Consolidation Period

Question 1

Consolidation

Reichstag Fire + Enabling Act

Answer 1

REICHSTAG FIRE
1. Feb 1933, RS set on fire by Dutch Comm - gave Nazis opportunity to target Comm incl. burning books by Jewish, feminist and pacifist autors + violence with 500+ killed.
2. Decree removing all civil right const guarantees.
3. All Comm deputies arresyed - 4000 in following days

ENABLING ACT
4. Nazis needed 2/3 of RS to alter cons - act proposed to allow laws without RS or Pres consent.
5. Packed galleries/meeting chambers with SA.
6. Goring reduced number needed from 432-278
7. FINAL VOTE 94:444

FISCHER - fire too convenient not to suspect Nazis had hand in it.
KERSHAW - decree = platform for dictatorship.
TRAD - involved, REV - not.

Question 2

Consolidation

Terror + Night of Long Knives

6, 0H.

Answer 2

NOLK
1. 30 June -2 July Spurred by riotous behaviour from SA - HB threatened to enact martial law if not controlled.
2. SA made army nervous - wanted on-side.
3. 74-200 killed - SA members and H opponents - Rohm SA leader previously critical of regime and wanted socialist govt.
4. Actions legalised retrospectively.

TERROR
1. Kopenik Blood Week - wc area, arrestred TU and Scoailist members.
2. Dacchau camp - 2600 detained in summer 1933.
3. SS acted as extra police, used RFD to arrest any suspects.

Question 3

Consolidation

Gleichschaltung

4, 0H

MEANS - political opposition destroyed and ‘cooperation’

Answer 3

1. Aapril 1933, Nazi officials put in charge of local govt.
2. May 1933 - 1st = Day of National Labour demon, 10m participating -n 2nd = all TU shut down, TU and SPD offices occupied, papers destroyed and funds sezied, leaders arrested.
3. Law Against Formation of New Partied July 1933 - SPD + KPD outlawed, others forced to dissolve.
4. Kept RS and Reich Cabinet but rarely met - 6 in 1936.

Question 4

Consolidation

Election + Chancellor

Answer 4

1. MARCH 1933 - Nazis won 44%, biggest for any party ever - up 10% from previous - 88% turnout.
2. HDB DEATH - Aug 1st = law saying death meant Chancellor and President combine, died following day - Ref to ask for public approval 90% supported - army took oath of allegiance to H.