Establishment of the Nazi dictatorship

Question 1

what were the features of Hitler’s cabinet

Answer 1

• the Nazi party had only 3 out of 12 ministers, reinforcing Papen’s view that no fundamental political chance would occur.
• ideally, the real decisions in cabinet would be taken by a non-Nazi majority, mostly made up by the old aristocratic elite.
• Papen believed Hitler would not be able to dominate his own cabinet and would not be able to become the dictator he aspired to be.

Question 2

Explain the features of the torchlight procession on the 30 Jan 1933 (when Hitler was appointed chancellor)

Answer 2

• there was a torchlight procession of around 100,000 Nazi members winding way through the streets of the capital Berlin.
• Organised Goebbels, this demo was designed to show Hitler’s appointment was not to be a normal change of gov.
• Hitler making it clear that their ascension would be historic and the start of the ‘National Revolution’.

Question 3

Explain the Nazis use of terror against political opponents

Answer 3

• Once in power, Hitler uses state resources to expand the SA which was a vital weapon for eliminating opposition.
  -> membership grew to around 3 million in 1934.
• SA activities became legal -> Feb 1933, SA and Stanhelm merged and became the ‘auxiliary police’ -> regular police forces were forbidden from interfering.
• SA unleash an assault on trade unions + KPD offices -> gangs of SA broke up SPD and KPD meetings.
• 1000s of communists, socialists and trade unionists were imprisoned in makeshift concentration camps were set up in old factories / army barracks.
• the 1st permanent con camp was set up on the 8 March 1933 at Dachau which had over 5000 people capacity.
• By July 1933, around 28,000 political prisoners were arrested by the SA and imprisoned in some 70 camps.

Question 4

what were the features of the Reichstag fire

Answer 4

• By the election on the 5 march 1933, SPD + KPD were driven underground by intimidation of Nazis.
• Reichstag fire on 27 Feb a key moment for Hitler’s campaign.
  -> communist Marinus van der Lubbe was charged for causing the fire.
  -> Nazis take advantage, claim it is a sign of a communist plot.
  -> the event was used to justify the suspension of civil liberties.

Question 5

What was the decreemformthe protection of the people and the state

Answer 5

• in aftermath of Reich fire, Hindenburg persuaded to give Hitler ‘emergency powers’.
• police have increased power to arrest without charge those considered a threat to the state.
  -> suspended civil + political rights.
• gov have power to censor publications.
• in practice -> powers were used to arrest communists and socialists, ban their newspapers + disrupt organisations.

Question 5

What was the decreemformthe protection of the people and the state

Answer 5

• in aftermath of Reich fire, Hindenburg persuaded to give Hitler ‘emergency powers’.
• police have increased power to arrest without charge those considered a threat to the state.
  -> suspended civil + political rights.
• gov have power to censor publications.
• in practice -> powers were used to arrest communists and socialists, ban their newspapers + disrupt organisations.

Question 6

What was the impact of the decree for protection of the people and the state

Answer 6

• propoganda campaign launched where nazis claim signs of a “German Bolshevik Revolution”.
  -> SA launch a campaign of violence across Germany.
  -> 10,000 communists arrested in 2 weeks.
• KPD party membership was seen as an act of treason -> given long sentences.
  -> civil servants, judges and police (staunchly nationalist) very willing to give harsh sanctions to Nazi’s enemies.

Question 7

Explain the features of the March 1933 election

Answer 7

• offices of SPD + KPD were smashed up and their funds were confiscated.
• meanwhile Nazi propoganda flourished: radio broadcasts, election rallies, parades etc.
  -> however didn’t achieve success they aimed for.
• got 44% of the vote (288 seats).
  -> 64% votes supported non-nazi parties.
• however still in a dominant position.

Question 8

What was the enabling Act: law for removing the distress of the people and the Reich

Answer 8

• Enabling act: law which allows him to make laws without approval of the Reich and without reference to the President for a 4 year period.
  -> passed on 24 March 1933.
  -> required 2/3s majority vote of the Reich to be established.
• KPD deputies unable to take seats.
  -> centre party assured Hitler would not use powers without consulting Hindenburg -> won centre support.
• Hitler now able to rule without the Reich -> after 1933 the Reich rarely met.

Question 9

Explain how Hitler needed to consider approaching the army

Answer 9

• knew that the army was the only force that could take him out.
  -> aristocratic officers worried by implications of ‘national revolution’.
• 3rd Feb 1933, he met army senior officers and showed plans for rearmament.
  -> assured he would not undermine their role, despite desire from SA / Rohm for 2nd Revolution.

Question 10

Explain how Hitler needed to consider approaching the industrialists

Answer 10

• 20th Feb 1933 -> met leading industrialist and secured donations of 3 million Reichsmarks.
• anti-capitalist ideology worried big businesses.
• Hitler must stop Nazi attacks on large firms to gain support.
  -> needed strong industry to reach goals of rearmament and reviewing enemy.