Hitler Consolidates His Position Flashcards
How did Hitler sought to extend his control over the Reichstag?
He called an election for March 1933 that would give him the absolute parliamentary majority that he needed.
What did Goering order his men to do?
Disrupt political parties, especially those of the Communist party, which Hitler saw as his most dangerous enemy at this point.
What happened on February 27th 1933?
The Reichstag Fire.
Who was found wandering in the rubble of the fire?
Van der Lubbe, a simple minded Dutchman.
How did the Reichstag fire help Hitler?
Van der Lubbe was a communist and he claimed responsibility for the fire. Hitler could portray the communists as the enemies of the German democracy and the Nazis as the only party which could be trusted to stop them.
However why did the Reichstag fire help Hitler?
He still lacked the majority with only 288 seats compared to his rivals 359 seats.
How was Hitler able to introduce the banning of the communist party and the creation of the Enabling Act?
With his violence and intimidation which Hitler unleashed against his parliamentary opponents.
Who had the SA run into conflict with?
The army.
Why did Hitler want to remove the SA.
He didn’t trust them and thought the army would be more useful in his quest for Lebensraum.
When did the night of the long knives happen?
30th June 1934.
What happened on the night of the long knives?
Hitler ordered the massacre of 200 SA men.
What happened on August 2nd 1934?
Hindenburg died so Hitler immediately assumed the role of president as well as chancellor which meant the army swore an oath of allegiance to him alone.
What did Hitler call himself?
The Fuhrer.
