Hitler Takes Control - 1933 Flashcards
How did Hitler become chancellor?
Number of Nazi seats in Reichstag rose from 12 in 1928 to 230 in July 1932
By January 1933, reichstag hopelessly divided & unstable government, so Hindenburg & Von Papen offered Hitler post of chancellor in coalition government
They hoped to use Nazi deputies to gain majority in reichstag, but believed they could control hitler
How did the Reichstag Fire improve hitler’s chances of dictatorships?
On 27 February 1933, few days before election, Reichstag building set on fire.
Dutch communist, Marinus van der Lubbe, caught in burning parliament.
Hitler used fire as excuse to persuade President Hindenburg there was communist plot to overthrow government.
President, who had power to issue decree in an emergency, approved the Law for the Protection of People and State.
The Law for the Protection of People and State was an important step in Hitler becoming a dictator. It removed many people’s civil rights.
Anyone suspected of plotting against the government could be arrested and imprisoned without trial.
How did Hitler use the Law For The Protection of People and State to squash his rivals?
Put many Communist Party (KPD) leaders in prison
Confiscated their literature
Closing their offices
Using SA (Sturmabteilung) to break-up their meetings
What happened in the Reichstag election?
On 5 March 1933, 44 per cent of the German people voted for the Nazis, who won 288 seats in the Reichstag
This was still not the two-thirds majority Hitler needed to pass laws, but this did not stop him:
In state of Prussia, lead by Herman Goering (Minister of Interior) enrolled SA into police to disrupt other parties’ campaigns & intimidate voters
How did Hitler secure the Enabling Act?
Using decree for the Protection of People and State to ban Communist Party (KPD)
Arresting some non-Nazi deputies
Persuading Nationalist Party to support him
Obtaining Centre Party’s cooperation & obedience by promising to protect rights of Catholics & cancelling the Law for the Protection of People and State
Arranging for SA to intimidate other parties
How did the Enabling Act increase Hitler’s power?
On 23rd of March 1933, Enabling Act passed by Reichstag 441 votes to 94
This Act gave Hitler right to make laws without Reichstag’s approval for next 4 years.
Arguably most critical event during this period - gave Hitler absolute power to make laws, which enabled him to destroy all opposition to his rule.
This Act removed the Reichstag as a source of opposition - Reichstag rarely met for remainder of Hitler’s time in power
What was Gleichschaltung?
Synchronisation - co-ordination of all aspects of life to fit in with Nazi ideals
How did Hitler achieve a one-party state (Gleichschaltung)?
He merged Nazi and Nationalist Parties
Centre Party (Catholic Party) disbanded voluntarily in return for Hitler agreeing not to interfere in Catholic schools and youth movements
Socialists and communists, who had not already fled, put in prison
In MARCH, local parliaments were closed and then re-established with Nazi majorities
In APRIL,Nazis took over key posts in local governments. Jews and other political enemies removed from civil service
In JULY 1933, other political parties were banned - Law Against the Formation of New Parties meant only Nazi Party allowed to exist. Therefore, when Reichstag and local governments met, which was infrequently, all deputies were Nazis.
In JANUARY 1934, Law for the Reconstruction of the State abolished Germany’s state governments, apart from Prussia
Creation of People’s Courts - Hitler set up Nazi People’s Courts where judges had to swear oath of loyalty to Nazis.
