Consolidation of Power

Question 1

Explain Hitler’s reasoning for the creation of the one-parth state

Answer 1

• Hitler viewed conventional parties as representing narrow interests instead of the interests of the nation as a whole.
  -> claimed the Nazi party was the ‘racial core’ of the entire people.
• In Nazi Volk, there could be no other parties other than the Nazi party.
  -> the one party state achieved in stages.

Question 2

Explain the development of the creation of the one-party state

Answer 2

• KPD was banned after Reich Fire in Feb 1933.
  -> most communists who had not been imprisoned in camps fled to exile.
• SPD continued voicing opposition to the regime until was outlawed as a ‘hostile to the nation and the state’ on 22 June 1933.
• realising days were numbered, DNVP and Centre parties dissolved themselves.
  -> DNVP on 27 June + Centre Party on 5 June.
• 14 July 1933 -> law against Formation of New Parties outlawed all non-Nazi political parties.

Question 3

What is a federal state

Answer 3

• a state in which a number of small states keep control many of their internal affairs.
  -> decisions about national issues are the responsibility of the central government.

Question 4

Explain the centralisation of power and control over local govs

Answer 4

1) 31 March 1933: 1st Law for Coordination of the Federal States dissolved existing state assemblies -> replaced with Nazi-dominated assemblies.

2) 30 Jan 1934: Law for Reconstruction of the Reich -> posts of Reich governors (who oversaw affairs of a state) were now redundant.

3) 14 Feb 1934: Reichstrat abolished.

• all state level, Nazi leaders known as Gauleiters took over roles of Reich Governors.
• Violent campaigns to oust political opponents from important positions, e.g. town mayors.
• the precise relationship between the party and the state was never clearly defined.

Question 5

Explain Nazi control over the civil service

Answer 5

• Nazis regarded Civil Service as an obstacle to their excercise of dictatorial power.
• Local officials were forced to resign -> replaced by Nazi party members -> many of whom had no exp of gov.
• SA also placed party officals in gov offices to ensure Civil servants were carrying out orders.

Question 6

What was the SA’s position before June 1934

Answer 6

• Hitler initially benefits from violence of SA initially -> clear out opponents.
• July 1933, after passing Law against Formation of Parties.
  -> Hitler declares Nazi revolution was over.
  -> Process of Gleichshaltung was complete (co-ordination).
• However for SA leader Ernst Rohm, SA wanted a 2nd Revolution.
  -> aimed for SA to be core of a national militia and replace the army.
• since summer 1933, their role was in decline.
  -> Aug 1933, lost ‘auxiliary police’ status.
• Election campaign of Nov 1933, no need for SA violence and intimidation.
  -> lacked an official outlet for violence, became restless -> drunken brawls became even more common and police became the target when they tried to intervene.

Question 7

Explain the background behind the Night of the Long Knives, June 1934

Answer 7

• Ambitions of the SA and Rohm were regarded as threat to army leaders -> esp after in summer 1934 SA units began stopping army convoys and confiscating weapons + supplies.
• 17th June 1934, Franz von Papen made the Marburg Speech, criticised weapons + SA.
• defence minister Blomberg, with Hindenburg’s support, threatened to declare martial law.
  -> Hitler has no choice but to take action against the SA.

Question 8

what were the features of the Night of the Long Knives

Answer 8

• launched purge on the SA and other opponents on 30 June 1934 -> carried out by SS.
  -> at least 84 were executed and 1000 were arrested.
  -> victims include Rohm, General Schleicher, Gustav von Kahr (who helped stop the Beer Hall Putsch).
• 13 July -> Hitler states he acted as ‘supreme judge’ of the people -> acted to save the country from the SA camp.
  -> secured army support.
• gained public support for decisive actions.
• After the Long Knives -> violence and terror became more systematic and controlled.
• with the SA removed, Blomberg and army leaders have no objection to Hitler succeeding Hindenburg.

Question 9

Explain the events of Hindenburg’s death

Answer 9

• dies on 2 Aug 1934.
  -> same day, officers + soldiers of army take an oath of allegience to Hitler (not the nation).
• 19 Aug -> plebiscite held to get Germany’s approval of Hitler’s appointment of fuhrer and Reich chancellor.
  -> 89.9% of voters approved of this.
• office of the president and the chancellor were merged.