FEB 1933 - AUG 1934 Flashcards
- Reichstag Fire. - March Elections. - Enabling Act. - Gleichschaltung. - Night of Long Knives. - Death of Hindenburg
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.
What were the key impacts of the Reichstag fire?
- limit opposition - apparent threat was used to justify the arrest of large numbers of Nazi opponents, limiting opposition in the upcoming elections
- Reichstag Fire Decree - ending of ‘press freedom’, Protective Custody and Communist Party outlawed
- atmosphere of fear and contempt against Communists
How many seats did the Nazis secure in the March 33 elections?
44%
Why were the Nazis unable to secure a majority? What does Hitler do?
Need 2/3 to secure a majority.
Limited Hitler’s freedom of action.
Formed a coalition with ZP
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.
‘May suppression’
What law declared the Nazis as the only legal political party? When was it passed?
‘The Law against the Establishment of Parties’.
14th July 1933
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 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’.
Hindenburg could stop all his plans by taking power away over German military - couldn’t afford to antagonise elite
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.
What did Hitler’s decision to back the army result in?
The Night of the Long Knives.
When was the Night of the Long Knives?
30th June 1934.
What did the Night of the Long Knives end?
The SA as a military and political force.
What happened to Röhm and other leading members of the SA on the Night of the Long Knives?
Shot by members of the SS, a wing of the SA.
How many were killed on the Night of the Long Knives? Including whom?
- Including former chancellor, Schleicher, and leader of the radical socialist wing of the Nazi Party, Strasser.
Impacts of the Night of the Long Knives (4)
- elite impressed with efficiency of rival elimination
- gained acceptance for murdering his opponents
- army oath (after Hindenburg’s death)
- July 1st 1934 - Reichstag - outlines 4 Dangerous Groups - ‘In this hour I was responsible for the fate of the German people’
What happened initially when Hindenburg died?
No opposition nor challenge to Hitler. Therefore, there was no political crisis.
When did Hindenburg die?
2nd August 1934.
What were the five main reasons that Hitler was able to establish his dictatorship?
- Weakness of opposition.
- Legality.
- Terror.
- Propaganda.
- Deception.
When was the Enabling Act passed?
23rd March 1933
What was the Enabling Act?
The act allowed Hitler to enact laws, including ones that violated the Weimar Constitution
Laws came into effect day after publication - didn’t need to consult Reichstag, instead went to cabinet of elected ministers
What are the 5 key dates of Hitler’s consolidation of power?
Jan 30th 1933 - becomes chancellor
Jan 31st 1933 - speech to German people blaming democracy for poor economy
Feb 27th - Reichstag Fire
March - Malicious Practices Law and opening of First Reichstag in Imperial Germany
How many votes did the KPD get in the 1933 elections?
4.8mil votes - but were banned from Reichstag
What were the impacts of the Enabling Act?
- constitutional basis of Hitler’s dictatorship - revolution with the law on his side
- ‘May suppression’
- May - attack of the TU on Labour Day to become DAF
How many in the Reichstag voted in favour for the Enabling Act?
444 (SPD opposed, KPD not allowed in)
ESTABLISHING NAZI DOMINANCE: when were Reich governors replaced? With who?
March - replaced by Head of State Governors (usually gauleiters)
ESTABLISHING NAZI DOMINANCE: When were regional parliaments dissolved? Why was this done?
31st March.
To reform them with Nazi majorities.
Part of ‘One Party State’.
ESTABLISHING NAZI DOMINANCE: HIMMLER
Head of SS and political oppression
‘Protective Custody’ and ‘re-education’ camps e,g Hartlinger who tried to expose inhumane treatment had his evidence intercepted and sent to Dachau
Rivalry with Goering
