Becoming Fuhrer Flashcards
What are the key ‘steps’ between Hitler becoming Chancellor to being Fuhrer?
The Reichstag Fire The Enabling Act Removal of Trade Unions Removal of Political Parties Night of the Long Knives Death of Hindenburg
When was the Reichstag Fire?
27th February 1933
Who apparently started the Reichstag Fire?
Marius van der Lubbe
Name 2 consequences of the Reichstag Fire
4000 Communist leaders arrested
Hitler was allowed to rule by Emergency Decree
Fresh elections held in March
Hitler now controlled the police force
Police were now able to search houses, confiscate property, detain people without trial and target Communist leaders
How many seats did the Nazi party win in the March 1933 election?
288
What were the terms of the Enabling Act?
Hitler would have the power to make laws without the consent of the Reichstag for the next 4 years
Essentially, Hitler became a dictator
How did the Nazis secure a 2/3’s majority to pass the Enabling Act?
Prevented Communists from taking up their seats
Got support from the National Party and Centre Party
The SA surrounded the Reichstag during the vote
How did Hitler secure the support of the Centre Party?
He promised to defend the interests of the Catholic Church
How did Hitler reorganise State parliaments?
Closed them on 31st March 1933
Reorganised them so the Nazis had majority in every state
Appointed Nazi State governors
Abolished all state governments in January 1934
Why did Hitler ban Trade Unions?
Threat as they could organise strikes
Members might have first allegiance to union rather than Nazis
Close links to Communism
Would please businesses and employers
When were Trade Unions banned?
May 1933
What replaced Trade Unions?
German Labour Front
When did Hitler remove other political parties?
May 1933
SDP and Communists offices attacked and funds confiscated
July 1933 Law introduced stating Nazi Party only party allowed in Germany
When was the Night of the Long Knives?
30th June 1934
Why was the SA purged?
Rohm threat to Hitler as leader
2 million men becoming increasingly violent
Rohm wanted to merge SA and Army- this would alienate army leaders
Rohm favoured a second revolution that would lead to more socialist policies- worried industrialists
Power struggle between SS and SA
Rohm’s personal preferences had tarnished the image of the Nazi Party
