FEB 1933 - AUG 1934 Flashcards
- Reichstag Fire. - March Elections. - Enabling Act. - Gleichschaltung. - Night of Long Knives. - Death of Hindenburg
When was the Reichstag Fire?
27th February 1933.
Who was responsible for the Reichstag Fire?
Dutch communist, van der Lubbe.
How was Hitler able to use the Reichstag Fire to the Nazis advantage?
Portrayed the communists as anti-democratic through their setting fire to the building that represented democracy.
Claimed the fire was part of a communist plot to take over.
What was signed the day after the Reichstag Fire?
A ‘Decree for the Protection of People and the State’, signed by the President using Article 48.
How did the Reichstag fire limit opposition to the Nazis?
The apparent threat was used to justify the arrest of large numbers of Nazi opponents, limiting opposition in the upcoming elections.
How many seats did the Nazis secure in the March 33 elections?
288.
How many seats did the Nationalists secure in the March 33 elections?
52.
Why did the Nazis need the Nationalists 52 seats also? What was the downside of this for the Nazis?
To secure a majority.
Limited Hitler’s freedom of action.
What does the term ‘Gleichschaltung’ refer to?
Co-ordination. Nazification of German society.
How was Gleichschaltung both a ‘revolution from below’ and a ‘revolution from above’?
At a local level - ‘revolution from below’.
Freedom given to the SA at a national level - ‘revolution from above’.
What was the main idea of Gleichschaltung?
Merge German society with Nazi institutions and associations.
What would Gleichschaltung allow the Nazis to do?
Control all aspects of social, cultural and educational activity.
What was the first concern of the Nazis in their process of Gleichschaltung?
Federal states, as it was a direct challenge to the Nazis idea of a centralised state.
How were trade unions demolished? Why were they seen as a threat to the Nazi Party? (Gleichschaltung)
Told Labour Day was a national holiday, but the next day union premises were occupied, funds seized and leaders sent to CC.
Links to communism and socialism.
What were trade unions replaced with? (Gleichschaltung)
German Labour Front (DAF)
When were the SPD abolished?
22nd June 1933.
How did most of the remaining political parties leave the Reichstag?
Agreed to dissolve themselves to avoid being abolished. Even the nationalists who were in a coalition with the Nazis.
What law was passed in July 1933, that declared the Nazis as the only legal political party?
‘The Law against the Establishment of Parties’.
Which areas still remained prevalent in German society, which meant Gleichschaltung was not complete?
- The Church still retained its influence.
- The army and big businesses were still independent.
Why was Gleichschaltung not complete by the end of 1933?
- Hitler did not want to antagonise the army.
- Needed big business support for rearmament.
- Needed support of civil service.
- Maintain support from middle classes.
Why was there conflict between Hitler and the SA?
The SA wanted to take the process of co-ordination a step further.
What did Ernest Röhm want to merge?
Wanted to merge the SA with the army.
What was Hitler’s concern about Röhm’s suggestion to merge the SA and the army?
That the army would be alienated by Röhm’s plans and did not support his call for a ‘second revolution’.
Why did Hitler back the army?
As they were the one institution who could remove him, and much of its leadership were suspicious of Hitler.
