How did the business of government operate within the Nazi dictatorship in the years 1933-45 Flashcards
In 1933, Hitler was chancellor of Germany but …
Still had to operate within the Weimar system
How did Hitler manage to gain total power?
A combination of persuasion, intimidation and moving with rapid intent
By 1933 Hitler was in a strong position - Nazi party were the largest single party in the Reichstag yet
They only had about one-third of all Reichstag seats - not a majority
What occurred on the 27th of February?
The burning of the Reichstag
How did the burning of the Reichstag help Hitler rise to power through propaganda
. Nazi’s got all the credit for capturing the arsonist - increased support
. Nazi were able to stir up anti-communist propaganda - weakened rival party
. Nazi gained financial and political support due to German industrialists contribution as fear of communism rose
How did the burning of the Reichstag help Hitler gain total power?
. Hitler persuaded Hindenburg to declare a state of emergency which gave him total control of the police and power to govern by decree
. Suspended rights - now legally arrest political opponents and ban opposition newspapers
How did the burning of the Reichstag help Hitler achieve control legally?
. Persuaded Hindenburg to call an election for 5 March
. Legal use of emergency powers allowed him to arrest opponents alongside violent intimidation - Nazis 18 million votes won them 288 seats in the Reichstag
. Used his powers to ban 81 communists - suppressing opponents
What occurred on the 24 March?
The passing of the Enabling Act - gave Hitler the right to pass laws without the Reichstag
How did Hitler use the Enabling Act to consolidate his power?
. Got rid of parties in the Reichstag, one by one - until in 1933 a law banned all remaining parties
. Germany was made a one party state
How did Hindenburg’s death contribute to Hitler’s power?
Allowed Hitler to legally combine the roles of president and chancellor into that of Fuhrer
Hitler rose to power through ‘legal’ means as well as the…
Violent, illegal and ruthless elimination of opponents
Despite Ernst Rohm and the SA helping Hitler to power the …
.SA were seen as thugs and were bad for the Nazi image
. Loyal to Rohm who was increasingly critical of Hitler’s conciliation of old government
Why did Hitler disperse of the SA?
. Had the SS and the Gestapo do his bidding
. Feared Rohm might try to seize power
What occurred on the Night of the Long Knives 1934?
. Rohm and other senior SA offices were arrested and shot
. Several hundred people were murdered by the SS
How did the Knight of the Long Knives 1934 aid Hitler?
. Removed potential threats to his power
. German public were relieved that Hitler had tamed the SA due to their brutal tactics which were widely hated - gain support of public
