Nazi Consolidation of Power, 1933-34 Flashcards

Use these cards to help you understand how Hitler created a 'Dictatorship', in just under 18 months!

1
Q

What Hitler u ltimately turned Germany into by 1934.

A
  • 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’
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2
Q

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

*ALL in 1933 *

A
  • 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
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3
Q

Reichstag Fire

A
  • 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)
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4
Q

Decree for the Protection of the People and the State.

(Emergency Decree)

A
  • 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.
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5
Q

Elections: 5th March 1933

A

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.
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6
Q

Enabling Act (1): The process.

A
  • 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
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7
Q

Enabling Act (2): Main powers.

A
  • 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.
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8
Q

Enabling Act (3): Consequences.

A
  • 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)
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9
Q

Co-ordination’ (Gleishaltung).

A
  • 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.
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10
Q

Was Co-ordination completely successful?

A

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?

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11
Q

Problems with the SA

A
  • 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.
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12
Q

Night of the Long Knives: The basics

A
  • 29th June 1934.
  • Carried out by the SS.
  • All SA leaders called to a meeting at Hotel Hanselbauer.
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13
Q

Night of the Long Knives: The outcomes

A
  • 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.
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