Nazi Consolidation of Power, 1933-34 Flashcards
Use these cards to help you understand how Hitler created a 'Dictatorship', in just under 18 months!
What Hitler u ltimately turned Germany into by 1934.
- 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’
The stages by which Hitler Consiolidated his position - in brief were…
*ALL in 1933 *
- 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
Reichstag Fire
- 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)
Decree for the Protection of the People and the State.
(Emergency Decree)
- 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.
Elections: 5th March 1933
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.
Enabling Act (1): The process.
- 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
Enabling Act (2): Main powers.
- 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.
Enabling Act (3): Consequences.
- 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)
Co-ordination’ (Gleishaltung).
- 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.
Was Co-ordination completely successful?
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?
Problems with the SA
- 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.
Night of the Long Knives: The basics
- 29th June 1934.
- Carried out by the SS.
- All SA leaders called to a meeting at Hotel Hanselbauer.
Night of the Long Knives: The outcomes
- 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.