Nazi Germany Flashcards
Why was Hitler made Chancellor in January 1933 by Hindenburg
Hindenburg thought he could tame the Nazi party if Hitler was Chancellor under a coalition government
Hitler however called for another election and had no intention of a coalition
He was absolute ruler of Germany using article 48 to create terror
When was Hitler made chancellor by von Hindenburg
In power
January 1933
Under a coalition
After Hitler came to power Jan 1933 how many members in the cabinet were Nazi sympathisers
Why did he call for an election
2
Called for election shortly after he became chancellor to increase majority in Reichstag
What happened at the Reichstag fire event February 1933
Before the election
Parliament building on fire, Dutch Communist Van der Lubbe executed in days for plotting against the government.
What was implemented the day after the Reichstag fire
Before Enabling Act was passed
Article 48 allows emergency decree ( Law for the Protection of the People and the State) was passed in days, police state
4000 communist leaders imprisoned, stopping them campaigning during election so Hitler won election
Death penalty decreed, this was the start of death/concentration camps with people used as unpaid workforce and for experimentation
Later as a result opposition was illegal
What was article 48 (emergency powers)
In case public safety is seriously threatened or disturbed, the Reich President may take the measures necessary to reestablish law and order, if necessary by force.
After the reichstag fire he claimed he had the right to run the country
Describe Nazis and communists following the reichstag fire and what this allowed Hitler to do
Nazis claimed country was threatened by communists, 4000 communist leaders arrested, stopping them campaigning during election so Nazis gained seats.
(Communist party was biggest opponent)
Communist fear helped persuade Hindenburg to pass Enabling Act
What events followed Reichstag fire where people were oppressed
Hitler won election
Death penalty decreed, this was the start of death/concentration camps with people used as unpaid workforce and for experimentation
Later as a result political opposition was illegal
Explain Enabling Act March 1933
Hitler was chancellor already, Enabling Act allowed him to make his own laws without Reichstag involvement
How long did emergency decree stay in place
12 years
Hitlers actions in 1933 after the enabling act was passed
Trade unions, and strikes illegal and local government destroyed
Other political parties and opposition illegal, members executed
Concordant with catholic church
Set up RAD and Hitler Youth (all other youth groups ended)
Police state (article 48)12 years of Nazi rule, SA brutal police force
Only Nazi campaign,intimidated voters: watched ballots
Upon Hindenburg’s death August 1934, what did Hitler do
the same day
Merged chancellor and president to become Führer
He was also head of the army
The Enabling Act did not allow this
Who were the SA by 1934
What did they (Ernst Röhm) want
Hitler relied on their force and power to put his policies into action
More than 2 million members by 1934
Ernst Röhm wanted to take control of the army, a potential rival to Hitler
Who was Ernst Röhm
The leader of the SA, he helped create it as a private army
He served in the war and became a Freikorp
He stood alongside Hitler in the Munich Putsch was appointed to keep party going while Hitler served his sentence. A Violent thug, flamboyant homosexual who talked about Hitler behind his back, didn’t like big business
Who were the German army by 1934
100,000 soldiers (treaty of versailles)
Army leadership supported by big business
Opposed to being taken over by Röhm and the SA
Many disliked Hitler, upper class looked down on him
THE ONLY ORGANISATION THAT COULD REMOVE HITLER
Why did the night of the long knives occur and what happened
By 1934 SA were getting out of hand and interfering with the running of the country, had around 2 million members
Hitler believed SA and Röhm were plotting against him, Röhm hoped to take control of the army who had the power to overthrow lhim. Did not follow Aryan qualities, being gay
On the night of the long knives 1934 Röhm and 200 other SA leaders were executed by members of the SS
What were the after effects of the night of the long knives
Hitler gained oath of loyalty from German Army who now had the SA under their control
As a result, Hitler and the SS were feared by the public
Heinrich Himmler gained lots of power in Nazi Germany
Why is it significant that the Nazi symbol is seen everywhere in public with announcements where work was stopped
To encorce the message and remind people who was in charge
To enforce the salute, shows who would partake and agree with Nazis
Easy to see who disagrees and wouldn’t stop and listen, with fear and paranoia civilians would report those in protest
Why did nazis want to take control of Northeim
One third of Northeimers voted for social democrats, not the Nazi party. Although they got a majority, this was not good enough
In Northeim, how did the Nazis take control of the council
This is a microcosm of all over Germany
Before first council meeting, one social democrat was arrested
Meeting moved to ballroom with heavy Nazi decorations
Packed with SA and SS at centre and social democrats at the side
The socialist leader was stopped from speaking
Socialist councillors left the room in protest and were spat on
1933 all non Nazi parties are banned, Nazis control Northeim council
