Achieving total power July 1933 - August 1934

Question 1

What was the people Courts?

Answer 1

• It was a separate court outside the normal justice system to deal with political offences
• Only Nazi-approved judges were chosen
• Number of death penalties increased year on year

Question 2

How did the Nazis control the local governments?

Answer 2

• In Jan 1934, the Act of Reconstruction of the State was passed
• This gave more power to the central government

Question 3

How did Rohm want to expand the SA and how did Hitler react?

Answer 3

• Rohm wanted to take over the German Army
• Hitler rejected this idea and then tasked the SS with making up evidence that Rohm and the SA were planning a national uprising

Question 4

When was the Night of Long Knives?

Answer 4

30th June 1934

Question 5

What were the key events of the Night of Long Knives?

Answer 5

• Most SA prominent were arrested and sent to prison. Many were killed.
• Rohm was give the option to kill himself but refused, so he was murdered by the SS
• Von papen and von Schleisher (conservative opponents) were arrested
• 85 people were murdered

Question 6

What were the consequences of the Night of Long Knives?

Answer 6

• The power of the SA was reduced
• Hitler had gained loyalty of the German army
• Legality of murder was used as a political tool (Extrajudicial killing became acceptable with Hitler as the supreme judge of the people)
• The rise of Himmler and the SS because they had gained Hitler’s loyalty

Question 7

What was the Act Concerning the Head of the State?

Answer 7

Meant that the moment that Hindenburg died, the power of the President would merge with Hitlers Chancellor into the, Furher

Question 8

When did Hindenburg die?

Answer 8

2 August 1934