consolidation of power Flashcards
when and what was the Enabling Act?
It was a 1933 law that gave Hitler the power to pass laws without consulting the Reichstag for 4 years, effectively giving him dictatorial powers.
What was the impact of censorship in Nazi Germany?
The Nazis controlled all the information that was printed/ broadcasted and ensured that only their propaganda was spread.
How did the Nazis control trade unions?
Trade unions were abolished and replaced by the German Labour Front, which was controlled by the Nazis to suppress workers’ rights and ensure loyalty to the regime.
What does ‘Gleichschaltung’ refer to?
Gleichschaltung refers to the process of Nazification, where all aspects of life were controlled and anything different was removed
when and who caused the reichstag fire
in february 1933 communist van der lubbe was found guilty of setting the reichstag building on fire and was executed.
how did hitler use the reichstag fire to his advantage
as hitler asked hindenburg to hold a general election for march 1933 which was after the fire, therefore he argued that the communists were planning a revolution and convinced hindenburg to pass a emergency law = legal revolution
what emergency law did hitler persuade hindenburg to pass and what did it allow him to do to the people and communists
decree of the protection of people and state so he could restrict free speech and imprison enemies without trial e.g communists leaders which stopped them from campaigning during election and ban their newspapers
what did hitler do to pass the enabling act
banned all communists from attending elections, accepted attendees as in favour of the enabling act and made SA intimidate other parties
what is meant by legal revolution and why was it useful to the nazis
achieving power through elections so the the nazis could destroy the republic from within
What were the consequences of the Enabling Act? (5)
dictatorship:
all trade unions were banned
strikes were made illegal
all other parties were banned by “law against formation of other parties”
all landers (local states) were run by reich governors
local parliaments were abolished
when and what was the ‘Night of the Long Knives’?
On June 30, 1934, Hitler had to choose between the army or SA. so he gave SA a 1 month holiday in June BUT on the night of the 30th, SS murdered 400 “enemies of state” including Ernst Röhm and former chancellor schleicher to secure the support of the army and eliminate threats to his power.
How did the ‘Night of the Long Knives’ strengthen Hitler’s position?
eliminated opponents who were a threat to his power, reduced the SA to a minor role, increased the importance of the SS, and secured the army’s support.
Why did Hitler see Ernst Röhm as a threat?
Röhm wanted more power by merging the SA and the army, posing a threat to Hitler’s power and control
When did Hindenburg die and what title did hitler create
august 1934 and the fuhrer by combining chancellor and president
What did Hitler become as Führer and when
Head of State and Commander-in-Chief in 1934
