Consolidation of power

Question 1

When was the Reichstag set on fire?

Answer 1

27th February 1933

Question 2

Who did the Nazis accuse of starting the Reichtag fire?

Answer 2

Dutch communist Marinus Van der Lubbe

Question 3

How did the Nazis use the Reichstag fire?

Answer 3

As propaganda to say the communists were dangerous people
Banned the party
Ban their newspapers
Arrest 20,000
Used article 48 to gain control

Question 4

What did Hitler force Hindenburg to sign after the fire?

Answer 4

‘Decree for the Protection of People and State’.
Suspended German citizens rights and have Nazis power to arrest opposition

Question 5

How many seats did the Nazis win in election following the fire?

Answer 5

288 seats

Question 6

Events of the March 1933 election

Answer 6

Nazi party didn’t win a majority so had to form a coalition w National party
Despite using SA to intimidate and banning of communists

Question 7

Enabling Act

Answer 7

Hitler had full power for 4 years:
Ultimate end of democracy
Voted in by Reichstag

Question 8

When was the Enabling Act passed and why?

Answer 8

23rd March 1933
Because the passing of article 48 and banning of communists was only temporary.
This would make it permanent

Question 9

Gleichschaltung

Answer 9

Nazi government controlled and monitored every aspect of German life

Question 10

When were trade unions banned and why?

Answer 10

2nd May 1933
Removed opposition of workers banding together to protest
Created an invisible divide

Question 11

What replaced trade unions?

Answer 11

The National Labour Front
DAF

Question 12

What and when was the first concentration camp established?

Answer 12

Dachau
March 1933

Question 13

Use of early concentration camps

Answer 13

Imprison political prisoners

Question 14

What happened to remaining political parties?

Answer 14

They disbanded

Question 15

Law against formation of parties passed and why?

Answer 15

14th July 1933
Destroyed any fragments of democracy in Germany and removed outside opposition

Question 16

Results of November 1933 election?

Answer 16

Nazis won 95.2% of the vote

Question 17

How many ballots were spoilt?

Answer 17

3 million
Meaning they refused to vote for Hitler as he was the only option

Question 18

Night of the Long Knives events

Answer 18

Hitler needed support from army but they didn’t like the SA
However Röhm wanted to incorporate SA and military
Therefore SS members shot leaders of SA and other political enemies

Question 19

When was the Night of the Long Knives?

Answer 19

30th June 1934

Question 20

What other significant figures killed in NOTLK

Answer 20

Von Schleicher
Gregory Strasser (former Nazi who could have overtaken Hitler)

Question 21

How many people were killed in NOTLK

Answer 21

400 people

Question 22

What were the consequences of NOTLK

Answer 22

SA members relegated to minor role
All opposition within the party now removed

Question 23

Year Hindenburg died

Answer 23

1934

Question 24

What was the most important step to consolidating power?

Answer 24

Enabling act as it made permanent and solidified Hitler’s dictatorship/ gleichschaltung
Allowed him to have complete control and pass all later laws

Question 25

Did Hitler act within the law to seize power? (Arguments against)

Answer 25

No because before SA were intimidating citizens at voting booths
Night of long knives was still illegal as murder was still a crime

Question 26

Enabling act contents

Answer 26

Hitler had full power for 4 years
Ultimate end of democracy
Established police state: no fair trials, all citizens closely monitored

Question 27

Did Hitler act within the law to seize power? (Arguments for)

Answer 27

He used Weimar own faulty legal framework to make himself Fuhr
Still called elections to get a majority