Hitler to Power Flashcards
Germany
How did the Great Depression aid the Nazi Party growth?
By the time Hitler became Chancellor in 1933, one in three Germans were unemployed.
As millions were unemployed, hungry and desperate, they turned to extreme political parties offering simple solutions
How did Hitler appeal to people?
He said what people wanted to hear and his promises were flexible.
Concentrated on issues the Germans were most unhappy about
How did the Nazi Party’s organisation assist their growth?
- Able to raise money to fund their election campaigns
- Members went door-to-door and to public meetings to spread their message
- The SA looked capable of Bringing law and order to Germany
How did middle-class fear of communism help the Nazi Party?
- People feared they would take over the country
- Communists had a lot of working class support
- Business owners and farmers feared them because the Soviet Union had taken over big industries and farm land
- Nazis seemed like the only people who could stop them
When and what was the Reichstag Fire?
How did it help Hitler?
On the 27th February 1933, the Reichstag building in Berlin caught fire. A Dutch Communist was found nearby and arrested for being a suspected culprit.
Hitler was given emergency powers and gave the police power to arrest and hold without trial.
4,000 Communists and anyone who opposed the Nazis were arrested.
What was the significance of the ‘New 1933 Elections’?
More than 50 Nazi opponents were killed with many more injured by police or the SA
The Nazis used radio to broadcast their anti-communist message, helping them get their best ever result of 44% of the vote.
What was the ‘Enabling Act’?
The Enabling Act would give Hitler the power to pass laws without going through the Reichstag or the President, placing all power in his hands.
On 24th March 1933, the remaining Reichstag members voted its approval for four years
Why were the Trade Unions taken over?
On the 2nd May 1933, offices were taken over and union leaders arrested.
All trade unions became one organisation, the New German Labour Front (DAF)
A new law was introduced on the 14th July 1933 that stopped what?
- It stopped people from forming new political parties.
- The SDP and Communist party had already been banned
- Other parties had broken up
- The Nazis were now the only party in Germany
What happened during the ‘Night of the Long Knives’?
29th-30th June 1934, the increasing power of the SA worried Hitler.
- SA leaders were dragged from their beds and shot
- Rohm (leader of the SA) was arrested but refused to commit suicide, he was shot in prison
- It was all a warning to Germany
- Hitler made the SA the SS for only hardcore Nazi members loyal to Hitler
How did the death of Hindenburg help Hitler?
On the 2nd of August 1934, Hindenburg died and Hitler made himself President as well as Chancellor. He was now head of government and took the title Fuhrer.
What was the ‘Oath of Loyalty’?
The army took an oath of personal loyalty to Hitler. All German soldiers swore to obey Hitler and risk their life for him at anytime.
