Hitler - From Chancellor to Dictator

Question 1

How did the Reichstag Fire help Hitler to strengthen his position in Germany?

Answer 1

• The Fire shocked many into supoorting the Nazis
• Hitler blamed the Communists and arrested 4000 Communist leaders. The Communist Party, a key political opponent to Hitler, was banned.
• This helped Hitler to pass the Enabling Law through Parliament
• He demanded special emergency powers which increased his control

Question 2

Why was the Enabling Act so important in increasing Hitler’s power?

Answer 2

This Law allowed him to make laws without consulting the Reichstag. He could now pass any law he wished without anybody beling able to stop him. This in effect made him a Dictator!

Question 3

Which organisations did Hitler ban to prevent other forms of possible opposition?

Answer 3

Hitler banned other political parties and trade unions.

Question 4

Why was banning trade unions such an effective strategy?

Answer 4

This meant that the workers could not go on strike - another way of protesting against the Nazis was now forbidden.

Question 5

What was the Night of the Long Knives in June 1934?

Answer 5

This was when Hitler decided to remove any potential opposition from within his own Party. This included his long-time colleague, Ernst Rohm.

Question 6

Why was the Night of the Long Knives so important for Hitler?

Answer 6

Hitler viewed the leader of the SA, Ernst Rohm, as a potential threat - would the 2.5 million SA troops be more loyal to Rohm than Hitler? The event served as a warning to any other possible rivals within the Party.

Question 7

How did the death of Hindenburg allow Hitler to increase his power?

Answer 7

As President, Hindenburg was the last person with the constitutional power to sack Hitler. Hitler now merged the roles of Chancellor and President into one position which he occupied himself - Fuhrer!

Question 8

How did Hitler ensure the loyalty of he army in August 1934?

Answer 8

Hitler made all members of the army swear an oath of loyalty to him. This made his power complete.

Question 9

Name the main methods by which Hitler established himself as a Dictator in Germany between 1933-34.

Answer 9

• His reaction to the Reichstag Fire
• The Enabling Act
• Banning trade unions and political parties.
• The Night of the Long Knives
• Creating the position of Fuhrer after Hindenburg
• The army’s oath of loyalty