Initial Consolidation of Nazi Power

Question 1

What did Von Papen say about Hitler?

Answer 1

“In two months time we will have squeezed Hitler into a corner until he squeaks”

Question 2

Cabinet was dominated by opponents…

Answer 2

• Only 3 of 11 were Nazis
• Hitler, Frick and Göring

Question 3

Key events of consolidation…

Answer 3

between 1933-1934

Question 4

1. Reichstag Fire Decree

Answer 4

• The Reichstag Fire occured 27 February 1933
• The Reichstag fire was an arson attack on the Reichstag building, home of the German Parliament in Berlin
• The fire was exploited by the Nazis and persuaded Hindenburg to approve the decree.
• The decree permitted the regime to arrest and incarcerate political opponents without specific charge, dissolve political organisations and to suppress publications and confiscate private property
• also allowed the regime to overrule state and local laws and thus overthrow state and local governments

Question 5

2. Establishment of concentration camps

Answer 5

• Dachau 22 March 1933
• Established by Heinrich Himmler’s SS
• Originally for political opponents but would later be used for many others such as Poles and Jews

Question 6

3. Enabling Act

Answer 6

• 23 March 1933
• Gave Hitler power to make laws without Reichstag or Hindenburg’s approval (killing Weimar)
• Full name was the “Law to Remedy the Distress of the People and the Reich”
• Hitler and Nazi party prevented all 81 communists and 26 of 120 social democrats from taking their seats, detaining them in so-called protective detention in Nazi- controlled camps
• Furthermore, the SA and SS were stationed in the chamber to intimidate the remaining representatives
• the Supreme court did nothing to challenge the legitimacy of this measure and accepted the majority vote

Question 7

4. Formation of the Gestapo

Answer 7

• 26 April 1933
• created by Hermann Göring
• “secret state police”
• had authority to investigate treason, espionage, sabotage etc. on the Nazi Party and Germany and could send individuals to concentration camps
• Used informants, surveillance and encouragement to ‘denounce’ fellow citizens.
• population of Essen was 650,000 with only 43 Gestapo and under 10% of investigated cases were initiated internally meaning over 90% were by denunciation.

Question 8

5. The People’s Court

Answer 8

• April 1934
• Court system rigged to support Nazis by convicting opponents
• Judges were appointed because of their loyalty to the Nazis

Question 9

6. Night of the Long Knives

Answer 9

• Began 30 June 1934
• also called Operation Hummingbird
• the purge of SA leadership - Ernst rohm and others
• Carried out by the SS and Gestapo, over 150 people were murdered and hundreds more were arrested
• Hitler feared the SA had become too powerful
• Also intended to improve the public image of the Nazis due to criticism of thuggish tactics of the SA
• Also allowed Hitler to remove other political opponents such as Kurt Von Schleicher and Gregor Stasser.

Question 10

7. Law Against the Formation of New Parties

Answer 10

• 14th July 1933
• process moving from democracy to dictatorship

Question 11

8. Concordat

Answer 11

20th July 1933
- agreement with the Catholic Church for its removal from politics if Nazi party guaranteed free worship and maintenance of Catholic schools and property
- This was violated regularly by the Nazis, shutting down some Catholic organisations and confiscating property

Question 12

9. The Law Concerning the Sovereign Head of the German Reich

Answer 12

1 August 1934
- combined the offices of president and chancellor after Hindenburgs death on the 2nd August 1934
- On the 19th August 1934, Hitler win’s by 90% majority vote, becoming fuhrer and having complete dictatorial power over Germany

Question 13

10. Oath of Loyalty

Answer 13

• 20 August 1934
• decreed that members of armed forces and civil servants swear an oath of loyalty to Hitler personally
• secured Hitler’s control as a psychological element

Question 14

Others: SA (Brownshirts) and Gleichschaltung

Answer 14

• SA were nazi paramilitary wing used violence to create fear
• Led by Ernst Rohm
• Played a key role in Hitler’s rise to power
• Gleichschaltung- coordination
• unification of all cultural aspects and even children were exposed through Hitlers Youth and League of German Girls