Establishment of the Nazi dictatorship Jan-March 1933 Flashcards
Stahlhelm:
A paramilitary organisation of ex-servicemen dedicated to the restoration of the monarchy and the revival of Germany as a military power, which took its name from the steel helmets issued to German soldiers in WWI. 500,000 members by 1930- largest paramilitary organisation.
When was Hitler appointed Chancellor and who by?
30 January 1933 by President Hindenburg.
What about Hitler’s first cabinet meeting assured Papen that no fundamental change would occur due to the involvement of Nazis?
Nazi Party only held 3 posts out of 12 ministers.
What was Papen’s role at the time of Hitlers appointment as Chancellor?
Vice-Chancellor and also the Minister-President of Prussia. He also won the right to be present every time Hitler met with President Hindenburg.
In what way did Papen underestimate Hitler?
Believed H would not be able to dominate his own cabinet much less become the dictator he wished to be.
What did Hitler do on the evening of this appointment as chancellor?
Stood on the balcony to review a torchlight procession by around 100,000 Nazi members winding through the streets of Berlin. Organised by Goebbels, it was to show H’s appointment would not be a normal change of government.
How many members did the SA grow to in 1934?
3 million.
What changed to the SA as a result of the Nazis being in power?
Gained legal authority.
What 2 groups merged in 1933 to become the ‘auxiliary police’?
SA and Stahlhelm. The ordinary police could not interfere with them.
Which 2 positions in the cabinet meant nazis controlled the police?
Frick as the Minister of the Interior for the whole Reich and Goering as Minister of the Interior in Prussia.
What was the Nazi ‘legal revolution’?
SA unleashed a sustained assault on trade union and KPD offices, as well as homes of left-wing politicians. Gangs of stormtroopers broke up SPD and KPD meetings.
5 Feb a young Nazi shot the SPD mayor of a small town dead and later in the month a communist was killed in clashes with the SA.
What happened to the Nazis in the ‘legal revolution’?
Ignored by police and when the SPD newspaper condemned the killings, the paper was banned. Centre party became a target after criticising the Nazi regime. Centre party newspapers were banned and Stormtroopers attacked their meetings.
What did they do with communist, socialist and trade unionists?
Imprisoned in makeshift camps set up in old factories or army barracks. 1st permanent concentration camp set up in Dachau with accommodation for over 5000 people.
By July 1933 how may political prisoners were arrested by SA in how many camps?
26,789 and imprisoned in some 70 camps.
Why did Hitler persuade Hindenburg to dissolve the Reichstag and call a new election in March?
He believed that the Nazis could win an outright majority in this election, thereby strengthening his position. The occasion for an intensification of Nazi terror against opposition.
Which groups had virually been driven undergound by the 5th of March?
SPD and KPD by the atmosphere of terror and intimidation created by the Nazis.
When was the Reichstag fire?
27th Feb 1933
Who was arrested and charged with starting the Reichstag fire?
Young dutch communist, Marinus van der Lubbe
What is the suspicion over who started the Reichstag fire?
Suspected that the Nazis deliberately set up van der Lubbe to start the fire in order to justify introducing repressive measures.
What was the decree for the Protection of the People and the State?
A decree giving Hitler emergency powers, it suspended important civil and political rights that guaranteed under the Weimar Constitution.
What happened meaning Hitler was able to persuade Hindenberg to sign the decree for the Protection of the People and the State?
The reichstag fire.
What increased powers did the police get after the Reichstag fire?
Powers to arrest and detain without charge those deemed to be a threat to security. Also gained powers to enter and search private premises, while the government could censor publications.
What did the police and government use their new powers for?
Arrest communists and socialists, to ban their newspapers, amd disrupt their organisations. The government also had power to take over state governments if they refused to act against the Nazis’ political opponents.
What was the decree for the Protection of the People and the State primarily designed for?
To legalise a full-scale assualt on the communists.
What revolution did the Nazis campaign Germany was on the brink of which launched the SA into a violence spree?
What did the SA do?
German Bolshevik Revolution.
Police arrested 10,000 communists in 2 weeks including most of their leaders.
Why was it impossible for the left to organise election meetings in the March 1933 election?
SA controlled the streets, many of the Nazis opponents had been locked up, SPD and KPD offices were smashed up and their funds were confiscated. Their posters were removed as soon as they were put up.
What were the results of the March 1933 election ?
Nazi vote had increased but not as much as H hope. SPD and communist suppot help up remarkably well, as did support for the centre.
NSDAP- 43.9%, 64% of voters supported non-nazi parties.
However they now had a reichstag majority- 288 seats.
Where and when was the meeting of the new Reichstag with Nazi majority?
Kroll Opera House, 23rd of March 1933.
What was Hitler’s main aim for the first Reichstag meeting with Nazi majority?
Secure the necessary 2/3rds majority for his enabling act.
Along with the Enabling Act, what else was passed on the 24th of March?
H was given power to make treaties with foreign states without the Reichstag’s approval.
How did Hitler win the vote to pass the enabing act?
Communist deputies were unable to make their seats and the DNVP were willing to collab with the Nazis, H offered the Centre party reassurance he wouldn’t use his powers without consulting Hindenburg.
What was the final peice of framework which legitimised the Nazi dictatorship?
The Enabling Act as H could now act without Hindenburg’s approval.
Gleichschaltung:
‘Forcing into line’ and was the process through which the Nazis attempted to control all aspect of German society.
SS:
Schutztaffe: Hitler’s personal bodyguard created in 1926.
