DS2: Why was Hitler able to dominate Germany by 1934?

Question 1

How did Hitler gain control of the Nazi Party? [4]

Answer 1

• In July 1919, Hitler was appointed intelligence agent of the Reichswehr with the role to infiltrate the DAP. Hitler approved of the leader, Drexler, and joined the DAP in September 1919.
• Hitler joined the party in September 1919. The leader, Anton Drexler, soon realised that Hitler had a great talent for public speaking and invited him to join the party’s executive committee. Hitler was put in charge of propaganda.
• In 1920, Hitler played a major part in writing the party’s Twenty-Five Point Programme, setting out its beliefs. Hitler designed the party banner.
• Hitler was discharged from the army in March 1920 and began working full time for the NSDAP.
• In April 1920, the DAP was renamed the Nationalist Socialist German Workers’ Party. Later that year it published its newspaper in which Hitler was able to put forward his anti-Semitic views. This gained Hitler much support and in 1921 he replaced Drexler as leader of the party. He insisted the headquarters should be in Munich.
• Hitler was the leading speech maker of the Party, often in beerhalls

Question 2

What changes in German society did the Nazi Party want in 1920? [4]

Answer 2

• They wanted only ‘true’ Germans to be allowed to live in Germany.
• Jews would be excluded from Germany.
• Old age pensioners would be provided
  for generously.
• Gifted children would be educated at the state’s expense.
• Communism would be destroyed.

Question 3

How did the events of the Munich Putsch unfold? [5]

Answer 3

• Gustav von Kahr, the head of the Bavarian government, addressed a meeting of the Bavarian state officials on 8th November. SA men surrounded the hall where von Kahr was speaking. Hitler interrupted the meeting and announced he was taking over the government of Bavaria.
• Hitler was supported by Ludendorff. Von Kahr was persuaded at gunpoint to say that he supported the revolution. Von Kahr was locked in a room overnight. Von Kahr escaped. Von Kahr went back on his promise to support Hitler.
• On 9 November Hitler staged a march of 3000 Nazis with General Ludendorf through the streets of Munich to gain public support. Armed police arrived to confront Hitler and his supporters. Sixteen marchers were killed. Hitler escaped in a car.
• Hitler was arrested and charged with treason. He was sentenced to five years in prison. At his trial Hitler gained much publicity for himself and his ideas. He became known nationally rather than just in Bavaria because of the newspaper coverage.
• Hitler only served nine months in Landsberg Castle. It gave Hitler time to write a book, Mein Kampf. He was able to clarify and present his ideas for the future of Germany. As a result of the failure of the Putsch, Hitler realised that he would not be able to seize power by force. He realised that he would have to work within the democratic system to achieve power.

Question 4

Why did the Munich Putsch fail? [2]

Answer 4

• The Munich Putsch failed because Hitler overestimated the level of support he would have. He thought that General Ludendorff would be able to persuade the army to support the putsch, and that leading members of the Bavarian state government would do the same. Hitler was wrong. The army remained loyal to the Weimar government and the Bavarian head of government called out the armed police to break up Hitler’s march through
  the streets of Munich.
• Hitler had miscalculated the mood of the German people, who did not rise up and join the coup d’etat.

Question 5

Why was the Munich Putsch important for Hitler and the Nazi Party? [2 or 3]

Answer 5

• The Putsch showed that the SA was no match for the police and armed forces in Bavaria and yet this was one of the strongest areas for the Nazis.
• It meant that it was most unlikely that the Nazis would be able to seize power in the future because they did not have sufficient military force or the support from the people for a putsch.
• The Putsch turned Hitler into a nationally known politician. Hitler gained enormous publicity for himself and his ideas as every word was reported in the newspapers.
• As a result of the Putsch, Hitler realised that power could best be achieved in Germany through the ballot box rather than an armed uprising.
• While in jail, Hitler dictated Mein Kampf which set out the Nazis’ main beliefs and this became the basis of the party’s manifesto at future elections.

Question 6

What were the Nazis doing during the Stresemann Era 1924-1929? [5]

Answer 6

• The Nazis organised recruitment drives to gain more members - rising from 3,000 to 100,000 by 1928.
• They created a network of local Nazi parties.
• In 1925 Hitler persuaded the authorities to lift the ban on the Nazi Party.
• They enlarged the SA in 1925 - especially with unemployed ex-servicemen.
• They set up the SS - similar to the SA, but fanatically loyal to Hitler.
• They used propaganda to spread their message through posters, leaflets, films, radio, rallies. Joseph Goebbels took charge of this.
• They started to put candidates up for Reichstag elections.
• In 1926 Nazi organisations and youth organisations were established to try to appeal to certain interest groups. These were the Nazi Students’ League and The Hitler Youth
• In 1926 a Nazi Party rally was held at Weimar. This began the pattern of military style rallies and parades.
• In 1926 Hitler called a party conference and persuaded the members of the party to re-adopt the original Twenty Five Point Programme.
• In 1927 branches of the party were set up all over Germany and each regional organisation, or Gau, was put under the control of a Party official
  known as a Gauleiter.

Question 7

What were the aims and beliefs of the Nazi Party in the 1920s? [4]

Answer 7

• They were anti-Semitic. It included the abolition of the Treaty of Versailles.
• A union of Germany and Austria. Only true Germans allowed to live in Germany.
• Large industries and businesses to be nationalised.
• A strong central government.
• Most were similar to the Twenty Five Point Programme but more strongly expressed such as the Aryans were the Master Race and all other races, especially Jews, were inferior.
• He believed that Germany needed lebensraum.

Question 8

What were Hitler’s ideas in Mein Kampf and other writings? [3]

Answer 8

• Nationalism - intense loyalty to and pride in Germany.
• Foreign policy - expansionism, remilitarisation, lebensraum (especially
  Poland and Russia).
• Racism - German racial purity; Aryan (white European) master race vs. slave races (Untermenschen), especially the Jews.
• War - armed struggle was an essential part of the development of a healthy Aryan race.
• The Führer - total loyalty to the leader better than debate and democracy.

Question 9

Who voted for the Nazis between 1924 and 1929? [3]

Answer 9

• Some peasant farmers, especially in northern Germany - Nazis promised to help agriculture and praised peasants as racially pure.
• Some lower middle-class shopkeepers and small businessmen - who were struggling to make ends meet under the Weimar Republic and had been badly hit by the hyperinflation.
• Some conservative middle-class people in towns who liked the Nazi condemnation of Weimar culture as immoral.

Question 10

Who didn’t vote for the Nazis between 1924 and 1929?

Stat about election seats?

Answer 10

Workers - who either voted Communist or Socialist.

Only 12 Reichstag seats in 1928

Obviously SOME workers voted for the Nazis, but there was not much Nazi support from the workers.

Question 11

Why did the Nazi Party struggle to gain support before 1930? [3]

Answer 11

• The Munich Putsch of 1923 resulted in Hitler being imprisoned, its newspaper being banned and the party being banned. When the ban was lifted in 1925, Hitler made a speech which was so critical of the government that he was banned from making speeches for another two years.
• Stresemann’s economic and foreign policies were so successful that people gave very little support for extremist parties. In 1928 the Nazi Party had 12 seats in the Reichstag and was only the eighth largest party.’
• Most industrial workers tended to support left wing parties such as the communists. Parties like the communists often attacked Nazi Party meetings.
• As the Munich Putsch revealed, the Nazi Party did not have the support of either the police or the Army.
• The Nazis had little appeal for workers at this time. The Nazis argued that workers were being exploited, but industrial workers actually felt they were doing well in Weimar Germany. The majority of workers supported the SDP.

Question 12

How did The Great Depression help the Nazis? [4]

Also mention the Reichstag election results in the next few years?

Answer 12

• Inability of the Weimar government to take strong and decisive action - Hitler said Germany needed a strong leader like him to solve the economic problems.
• Continuing reparations - Hitler argued that these were now more intolerable than ever, and that the Versailles Treaty must be reversed.
• Unemployment - the Nazis would create more employment in the army, armaments industry and public works.
• When the Wall Street Crash occurred, the USA started to recall loans and there was a slow-down in economic activity resulting in 4 million unemployed Germans by 1930. The democratic parties failed to solve the unemployment problem and so electors turned to parties like the Nazis.
• The Nazis had groups to blame, like the Jews and the November Criminals, and had solutions such as rebuilding the armed forces and a programme of public works.
• The Nazi Twenty Five Point programme became attractive to the unemployed, the elderly and the middle classes.
• The Nazis organised soup kitchens and hostels for the unemployed.
• Result: in the 1930 Reichstag Election the Nazis won 107 seats; November 1932 nearly 200 seats, making them the largest party in the Reichstag (though not with an overall majority).

Question 13

Why were changes made by Hitler to the Nazi Party during the 1920s significant? [3]

This doesn’t really answer the question; just list ways they were changed.

Answer 13

• Failure of Munich Putsch and Hitler’s imprisonment led the party to seek a democratic route into power – Hitler dictates Mein Kampf in prison
• Nazi Party tried to appeal to all classes in German society
• SA violence was toned down
• Greater use of propaganda, marches and parades to demonstrate discipline to win middle-class vote;
• Anticommunism used to entice Big Business
• Anti-Semitism less explicit, etc.

Question 14

Why were changes made by Hitler to the Nazi party in the 1920s insignificant? [3]

Answer 14

• Main aims of the Nazi Party remained the same; Destroy the Treaty of Versailles, rearm Germany, take back lost German land, conquer Lebensraum;
• Racism, anti-Semitism and eugenic theories still central to Nazi beliefs
• Nazis still used paramilitary forces to protect them at meetings – SA and SS
• Hitler still the Fuhrer of party and main speaker
• Still used violence against communists, Jews and other opponents, etc.

Question 15

Why was the Munich Putsch important in the development of the Nazi Party up to 1930? [3]

Answer 15

• Munich Putsch highlighted the fact that violent revolution would not appeal to the middle classes
• Led Hitler to write Mein Kampf in Landsberg Prison and reassess tactics
• Hitler’s prison sentence made him believe the Nazis had to win power using democracy and then destroy the Weimar Republic from within; Munich Putsch had given Hitler a national audience
• He was well known for the Putsch and wanted to appeal to voters with nationalist sympathies
• Hitler aimed to get ‘catch-all’ vote by appealing to all classes
• Less anti-Semitism in speeches and propaganda; set up Hitler Youth, etc.

Question 16

Why was the Munich Putsch unimportant in the development of the Nazi Party up to 1930? [3]

Answer 16

• Nazis continued to use violence with the SA; propaganda remained a staple of the Nazi Party to appeal to supporters
• Most support still came from lower middle classes until the Depression
• SA still primarily working-class unemployed in make-up
• Great Depression allowed Hitler to exploit people’s fears, especially anti-Communism
• Hitler used hatred of Versailles Settlement
  to stir up anti-Weimar feeling from the beginning; Hitler was opportunistic in his tactics
• 25 Point Programme; the role of Hitler and other Nazi leaders such
  as Goebbels; ‘fuhrerprinzip’, etc.

Question 17

What was promised to the German people by the Nazis in the election campaigns of 1930–33? [4]

Answer 17

• They promised a strong Germany. To defend traditional order.
• Remove reparations.
• Strong leadership.
• Full employment.
  - To defeat Communism.
• To uphold the capitalist system.
• To abolish the Treaty of Versailles.
• To regain lost German territory.
• To punish those who ‘stabbed Germany in the back’.
• To give pride back to Germany.
• To deal with the “Jewish problem”.
• To restore old-fashioned values.
• To support German farmers.
• Re-armament.

Question 18

Why did the Nazis do well in elections? [3]

Answer 18

• Electoral tactics - catchy generalised slogans rather than specific policies (making it hard for their opponents to specifically criticise them); talk about uniting behind one leader; emphasis on traditional values; identifying scapegoats (Allies, Jews, Communists, Weimar politicians); contempt for Weimar democracy as unable to solve Germany’s problems; posters and pamphlets; impressively large and enthusiastic rallies; impressive discipline and order shown by SA and SS; soup kitchens and hostels for
  unemployed people.
• Hitler - the Nazis’ greatest asset; a powerful orator; a dynamic man with modern ideas; also a man of the people who understood ordinary
  Germans; increased his profile by winning 13 million votes in the 1932 Presidential Election (to Hindenburg’s 19 million).
• ‘Negative Cohesion’ - people who didn’t like the Nazis’ views still supported them because they shared some of their fears and dislikes - voting for negative rather than positive reasons.
• Disillusionment with democracy - inability of Weimar politicians to tackle the Depression, e.g. breakdown of Centre/Socialist coalition 1930, forcing Chancellor Heinrich Brüning to rely on Hindenburg’s emergency powers of presidential decree; thus politicians appear to be squabbling about coalitions and cabinet jobs instead of sorting out economic problems.
• The threat of Communism - Communist support was growing, and middle-class businessmen and big industry were afraid that if Communists got
  into power they would introduce state control of business; farmers feared a Communist government would collectivise land; a growing feeling that the Nazis could combat these threats.
• Decadence - Nazis promised to restore old-fashioned values and end decadent Weimar culture.

Question 19

Why was Goebbels important in Hitlers’ rise to power? [4]

Answer 19

• Goebbels was important to Hitler because he organised three highly successful election campaigns. He arranged for Hitler to travel around the country by airplane with the slogan “the Fuhrer over Germany”. He organised massive rallies which either Hitler or himself addressed. - - - He was an outstanding orator and was very persuasive. He increasingly became a close friend of Hitler’s and Hitler knew he could rely upon him.
• He controlled regional Nazi newspapers. He edited the Nazi national paper ‘The People’s Observer’.
• He organised Hitler travelling around the country by airplane.
• Goebbels gave speeches during election campaigns.
• He produced striking posters with violent imagery.
• Goebbels used film, radio and records to bring the Nazi message to everybody.
• He encouraged Nazis to use slogans rather than detailed policies.

Question 20

How did Hitler become Chancellor in 1933? [5]

Answer 20

• Hitler challenged Hindenburg for the Presidency in March 1932. He won 13.4 million votes. The Presidential election campaign provided much-needed publicity for Nazi ideas.
• The Nazis had the most seats in the Reichstag (230 in July 1932; 196 in November 1932).
• But Hindenburg would not appoint Hitler Chancellor, and preferred his friend Franz von Papen.
• When Papen had virtually no support in the Reichstag, Hindenburg appointed Kurt von Schleicher, who also had very little support. Both could only govern by means of Hindeburg’s emergency presidential powers.
• Needing a Chancellor who had the support of the Reichstag, Hindenburg was forced to appoint Hitler in January 1933, with Papen as Vice-Chancellor, and a few Nazis in the Cabinet.
• Papen and Hindenburg believed they could resist Hitler’s influence and extremist demands, and at the same time use Hitler to get the support of the Reichstag for their ideas: they were wrong.

Question 21

Why did Hitler become Chancellor? [4]

Answer 21

• Hitler was a skilled public speaker and proved to be very persuasive. For the difficult times, he had attractive policies for the German people. Joseph Goebbels made effective use of propaganda and helped to portray Hitleras a commanding figure who had the answers to Germany’s problems.
• The owners of the big industries were very worried about the communists. They knew that communist policy would mean that their industries would be placed under state control, which they did not want. Hitler promised to combat the threat of communism. The industrialists began to donate large sums of money to the Nazi Party.
• Hitler was admired by ordinary Germans because his policies were becoming popular. He wanted to abolish the Treaty of Versailles; he was anti-communist and he had ideas as to how the unemployment problem could be tackled.
• In difficult economic times, the Nazi Party programme proved to be very attractive to voters. The Nazis believed the Treaty of Versailles had to be abolished because it brought great misery on Germany. In particular, the heavy reparations weakened Germany’s economy.
• At a time of massive unemployment, the Nazis programme of work was appealing. A huge range of jobs were outlined from the re-building of the armed forces to the building of homes and motorways.
• Many Nazis blamed the Jews for all Germany’s problems from the loss of the First World War to the Depression. It was appealing to have someone to blame. Jews throughout Europe were not popular and the Nazis played on this factor.
• The death of Stresemann and the Wall Street Crash in 1929 caused an economic crisis for Germany. People began to lose faith in parliamentary democracy and turned to those offering a radical solution.
• Under the effects of the Wall Street Crash, Germany sunk into economic depression. Under these circumstances, the old hostility to the Weimar Republic re-surfaced, with people blaming the government. Many turned to parties, such as the Nazis, as they offered a radical solution to Germany’s problems.
• Between 1930 and 1932, Hitler exploited the government’s problems by holding huge rallies at which he promised to restore Germany’s economy, such as by huge employment schemes and destroying the Treaty of Versailles. This enabled the Nazi Party to win 230 seats in July 1932, becoming the largest party in the Reichstag.
• Between 1930 and 1932, no one party had enough support to form a strong government and Hindenburg ruled by decree. He appointed his own chancellors. Muller, Bruning, von Papen and Schleicher all failed to cope with the crisis and they could not command a majority in the Reichstag. None of them had the ability of the deceased Stresemann.

Question 22

Why was the weakness of the political leaders of the Weimar Republic in 1932–33 significant as a reason for Hitler’s appointment as Chancellor in January 1933? [2]

Answer 22

• President Hindenburg had effectively ended democracy through the use of ‘rule by decree’; political instability with the Chancellorship
• Chancellors von Papen and von Schleicher could not form a majority government in the Reichstag; rivalry between von Papen and von Schleicher led to secret meetings with industrialists to agree to Hitler’s appointment as Chancellor
• Hitler was underestimated by von Papen and Hindenburg
• Bruning and Weimar government were not effective at dealing with effects of Depression,
  etc.

Question 23

Why was the weakness of the political leaders of the Weimar Republic in 1932–33 insignificant as a reason for Hitler’s appointment as Chancellor in January 1933? [3]

Answer 23

• Depression had led to huge increase of Nazi support – largest party in the Reichstag in 1932
• Nazis led an effective propaganda campaign
• Hitler’s leadership skills and campaigning
• Hitler’s promises appealed to many classes in Germany
• Nazis maintained a strong image with the public and promised strong, nationalist government
• Anti-Communism and ‘negative cohesion’
• Citizens disillusionment with democratic government; Wall Street Crash, etc.

Question 24

Explain the events of the Reichstag fire. [4]

When was the Reichstag Fire?

Answer 24

• The Reichstag building was destroyed and Hitler used the Fire to intensify anti- Communist hysteria.
• On the night of the Fire, 4,000 leading Communists were arrested and imprisoned, thus removing a threat.
• To increase Nazi control, the next day Hitler persuaded Hindenburg to pass an emergency decree suspending all articles in the constitution which guaranteed personal liberty and freedom of speech.
• It gave Hitler power to search houses, confiscate property and detain people without trial.
• The Nazis hated the Reichstag as it was seen as a symbol of the Weimar Republic. Its burning down removed this symbol. The Fire occurred just before the March 1933 elections.
• The Nazis won 288 seats but did not have an overall majority and, therefore, Hitler banned the 81 Communist deputies. This gave Hitler enough votes to pass the Enabling Act, which gave Hitler power to makes laws without referring to the Reichstag.

27th February 1933.

Question 25

Explain the terms and ideas of the Enabling Act. [4]

When was the Enabling Act passed?

Answer 25

• Using the SA and SS Hitler intimidated the Reichstag into passing this Act - which gave him power to pass laws without consulting the Reichstag
• Only the Socialists (SPD) voted against this (Communists were banned after the
  Reichstag Fire, Catholic Centre Party supported Hitler in return for retaining control of Catholic schools) - this gave Hitler virtual dictatorial powers.
• The law gave these powers for four years. The existing constitution could be ignored.
• It enabled Hitler to sign agreements with foreign countries. It enabled them to remove parliamentary democracy. It meant they could abolish state parliaments/rival political parties and trade unions. Did not have to seek
  emergency powers.

March 23, 1933.

Question 26

Describe the 1933-34 “Nazi Revolution”. [4]

Answer 26

Hitler now used his dictatorial powers to strengthen his position:
- Civil service, courts and education purged of Jews and opponents of Nazis (April 1933);
- Trade unions banned and workers forced to join German Labour Front. the Nazis confiscated all the property and funds of the Communist Party (May 1933)
- Law outlawing political parties other than the Nazis makes Germany a one-party state (July 1933)
- All state governments taken over by central
government (January 1934)
- Opponents of the Nazis leave Germany or are
taken to Concentration Camps, run by the SS.

Question 27

Describe the events of the Night of the Long Knives. [4]

When was the Night of the Long Knives?

Answer 27

• Hitler was embarrassed by the violence of the SA and felt that Röhm could be a threat to his position as leader of the party. Röhm’s left wing views could also offend the big businesses that had helped to fund the Nazis.
• Rohm wanted to merge the SA into the German army and for him to have control, but Hitler feared this would lose him the army’s support, particularly the generals Rohm wanted a second revolution to put socialist policies into practice.
• Many industrialists thought this programme looked too much like Communism. Hitler could not afford to upset industrial leaders, such as Krupps, Farben and Thyssen, because he needed their co-operation to produce the weapons for his armed forces.
• On the night of 30 June, 1934, Hitler arrived at a hotel in Bad Wiessee with heavily armed SS. He informed Röhm and other SA leaders they were under arrest. Over the next four days, other leaders were arrested by the SS and shot. It is estimated that between 200 and 400 were killed.
• During the Night of the Long Knives Röhm and Strasser, both possible rivals to Hitler’s position, were killed, as was the politician von Schleicher.
• This tightened Hitler’s control and he absorbed many SA members into the army, and subordinated the SA under the SS; in return the Army pledged its full allegiance to Hitler.

30 Jun 1934 – 2 Jul 1934.

Question 28

What did Hitler do after the death of Hindenburg? [2]

When did Hindenburg die?

Answer 28

• Hitler combined the offices of Chancellor and President and became Supreme Leader (Führer) of Germany - the army agreed to serve him, and in return
• Hitler began re-armament and brought back conscription, and made plans for an expansionist foreign policy.

2nd August 1934.

Question 29

Why was violence important in consolidating Hitler’s power after he became Chancellor in 1933? [2]

Answer 29

• Reichstag Fire gave him a decree for the Protection of the People and emergency powers; SA and SS violence against other parties, especially Communists and Social Democrats; intimidation
• Goering using Prussian police as ‘auxiliaries’
• Night of the Long Knives disposed of Rohm and other SA rivals as well as von Schleicher and gained army allegiance
• Himmler and SS; Death’s Head units and concentration camps from 1933; Gestapo, etc.

Question 30

Why was violence unimportant in consolidating Hitler’s power after he became Chancellor in 1933? [3]

Answer 30

• Quasi-legal means; appeal to the German People; largest party from March 1933, 44% of vote; Centre Party support
• Banning Communist and socialist parties and press
• Enabling Act; dissolution of trade unions; death of Hindenburg; abolition of federal
  states
• Business/army support; compliant churches – Concordat with Catholic Church
• Propaganda
• Economic measures and recovery; foreign policy and wartime patriotism
• Reversing the Treaty of Versailles – conscription, reclaiming lost territory, rearming, etc.

Question 31

Why was the economic crisis after 1929 important as a reason for Hitler
becoming dictator by 1934? [3]

Answer 31

• America called in reparation debts; effect on capitalists/middle class – banks and exports collapse; about 30% of workforce unemployed by
  1932
• Bruning cut expenditure and welfare benefits, Nazis organised soup kitchens and shelters
• Public’s fears of return to hyperinflation, able to
  intensify electioneering against Versailles
• Increased stress on ‘Socialist’ aims
  against Communists
• Economic promises – 55% of new Nazi members were from the unemployed between 1930–33; increase in vote 1930–33
• Schacht’s June 1933 programme of public works to create jobs, National Labour Service; unemployment fell from 6 million to 2.5 million in 18 months; agricultural reforms strengthened farmers’ support etc.

Question 32

Why was the economic crisis after 1929 unimportant as a reason for Hitler
becoming dictator by 1934? [3]

Answer 32

• Weaknesses of coalition governments; strength of Nazi organisation
• by 1932 Nazis were the largest party in the Reichstag
• Hindenburg using Article
  48 from 1930 laid groundwork
• Von Papen and von Schleicher rivalry misjudged Hitler; strengths as Chancellor
• Fears of Communism, a constant focus of Nazi electioneering and propaganda, even more support from industrialists/middle class; Nazi exploitation of the Reichstag Fire
• Communists still gained 81 seats in March 1933 election; press ban
• Intimidation in Reichstag led to the Enabling Act; about 10 000 arrests
• Night of the Long Knives. Death of Hindenburg – Hitler now Fuhrer etc.

Question 33

Why were Rohm and the SA significant in the development of the Nazi
Party to 1934? [2]

Answer 33

• Rohm, army links, member of the Freikorps 1919 and GWP
• Loyal to Hitler; founding member of the SA; populist, anti-capitalist, revolutionary
  aims; reflected more working class membership/appeal
• Drew recruits especially from unemployed/ex-Freikorp
• SA major role in political battles on the streets, especially against Communists, and terrorising Jews
• Membership of SA under Rohm rose from 70 000 in 1931 to 170 000 by 1933 and about three million by 1934
• Rohm suspicious of Hitler’s links to business; wanted a ‘second revolution’ after Enabling Act, and integration of SA and army under his command
• Night of the Long Knives major effects on SA etc.

Question 34

Why were Rohm and the SA insignificant in the development of the Nazi
Party to 1934? [2]

Answer 34

• After Beer Hall Putsch SA banned; Rohm fled to Bolivia in 1925, only recalled by Hitler in 1931 homosexuality scandal
• Rivalry with others such as
  Goering and Himmler - other leaders more influential; Hitler leader by 1921; named NSDAP, Munich Putsch, Mein Kampf, Aryan supremacy, adoption of legal means - Goering; Goebbels in charge of Party propaganda machine from 1931, managing image – uniforms, swastika, rallies, Hitler Youth
• ‘Socialist’ programme became more nationalist
• Hierarchical Party structure
• Weaknesses of other political parties/leaders
• 25 Point Programme
• Hyperinflation; Depression etc.

Question 35

Why was the Night of the Long Knives insignificant in securing Hitler’s control of Germany? [1(with 3 sub-points) and 1]

Answer 35

• Other more significant factors:
  1. Nazis had been the largest party in the Reichstag since July 1932 – by March 1933 had 44% of the seats, Reichstag Fire Feb 1933 led to emergency powers for Hitler to deal with communist threat – 3000 KPD members arrested and sent to Dachau
  2. Enabling Act March 1933 – Hitler gains dictatorial powers – led to control over police, courts, trade unions banned and DAF formed to control workers, all other political parties banned (one-party state),
  3. Concordat with Catholic Church
• Nazi control of all forms of media and constant Nazi propaganda (Goebbels as Minister of Propaganda and Enlightenment)
• Use of SA violence and intimidation through the SS and Gestapo; fear of concentration camps etc.

Question 36

Why was the Night of the Long Knives significant in securing Hitler’s control of Germany? [2]

Answer 36

• Removed internal threat of Rohm and SA – approx. 4 million members of SA by 1934
• Gained support of German Generals of the
  Reichswehr who were threatened by the size of the SA and Rohm’s plans to merge the army with the SA to create a ‘People’s Militia’ – after death of Hindenburg, armed forces swore an oath of loyalty to Hitler August 1934
• Demonstrated Hitler’s ruthlessness to the nation, the Nazi Party and opposition
• Made other top Nazis (e.g. Goering, Himmler and Goebbels) ‘bloody’ their hands; allowed Hitler to remove other non-SA opposition e.g. von Schleicher and Gregor Strasser (Nazi political rival)
• Hindenburg threatened to declare Martial Law after SA uprising in Berlin – congratulated Hitler after the purge etc.