class membership, often young and unemployed. It placed far more emphasis on the socialist elements of the party programme than Hitler did, and it did not attempt to satisfy the elites.

Question 105

What did the growth of the SA represent?

Answer 105

The growing SA represented the radical, left wing of the Nazi Party and to a large extent reflected a more working-class membership, often young and unemployed. It placed far more emphasis on the socialist elements of the party programme than Hitler did, and it did not attempt to satisfy the elites.

Question 106

Why was the revolution from below from the SA more appealing to the young, unemployed, working class section of society?

Answer 106

The growing SA represented the radical, left wing of the Nazi Party and to a large extent reflected a more working-class membership, often young and unemployed. It placed far more emphasis on the socialist elements of the party programme than Hitler did, and it did not attempt to satisfy the elites.

Question 107

Why were the SA embittered after their vital role in winning the political battle on the streets in 1933?

Answer 107

After the vital role of winning the political battle on the streets in 1933, many members were embittered and frustrated over the limited nature of the Nazi revolution.

They were also disappointed by their own lack of personal gain from this acquisition of power.

Question 108

Who optimised the embittered views of the SA?

Answer 108

Ernst Rohm epitomised the embittered views of the SA as leader. He openly called for a genuine “National Socialist Revolution”. He was increasingly disillusioned by the politics of his old friend Hitler and stated that ‘Adolf is a swine. He will give us all away’.

Question 109

Who was Ernst Rohm?

Answer 109

Ernst Rohm was an early member of NSDAP who helped form the SA and favoured the ‘radical Nazis’. He was homosexual and a heavy drinker, and enjoyed the blood and violence of war and political street battles. By 1931 he had turned the SA into a powerful force. He was arrested and murdered in the Night of the Long Knives.

Question 110

What did Ernst Rohm want for the SA?

Answer 110

Ernst Rohm wanted a more political ole for the SA, amalgamating it with the army into a people’s milita - of which he would be commander. This is because he did not want SA marches and rallies to degenerate into mere propaganda shows now that street fighting was over. He also had hopes for fundamental economic and social reforms.

Question 111

How did the desires of Ernst Rohm cause conflict?

Answer 111

Rohm’s plan was anathema to the German army, which saw its traditional role and status directly threatened. Hitler was therefore caught between two powerful, but rival forces. Both could create considerable political difficulties for him.

Question 112

Describe the dilemma which Hitler faced between the SA and the army.

Answer 112

The Sa consisted of 3 million committed Nazis, with Hitler’s oldest political friend leading it. If had fought for Hitler in the 1923 Munich Putsch and in the battle of the battle of the streets 1930-1933. The SA was far larger than the army, but the army was the one organisation that could unseat Hitler. The officer class were suspicious that Hitler had close social ties with other powerful interests, for example the civil service and Junkers. More over the army alone possessed military skills vital to success of his foreign policy aims. However large, the SA could never match the discipline and professional expertise of the army.

Question 113

How did Hitler initially attempt to deal with the political dilemma between the SA and Army?

Answer 113

Political realties dictated that Hitler had to retain the backing of the army but, in the Winter of 1933-34, he was still loath to engineer a showdown with Ernst Rohm.

He tried to conciliate Rohm by bringing him into the cabinet. He also called a meeting in February between the leaders of the army, the SA and the SS to seek an agreement about the role of each within the Nazi state. However, the tension did not ease. Rohm and the SA resented Hitler’s apparent acceptance of the privileged position of the army, while the unrestrained actions and ill discipline of the SA increased dissatisfaction among the generals.

Question 114

Why did Hitler carry out the Night of the Long Knives?

Answer 114

The developing political crisis came to a head in April 1934 when it became apparent that President Hindenburg did not have long to live. The implications of this were profound, as Hitler wanted to assume the presidency without opposition. He certainly did not want a contested election, and had no sympathy for those who wanted to restore monarchy.

Therefore Hitler was forced by the need to secure the army’s backing for his succession to Hindenburg.

Question 115

Why was it prudent that Hitler chose to support the army and not the SA?

Answer 115

The support of the army had become the key to the survival of Hitler’s regime in the short term, while in the long term it offered the means to fulfil his ambitions in foreign affairs. Any personal loyalty Hitler felt for Rohm and the SA was ignored. The army desired for the SA’s elimination and an end to the talk of a ‘second revolution’ and a ‘people’s army’. By agreeing to this Hitler could gain the favour of the army generals, secure his personal position and remove an increasingly embarrassing internal opposition from his party.

Question 116

How was it decided to remove the SA removed?

Answer 116

A meeting between Hitler and two leading generals, Bloomberg and Fritsch, came to an agreed position against Rohm and the SA. Furthermore influential figures within the Nazi party, in particular Goring and Himmler, were also manoeuvring behind the scenes. They were aiming for a similar outcome in order to further their own ambitions by removing a powerful rival. (April)

Hitler’s decision was catalysed in mid June when Papen gave a speech for an end to SA excesses and criticised the policy the policy of co-ordination. Unsurprisingly his speech was seen as a clear challenge. Hitler recognised that he had to satisfy the conservative forces and that meant the destruction of the SA.

Question 117

How was the SA removed?

Answer 117

On 30th June 1934, the Night of the Long Knives, Hitler eliminated the SA as a political and military force once and for all. Rohm and the main leaders of the SA were shot by members of the SS, although the weapons and transport were provided by the army. There was no resistance of any substance. In addition various old scores were settled: Schleicher, the former chancellor and Strasser, the leader of the radical socialist left wing of the Nazi Party, were both killed. Altogether an estimated 200 people were murdered.

The Nazi newspaper, the People’s Observer stated that the Reich cabinet approved laws of self defence of the state and stated “measures taken on 30th June and 1st-2nd July to supress the acts of high treason are legal, being necessary for the defence of the state”, making the purge of the SA within the law.

Question 118

What was the significance of the Night of the Long Knives?

Answer 118

In one bloody action Hitler overcame the radical left of his own party, and neutralised the conservative right of traditional Germany.

German army endorsed the Nazi regime in Blomberg’s public vote of thanks to Hitler on July 1st. German soldiers agreed to take a personal oath of loyalty to Hitler rather than the state.

The SA was virtually disarmed and played no further political role in the Nazi state. It’s major role was now to attend propaganda rallies as a showpeice of force, as Rohm feared.

The incident marked the emergence of the SS. German generals feared the SA, but they failed to recognise the SS as the party’s elite institution of terror.

Above all Hitler secured his own personal political supremacy. His decisions and actions were all accepted. He told the Reichstag that ‘in this hour, I was responsible for the fate of the German natin and therby supreme judge’ meaning that the Nazi regime was no longer a traditional authoritarian one like Imperial germany 1871-1918; it was a personal dictatorship with frightening power.

Question 119

What were the effects of the purge of the SA in the Summer of 1934?

Answer 119

The effects of the purge of the SA were evident in the summer of 1934:

German army endorsed the Nazi regime in Blomberg’s public vote of thanks to Hitler on July 1st. German soldiers agreed to take a personal oath of loyalty to Hitler rather than the state.

The SA was virtually disarmed and played no further political role in the Nazi state. It’s major role was now to attend propaganda rallies as a showpeice of force, as Rohm feared.

The incident marked the emergence of the SS. German generals feared the SA, but they failed to recognise the SS as the party’s elite institution of terror.

Above all Hitler secured his own personal political supremacy. His decisions and actions were all accepted. He told the Reichstag that ‘in this hour, I was responsible for the fate of the German natin and therby supreme judge’ meaning that the Nazi regime was no longer a traditional authoritarian one like Imperial germany 1871-1918; it was a personal dictatorship with frightening power.

Question 120

What happened when Hindenburg died?

Answer 120

On 2 August 1934 when Hindenburg died, there was no political crisis. Hitler merged the offices of chancellor and president, and took the new official title of Fuhrer. The Nazi regime had been stabilised and the threat of a ‘second revolution’ had been completely removed.

Question 121

When did Hitler become Fuhrer?

Answer 121

On 2 August 1934 when Hindenburg died, there was no political crisis. Hitler merged the offices of chancellor and president, and took the new official title of Fuhrer. The Nazi regime had been stabilised and the threat of a ‘second revolution’ had been completely removed.

Question 122

Who was Werner Von Blomberg?

Answer 122

Member of the general staff. Appointed as minister of defence in 1933 and later war minister and commander in chief of the armed forces 1935-38. Forced to resign in 1938.

Question 123

How did the Nazis successfully establish a dictatorship?

Answer 123

Between 1933 and 1934 Hitler and the Nazis effectively established a dictatorship. This was achieved through a range of key factors:

Terror- Nazis used violence- increasingly without legal restriction, for example the arrest of the communists and the Night Of the Long Knives. nazi organisations also employed violence at local level to intimidate opposition.

Legality- The use of law by the Nazis, for example Emergency Decree of 28th February 1933, the Enabling Law and the dissolution of parties.

Deception- Hitler misled powerful groups in order to destroy them, for example the trade unions and SA.

Propaganda- The nazis successfully cultivated powerful images- especially when Gobbles took responsibility for Propaganda Ministry. Myths were developed about hitler as a respectable statesman, for example the Day of Potsdam.

Weaknesses of the opposition- In the early Weimar years, the left had considerable potential power, but it became divided between the Social Democrats and the Communists - and was marred by the economic problems of the depression.

Sympathy of the Conservative Right- many of the traditional vested interests, for example the army and civil service, were not wholly committed to Weimar and they really sympathised with a more authoritarian regime. They accepted the Night of the Long knives.

Question 124

What are the arguments for a revolution by late 1934?

Answer 124

The word revolution should be used with caution. It means fundamental change- an overturning of existing conditions. If Germany had undergone a ‘political revolution’ in the course of 1933-34, the evidence must support the idea that there was a decisive break in the country’s political development.

-At first glance the regime created by the Nazis by the end of 1934 seems the very opposite of the Weimar Republic. However Weimar Democracy had ceased to function effectively well before Hitler became chancellor. the strength of the anti democratic forces had threatened the young democracy from the very start, so it was never able to establish a strong base. yet, even by comparison with pre-1918 Germany, the regime had wrought fundamental changes:

1. Destruction of autonomy of federal states (the right of self-government)
   2. The intolerance shown towards any kind of political opposition
   3. The reduction of the Reichstag to complete impotence

Clearly Gleichschaltung decisively affected political traditions which had been key features in Imperial Germany 1871-1918. Thus, it is reasonable to view the events of 1933-34 as a ‘political revolution’, since the Nazis had turned their backs quite categorically on the federal and constitutional values which had even influenced an authoritarian regime like Imperial Germany.

Question 125

What is a revolution?

Answer 125

The word revolution should be used with caution. It means fundamental change- an overturning of existing conditions. If Germany had undergone a ‘political revolution’ in the course of 1933-34, the evidence must support the idea that there was a decisive break in the country’s political development.

Question 126

What are the arguments against there being a Nazi revolution by late 1934?

Answer 126

There were elements of continuity. At the time of Hindenburg’s death, major forces within Germany were still independant from the Nazi regime; namely the army, big business and the civil service. Christian Churches can be included however they do not carry the same degree of political weight.

Hitler’s willingness to enter into political partnership with these representatives of the old Germany had encouraged Rohm and the SA to demand a ‘ second revolution’. The elimination of the power of the SA in the Night of the Long Knives suggests that Hitler’s claim for a ‘national revolution’ had just been an attractive slogan.

This revolution was limited in scope. It involved political compromise and had not introduced any fundamental social or economic change. In this sense, one could suggest that the early years of the Nazi regime were merely a continuation of the socio-economic forces which had dominated Germany since 1871.

Certainly, this would seem to be a fair assessment of the situation until late 1934. However, the true revolutionary extent of the regime can only be fully assessed by considering the development s in Germany throughout the entire period of the Third Reich.

Question 127

Asses the suitability of deciding whether there was a Nazi revolution by late 1934.

Answer 127

Certainly, this would seem to be a fair assessment of the situation until late 1934. However, the true revolutionary extent of the regime can only be fully assessed by considering the development s in Germany throughout the entire period of the Third Reich.