Nazi Consolidation of Power, 1933-34

Question 1

What Hitler u ltimately turned Germany into by 1934.

Answer 1

• A Dictatorship.
• Also known as a ‘Totalitarian’ State.

Features:

• Authortarian
• Political Power excercised by Hitler (centrally)
• Opposition ‘eliminated’
• No ‘democratic’ process to ensure ‘checks and balances’
• Liberty and Free Will suppressed for the ‘good of the state’

Question 2

The stages by which Hitler Consiolidated his position - in brief were…

*ALL in 1933 *

Answer 2

• 27th February - Reichstag Fire
• 28th February - Emergency Decree (NOT the same as the Enabling Act)
• 5th March - Elections
• 23rd March - Enabling Act
• 14th July - Germany becomes a ONE PARTY state

Question 3

Reichstag Fire

Answer 3

• 27th February 1933
• Reichstag (Parliament building) mysteriously burned down
• Blamed on the Communists
• Communists banned from the Reichstag
• Convinced Hindenburg to allow Hitler to impose ‘Emergency Measures’ (See flashcard: Emergency Decree)

Question 4

Decree for the Protection of the People and the State.

(Emergency Decree)

Answer 4

• 28th February
• A consequence of the Reichstag Fire
• Political and Civil liberties ‘suspended’
• Many anti-Nazis arrested
• Allowed Nazis an ‘advantage’ prior to the election.

Question 5

Elections: 5th March 1933

Answer 5

Why have an election?

• Hitler did not yet a majority in the Reichstag.

How did the Fire help him?

• His Party was seen to be acting swiftly against a ‘communist plot’.

Results:

• They won 44% of the vote (but still not a majority).
• (However) The Nazis still required Nationalist support to pass laws.

Question 6

Enabling Act (1): The process.

Answer 6

• 23rd March 1933
• Was a ‘change’ to the Constitution
• Needed 66% of the Vote
• Made deals with the Nationalists and Centre Party
• Won vote by 444 to 94

Question 7

Enabling Act (2): Main powers.

Answer 7

• The Act gave Hitler ‘dictatorial powers’ for 4 years
• Legislation (proposed laws) did NOT have to have to have the support of the Reichstag.
• Also did not have to have the support of the President.

Question 8

Enabling Act (3): Consequences.

Answer 8

• Hitler used it to BAN all other political Parties (14 July) to create a ONE PARTY STATE
• When President Hindenburg dies (August 1934) he used his powers to merge the positions of Chancellor and President to become Fuhrer.
• Allowed him to carry out the ‘co-ordination’ policy (see separate flashcard)

Question 9

Co-ordination’ (Gleishaltung).

Answer 9

• Policies to ‘Nazify’ German Society (To increase Nazi influence over society)
• Diss olved regional Parliaments (Local & National Governments now in the hands of the Nazis)
• Dissolved ALL other Parties!
• Dissolved Trade Unions (Replaced with DAF). The German Labour Front.

Question 10

Was Co-ordination completely successful?

Answer 10

It certainly gave the Nazis huge influence

BUT some elements within the:

• The Church
• Army
• Big Business &
• some parts of the Civil Service, remained semi-independent.

NOTE: Can you really create a ‘totalitarian’ state?

Question 11

Problems with the SA

Answer 11

• Led by Ernst Rohm (had ‘socialist’ views).
• SA a powerful force - had sufficient support / ability to carry out a coup against Hitler. (c 2 million)
• Rohm expecting to be rewarded with Command of the Army.
• Army chiefs viewed SA as a bunch of ‘thugs / rabble’.
• Hitler needed support of the Army - so decided to act against the SA.

Question 12

Night of the Long Knives: The basics

Answer 12

• 29th June 1934.
• Carried out by the SS.
• All SA leaders called to a meeting at Hotel Hanselbauer.

Question 13

Night of the Long Knives: The outcomes

Answer 13

• SA leadership ‘purged’ 77 arrested and executed - real figure likely to be higher.
• SA ‘disbanded’
• Army Chiefs supported Hitler becoming Fuhrer (4th August) on Hindenburg’s death.
• Army made a personal oath of loyalty to Hitler.