consolidation of power and nazi political system Flashcards
When was the Reichstag fire?
27th February 1933
When was the Emergency Decree passed?
28th february 1933
When was the Enabling Act passed?
March 23, 1933
write down everything about Hitlers consolidation of power
Reichstag fire
emergency decree
enabling act
night of the long knives and significance
Reichstag Fire
27th February 1933
Reichstag burnt down and young communist blamed → made it easy for Nazi propaganda to spread fear of communism
Induced Hitlers colleagues to consent to an emergency decree (emergency decree (artile 48) 28th Febuary essentially ‘legalised Nazi terror)(state of emergency fabricated)
Communist party discredited
Helped hitler win March election (5th March 1933, 88% turnout, Nazi vote increased from 33.1% to 43.8%)
Enabling Act
23rd March 1933
Essentially made Hitler a dictator - ‘legal revolution’
Potsdam ceremony on 21st Match helped restore Hitlers image
Banning communists from the reichstag, (the communists had gained 81 seats in the March 5th election, having been voted in by the public) and intimidation from the SA(surrounded building during the voting) and appealing to ZP with(empty) promises allowed the act to be passed
Enabling law passed 444 to 94 votes - ⅔ reichstag as needed
The Night of the Long Knives and the impact of the death of President Hindenburg;
Hindenburg died 2nd August 1934
As it became clear his death was approaching in April Hitler realised he had to have the army on his side so he could assume the presidency unopposed after Hindenburg’s death.
To appease the army he had to sacrifice Rohm and the SA who were calling for ‘a second revolution’ and a ‘people’s army’
Following a speech by Papen which seemed a direct challenge to Hitlers policies, the Night of the Long Knives took place, 30th June 1934
Rohm and the main leaders of the SA were shot by the SS, though weapons and transport were provided by the army.
Old scores were settled, and around 400 people murdered.
The significance: This destroyed all opposition to Hitler within the Nazi Party and gave power to the brutal SS. It also showed the rest of the world what a tyrant Hitler was. This removed any internal Nazi Party opposition to Hitler.
what was the role of hitler
The role of hitler -
Hitler was crucial because he was responsible for the overall Nazi dream
He had no real effective opposition to him or his aims
He generated an environment in which his followers carried out his presumed intentions - ‘The Will of the Fuhrer’/’working towards the Fuhrer’
What is the meaning of ‘Polycratic’?
‘Polycratic’ - different people doing same job, competing and overlapping, ‘divide and conquer’
In what way was Germany a dual state?
It was a dual state as the Nazis had to share power with members of the old Weimar system, such as the extensive civil service, as the Nazis didn’t have the means to replace these well established institutions.
What happened to Reichstag, Cabinet, Local government, civil service, The foreign office, Courts and legal system
Reichstag - lost its proper role and rarley met after 1933, contained only Nazis
Cabinet - fell into disuse
Local government - democratic system replaced by centrally appointed officials
Civil service - all members eventually had to join Nazi party
The foreign office - eventurally staffed by Nazis
Courts and legal system - coordinated to follow the governments will more closely
