Hitler Takes Control 1933-34

Question 1

When did the Reichstag fire take place?

Answer 1

The Reichstag (German Parliament building) caught fire on the 27th of February, 1933.

Question 2

Who did the Nazis blame for the Reichstag fire?

Answer 2

Marinus Van Der Lubbe

Question 3

What are the 3 theories surrounding the Reichstag fire?

Answer 3

Theory 1: Van Der Lubbe was the sole perpetrator.
Theory 2: Van Der Lubbe was part of a Communist revolutionary plot.
Theory 3: The Nazis started the fire and framed Van Der Lubbe to gain support.

Question 4

How long after the Reichstag fire did Hitler call for an emergency election to be held?

Answer 4

7 days

Question 5

Why was a second election after the Reichstag fire important to Hitler?

Answer 5

Hitler didn’t have a parliamentary majority (50%<), and an election so soon after the Reichstag fire would mean that many Communist voters would be scared of Communism and vote for the Nazi party.

Question 6

What was the result of the 1933 General Elections?

Answer 6

The Nazi party failed to get a 50% parliamentary majority (44%), so made a deal with the Nationalist party in order to achieve just over 50% of the vote.

Question 7

What act was passed in the aftermath of the Reichstag fire?

Answer 7

The ‘Law for the Protection of People and State’ was passed in the aftermath of the Reichstag fire.

Question 8

What did the ‘Enabling Act’ allow Hitler to do?

Answer 8

The Enabling Act allowed the cabinet and the chancellor (Hitler) to enact law without the approval of the Reichstag. It was initially meant to last 4 years, but this was ignored.

Question 9

How did the Nazis force the Enabling Act through the Reichstag?

Answer 9

The Nazis used intimidation and violence in order to force the Enabling act through the Reichstag. The SS and SA blocked the entrance and didn’t allow the few Communists who hadn’t already been arrested in. Inside the Kroll Opera House, they chanted, “We want the bill, or fire and murder.”

Question 10

What was Gleichschaltung?

Answer 10

Gleichschaltung refers to the process in which Hitler coordinated all aspects of life to fit in with Nazi ideals.

Question 11

When and why was the DAF founded?

Answer 11

The DAF was founded in May 1933 and replaced all other non-Nazi trade unions in Germany. These unions previously had a large amount of power over the Government.

Question 12

In April 1933, what jobs were Jewish people and ‘political opponents’ removed from?

Answer 12

Legal professions and civil service. All key roles were taken over by Nazis.

Question 13

In March 1933, what did Hitler do to Germany’s state parliaments?

Answer 13

In March 1933, Hitler closed down Germany’s state parliaments, before re-establishing them with heavy Nazi majorities.

Question 14

What was set up for the youth of Germany in 1933?

Answer 14

Nazi youth clubs (such as the Hitler Youth and BDM) were set up in order to make German children think like Nazis.

Question 15

What did Hitler remove in July 1933 to ensure absolute political power?

Answer 15

In July 1933, Hitler passed a law that banned any other political parties from being created. Since all other political parties were already dissolved, this made the Nazi party the only legal party.

Question 16

What did the ‘Law for the Reconstruction of the State’ do?

Answer 16

The Law for the Reconstruction of the State abolished all state governments other than Prussia, which was run by Hermann Gœring.

Question 17

What was the Night of the Long Knives and when did it take place?

Answer 17

The NofLK took place on the 30th June, 1933, and involved the killing of many leading members of the SA, such as Ernst Rohm. Hitler also used it to take care of several political opponents.

Question 18

Who did Hitler earn the trust of through the NofLK?

Answer 18

Hitler used the NofLK to earn the trust of the army, one of the 2 things that could still check his power. The army began to pledge their allegiance to Hitler instead of the constitution like before. This meant that any soldier that spoke against Hitler was subject to punishment, and any chance of a coup was crushed.

Question 19

Why was the death of Hindenburg so important in Hitler’s consolidation of power?

Answer 19

President Von Hindenburg was the only person who could remove Hitler from his position of power after the Army pledge of allegiance and removal of the Parliament. The day before Hindenburg died, Hitler passed a decree that merged the jobs of the president and the chancellor. This meant that no one could now remove Hitler from his position politically.

Question 20

What did the Act for the Protection of People and State allow?

Answer 20

It allowed the police permission to search and seize property without a charge or a warrant.

The police were also given 48 hours notice for all political meetings, which was used in order to harass and shut down Communists.