Hitler's Consolidation of Power 1933-34 Flashcards
On the evening of 30th January 1933 what had happened?
Torchlight parades were held by Nazis to celebrate and intimidate rivals
What were the weaknesses of Hitler becoming chancellor, however?
He didn’t have complete power
Nazis were losing support and money
They were in coalition with the Nationalists and only had 3 out of 12 seats
Nevertheless, what were the advantages of Hitler becoming chancellor?
Hindenburg became increasingly senile.
Immediately called new elections
What is the significance of Hitler and Hindenburg’s relationship?
Hitler used the media to portray himself as a friend of Hindenburg
What does Gleichschaltung mean?
Coordination
Why did Hitler adopt Gleichschaltung, what did it eliminate?
It eliminated individualism by forcing everybody to adhere to a specific doctrine
Give evidence of Gleichschaltung
The April 1933 law which purged the civil service of Jews
What were Individual state governments replaced with? What was now in action?
Replaced by “Reich commissioners” who were either Nazis or Nazi sympathisers. The Fuhrerprinzip was now in action
Support and Opposition:
When was the Appeal of German people?
31st January 1933
Support and Opposition: Famous quote (Appeal of German people speech)
“We have no desire to fight for ourselves; only for Germany”
Support and Opposition:
Why did people SUPPORT him because of the Appeal of German speech?
- He promised a stronger economy and nation
- Put emphasis on traditional ideas and how great the 2nd reich was - being Kaiser lead
- Promised futures for civil servants. “within 4 years, the German farmer will be saved from pauperism”
Support and Opposition:
Why did people OPPOSE him because of the Appeal of German speech (left wing)?
Left wing were apprehensive - the day after taking over Germany he was already accusing the Left wing for making the country a “heap of ruins”
Support and Opposition:
When was the Reichstag Fire?
27th February 1933
Support and Opposition:
Why did the Reichstag Fire lead to SUPPORT?
- It showed him take control of an emergency - painted the idea that he was a strong leader
- It lead to the formation of the Enabling Act on 23rd March - right winged/nostalgic people wanted this
Support and Opposition:
Why did the Reichstag Fire lead to OPPOSITION?
Communists were blamed immediately
When was the Reichstag election and what were the results?
5th March 1933
Nazi votes increased from 33% to 44%
Support and Opposition:
When was the Enabling Act passed?
March 23rd 1933
Support and Opposition:
Why did Hitler adopt the Enabling Act, what did he have no intention of acting within?
He had no intention of acting within a participatory democracy
Support and Opposition:
What did the Enabling Act mean?
It meant the abolition of other political parties, with all political powers put in his hands
Support and Opposition:
What was the final vote for the Enabling Act?
444 for’ vs 94 who were ‘against’
Those who voted against were all socialists
Support and Opposition:
What did the Enabling Act allow the cabinet to do?
Introduce legislation without it going through the Reichstag or have presidential power
Support and Opposition:
Why did the Enabling Act lead to support? However why was this not an “groundbreaking” change?
Reflected authoritarian rule and traditional German values
However, he wasn’t the first to do this, Bruning used Article 48
Support and Opposition:
Why did the Enabling Act lead to opposition?
Social Democrats were the only ones to vote against it
Support and Opposition:
When was the Day of Potsdam?
21st March 1933
Support and Opposition:
Why did the Day of Potsdam lead to support?
Hitler showed reverence to Hindenburg, people who liked Hindenburg now liked Hitler - e.g. of propaganda
Support and Opposition:
Why did the Day of Potsdam lead to opposition?
Some people could see what his intentions were, and many people who loved Hindenburg knew he wasn’t fond of Hitler - people saw it as a pretence
Support and Opposition:
When was the Night of Long Knives?
30th June 1934
Support and Opposition:
Who was the head of SA?
SA = Ernst Rohm SS = Himmler
Support and Opposition:
Why did Hitler feel threatened and who convinced him?
The SA were going beyond his orders and he felt like he was losing his control. He was convinced by Himmler, Goering and Goebbels
Support and Opposition:
What happened on the NoLK?
He got the SS to arrest SA leaders and political opponents and charged them with treason and executed them. (Rohm was shot)
Support and Opposition:
How many died on the NoLK?
77
Support and Opposition:
Why did the Night of Long Knives lead to support?
People who disliked SA approved
Right winged people believed Hitler was fearless and a strong leader for purging his own party.
Support and Opposition:
Why did the Night of Long Knives lead to opposition?
This was a red flag to many. If he did this to his own party, what would he be willing to do to citizens of Germany?
Support and Opposition:
When did Hindenburg die?
2nd August 1934, aged 87
Support and Opposition:
Within an hour of Hindenburg’s death, what did Hitler do?
He announced the roles of President and Chancellor would be merged and he would take the title Fuhrer
Support and Opposition:
What did officers and men take an oath of?
They took an oath of allegiance to Hitler personally
Support and Opposition:
On the 19th August, what were Germans asked to take part in?
A plebiscite; to indicate their approval of Hitler being called ‘Fuhrer’
Support and Opposition:
What were the results of the plebiscite?
90% yes, 10% yes
Support and Opposition:
Why did the death of Hindenburg lead to support?
He spoke about the formation of the Fuhrer an hour after Hindenburg’s death, he discussed the formation of the Fuhrer, this reminded nostalgic Germans of the Kaiser
Support and Opposition:
Why did the death of Hindenburg lead to opposition?
Many disliked the idea of a single party state
Anybody who had links to democracy opposed this
