Nazi policies Flashcards
What was the enabling act?
The enabling act (24th March 1933) allowed Hitler to pass decrees without the presidents involvement - making him a legal dictator
What happened on the 7th April 1933?
Hitler ‘purged’ civil services, courts and education of ‘alien elements’; Jews, Nazi opposition and other ‘undesirables’
What else did Hitler ban in 1933?
Trade unions (May) , new parties (July)
When was the ‘night of the long knives’?
30th June 1934
Who was Hitler particularly suspicious of in the SA?
Ernst Rohm; he led the SA and his 4 million me seemed to obey him, not Hitler. He was also openly gay- Hitler opposed this and this may have fuelled his suspicion
Why did Hitler want to lessen the SA?
The German army were suspicious of the SA and Hitler wanted the army more than the SA
Why did the German army dislike the SA?
The SA were badly disciplined and Ernst Rohm, their leader, talked of making them the “second German army”
What happened on the ‘Night of the Long Knives’?
Squads of SS men broke into the homes of Rohm and other SA leaders; accused Rohm of trying to overthrow and kill Hitler.
What happened over the weekend of the ‘Night of the Long Knives’?
Rohm and 400 others were executed- including Chancellor Von Schleicher; a fierce critic of Hitler, and others with no connection to Rohm
When did Hindenburg die?
August 1934
What did Hitler declare after Hindenburg’s death?
He declared himself “supreme leader”(Fuhrer) of Germany
What did the Nazis aim to create in Germany?
A totalitarian state; with no opposition, no rival parties, no political debate
Who led the SS?
Heinrich Himmler
What were two key branches of the SS?
Waffen SS; who assisted the German army
Death ‘s Head: Concentration camp units
What were the death’s head units responsible for?
Concentration camps and the slaughter of Jews and other ‘undesirables’
Who were the Gestapo?
The secret state police; a force of terror to the German people.
What powers did the Gestapo have?
They could send anyone under suspicion to a concentration camp with no trial or explanation
How did the Gestapo get their knowledge?
Informants; who could be anyone. A key reason that uprisings were few and far between. Many informed, believing that the Gestapo would find out anyway
When were concentration camps first set up?
Almost immediately after Hitler took control of Germany in 1933- soon they were being purpose built
What happened in concentration camps?
Prisoners were forced to do hard labour, had little food and suffered harsh discipline, beatings and random executions- few emerged alive
What were the key reasons that there was little opposition to the Nazi regime?
Fear (of job loss, being sent to a concentration camp or even execution), Nazi propaganda and Nazi successes
What Nazi successes helped to prevent uprisings?
Economic recovery, discipline, traditional values, Germany becoming superpower again