Nazi road to Dictatorship 1932-4 Flashcards
SA
invited the young to join and have activities- gave them something to do
propaganda
April 1930 Joseph Goebbels
specific leaflets produced for different social groups
loudspeakers, radio, film and records
organisation of mass rallies
Fuhrer cult
who did the Nazis blame for losing the war
November criminals
jews
communists
violence
growth of unemployment meant joined SA and uncontrollable which led to increase in violence
Papen’s failure
Papen humiliated as 12 September 1932 call for vote of no confidence for Papen’s government - dissolved reichstag and called for new vote- Hidenburg demanded resignation
Hitler’s success
4th January 1933 secret meeting with Papen and Hindenburg- Hitler should head in a Nazi-Nationalist coalition government with Papen as vice-chancellor
back-stage intrigue- unseat Schleicher as vice-chancellor by Papen encouraging Hindenburg
30th January 1933 Hindenburg agreed to sanction the creation of a Nazi-Nationalist coalition- as Papen thought could control Hitler
Limitations as Hitler as chancellor
only 2 other nazis in cabinet of 12
hitler’s coalition government did nit have majority in reichstag
chancellor’s post dependent on whim of president
Hitler’s strengths
leader of largest political party
nazi party gained access to resources of state- Goring minister of interior for Prussia and controlled police
hitler was a master at policy tactician
Reichstag Fire
27th February 1933
reichstag caught on fire and believed now to be by the Nazis on purpose but blamed a dutch
allowed Hitler to create/ or have Hindenburg sign Decree for Protection of People and State
The Enabling Act 1933
gave Hitler complete power for 4 years
Gleichschaltung
bringing into line of Nazi policies
establishment of dictatorship
SA- exploited but used local level
The federal states - regional parliaments were abolished 1934
trade unions- 1 May declared celebration for trade union and next day union premises controlled by SA and SS and sent to early concentration camps such as Dachau
individual trade unions became part of DAF- 22 million members
Political parties- Communists banned since Fire, others willing to dissolve by June 1933 apart from ZP but did
The Night of the Long Knives
June 1934
caused by SA and Army inability to work together- SA became uncontrollable but army needed to ensure survival of Nazi regime
Rohm and other members assassinated - 200
Significance of NotLK
German army had aligned itself with Hitler
SA rendered almost unarmed and no significant role in development of Nazi state
Hitler secured own personal political power
when did Hindenburg die?
2nd August- no political crisis- Hitler assumed roles of chancellor, president and took on title of Fuhrer
key factors in establishing Nazi dictatorship
Terror
Legality
Deception
Propaganda
weakness of opposition
sympathy of conservative right