Becoming Dictator Flashcards
1
Q
Reichstag fire:
A
- hitler wanted another election in March 1934 so Nazis could get an overall majority
- on 27th February Reichstag building was burnt down, and hitler took the opportunity to blame communists
- seem to be beginning of communist uprising
- Dutch communist caught with matches - hitter demanded emergency power to deal with situation
- Hindenburg passed the ‘decree for protection of the people and the state’ using article 48 - this allowed hitler to take over regional governments
- increase hitler’s power and he could exploit the crisis as a part of his campaign
- allowed hitler to make decisions, close meetings and arrest 4,000 communists
- allowed hitler to try and rid of the left wing political threat and decrease communist support
2
Q
General election (5th March 1933)
A
- had an election, appealing to German citizens in attempt to gain an overall majority, announced before Reichstag fire
- government used control of radio to portray an anticommunist message and the police to intimidate voters
- used the slogan ‘the battle against Marxism’
- only got 44% of votes
- hitler arrested 81 communist deputies
- able to use the resources of the state
- 50 political opponents killed and many injured
- nazi party had little money
- raised number of votes and increased his percentage to 52%, winning the overall majority
- believed it gave him mandate
- people supported his policies and wanted him to introduce some
3
Q
Enabling act (23rd March 1933)
A
- Reichstag allowed hitler to have power to make his own laws - needed 2/4 of vote of Reichstag
- communists could not vote - were banned
- creation of laws gave him more independence and power as would be able to pass decrees without president’s involvement
- nazi stormtroopers intimidated any opposition and threatened anyone who spoke against hitler
- signed concordat - no involvement from centre party
- this act made hitler the dictator of germany
- increased his levels of authority and power enabling him to make decisions legally
- only social democrats voted against
- 444 votes to 94 against
4
Q
Gestapo set up (26th April) and dachau opened (23rd March)
A
- Nazis took over local government and police and hitler set up the gestapo
- these were the secret police force
- encouraged German citizens to report opponents
- many people such as Jews, communists, homosexuals, Protestants and gypsies were arrested and sent to concentration camps for minor ‘crimes’ such a owning a banned book or saying business was bad
- dachau was the first camp to be opened.
- emphasised hitler’s power as he was arresting anyone who spoke against him
5
Q
Trade unions banned and opposition banned
A
- workers organisations were banned and all workers had to belong to the DAF (German workers’ front)
- this was a Nazi trade union existing to support the policies of Nazis rather than workers
- the law against the formation of parties declared that Nazis were the only political party in Germany
- all other parties were banned and their leaders were imprisoned
- emphasised his ability to control people
6
Q
Night of the long knives (30th June 1934)
A
- SA were a paramilitary force, but were badly disciplined
- leading officers of the army were unimpressed by hitler
- they were seen as a potential threat and embarrassment
- more than 1million
- army leaders were suspicious of the SA and leader Ernst Köhm who talked about making the SA a second army
- groups of SS members broke into Röhms home and arrested him and executed him as well as leading members of the SA
7
Q
Hindenburg’s death and army oath (2nd August 1934)
A
- Hindenburg died
- hitler took over office of the president and leader of the army
- soldiers had to swear to die for hitler personally.
- called himself Führer
8
Q
Becoming chancellor in 1933
A
- became chancellor, von Papen announced vice chancellor
- hitler’s power was limited, and hindenburgs actions were to control hitler - like a puppet
- nazi party was largest in Reichstag with 37% of votes
