Political and governmental change, 1933-45 Flashcards
1
Q
When was Hitler appointed Chancellor of the Weimar Republic?
A
30th January 1933
2
Q
How did the burning down of the Reichstag in February 1933 help Hitler consolidate his control in Germany?
A
- The Nazis got credit for catching the supposed arsonist, Marinus van der Lubbe.
- The Nazis were able to stir up anti-communist propaganda.
- German industrialists contributed generously to the Nazi cause as fear of communism rose.
- Hitler was able to persuade Hindenburg to declare a state of emergency, giving Hitler control of the police and power to govern Germany by decree. He passed the Decree of the Reich President for the Protection of the People and State, which suspended the civil rights of German citizens. Hitler could legally arrest political opponents and ban opposition newspapers.
- Hitler banned the communists from taking their seats in the Reichstag following the March 1933 election.
3
Q
When was the Reichstag fire?
A
27th February 1933
4
Q
What happened on February 27th 1933?
A
The German parliament (Reichstag) building burned down. The Nazi leadership and its coalition partners used the fire to claim that Communists were planning a violent uprising. They claimed that emergency legislation was needed to prevent this.
5
Q
What was the Decree of the Reich President for the Protection of the People and State?
A
Commonly known as the Reichstag Fire Decree was passed on February 28th 1933, one day after the Reichstag Fire. The regulations ๐๐๐๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ถ๐บ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐๐๐ถ๐๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป, ๐ฒ๐๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ ๐๐ต๐ผ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ด๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ฑ๐๐ฎ๐น ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฑ๐๐ฒ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐น๐ฎ๐. The decree permitted the restriction of the right to assembly, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press, among other rights, and it removed all restraints on police investigations.
6
Q
What did the Reichstag Fire Decree permit?
A
The restriction of the right to assembly, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press, among other rights, and it removed all restraints on police investigations.
With the decree in place, the regime was free to arrest and incarcerate political opponents without specific charge, dissolve political organisations, and suppress publications. The decree also gave the regime the authority to overrule state and local laws and overthrow state and local governments.
7
Q
What did the Reichstag Fire Decree help to do?
A
Pave the way for Nazi dictatorship.
8
Q
Who was found guilty of the Reichstag Fire?
A
Marinus van der Lubbe - confessed and claimed to have acted alone and have set the Reichstag building on fire in an attempt to rally German workers against fascist rule.
9
Q
Re the Reichstag Fire, what did the Nazis do to bolster their claims?
A
The police also arrested three Bulgarian members of the Communist International, who were in Germany at the time, and a leading German Communist
10
Q
What did Gรถring say about the Reichstag Fire?
A
He declared that the communists had planned a national uprising to overthrow the Weimar Republic. This hysteria helped to turn the public against the communists, one of the Nazis main opponents, and 4,000 people were imprisoned.
11
Q
How many people were imprisoned after the Reichstag Fire?
A
4,000
12
Q
How was the Reichstag Fire Decree justified?
A
It was justified on the false premise that the Communists were planning an uprising to overthrow the state.
13
Q
Who did Hitler persuade to pass the Reichstag Fire Decree?
A
Hindenburg
14
Q
Why was the Reichstag Fire Decree important?
A
Gave the Nazis a legal basis for the persecution and oppression of any opponents. The Nazis were able to suppress any opposition to their power, and were able to start the road from democracy to a dictatorship.
15
Q
Why were some people in established political parties suspicious of Hitler?
A
Because of his lower-middle class background.
16
Q
In Hitlerโs first cabinet, what did Goering do?
A
Used the police in Prussia to persecute left-wing political opponents and appointed 50,000 members of the SA as auxiliary police officers. The SA unleashed terror on the Nazisโ left-wing opponents and persecute Prussian Jews.
17
Q
What was SA violence facilitated by?
A
Legal changes that Hitler made after his first few months in office e.g Reichstag Fire Decree.
18
Q
Describe the causes of the Reichstag Fire.
A
The causes are still disputed.
19
Q
Who did the Nazis blame for the Reichstag Fire?
A
Marinus van der Lubbe, a Dutch communist found at the scene.
20
Q
What did Hitler use the Reichstag fire to do?
A
Exploit it - used it as a preset to crush the KPD.
21
Q
Who did Goebbels, the Nazisโ Propaganda Minister, claim that Germany was under attack from after the Reichstag Fire?
A
The Communists
22
Q
Having created a pretext for action, what steps did the Nazis take to destroy the Communists?
A
- The Nazis instructed police to conduct late night raids of the homes of leading Communists. As a result, over 4,000 people were arrested.
- Hitler and Goering persuaded the Cabinet and Hindenburg to authorise an emergency decree - the Decree of the Reich President for the Protection of the People and State, or the Reichstag Fire Decree.
23
Q
How did the two clauses of the Decree of the Reich President for the Protection of the People and State help consolidate Nazi power?
A
- Clause 1 suspended individual rights and the freedom of the press. Consequently, the German people lost the right to free speech, to free assembly and to protest. Also gave government the power to put people in prison without charging them with a specific crime, to confiscate property, and to intercept post and phone calls.
- Clause 2 gave Hitlerโs government the right to enforce law and order in the German states. This extended the power of Hitlerโs government and undermined the power of Germanyโs state governments, some of which were power bases for Hitlerโs opponents.
24
Q
Why was Clause 2 of the Reichstag Fire Decree important?
A
It extended the power of Hitlerโs government and undermined the power of Germanyโs state governments, some of which were power bases for Hitlerโs opponents.
25
How did Goebbels's propaganda justify the Reichstag Fire Decree?
- He argued that the Communist plot was extremely serious and could lead to all kinds of terrorist activities; therefore these measures were necessary to protect German citizens.
- He also argued that the Communists were planning a revolution and therefore the Decree was necessary to ensure the survival of the German state.
26
Did Goebbels argue the Reichstag Fire Decree was temporary or permanent in propaganda?
He argued that these powers were only temporary.
In spite of this, the suspension of individual rights lasted from February 1933 until the end of the regime in 1945.
27
What did Hitler persuade Hindenburg to grant him after the Reichstag Fire?
Emergency powers.
28
To summarise, why did the Reichstag Fire benefit the Nazis?
- Made people afraid of Communism.
- The Decree of the Reich President for the Protection of the People and State was passed, paving the way for Nazi dictatorship.
- The emergency powers meant that thousands of people who opposed the Nazis were arrested.
- Gave Hitler control over the states - could enforce law and order there.
- Hitler persuaded Hindenburg to call another election.
29
After the Reichstag fire, who gave financial support to the Nazis?
German industrialists - fear of communism.
30
Who got the credit for catching Marinus van der Lubbe?
The Nazis
31
In the following weeks following the Nazi takeover of power, what did the SPD/KPD do?
Neither the SPD or KPD organised an effective campaign against the new government.
SPD - thought Hitler had a legal right to rule, therefore, while they objected to his actions, they respected his position as Chancellor.
KPD - believed that Hitler's government would only last a few months, at which point they could take power.
Therefore, the left were unable to organised effective resistance to Hitler.
32
Why couldn't unions organise a strike after Hitler starting using emergency powers?
Unions were still weak due to mass unemployment and were therefore not in a position to launch a general strike.
33
What were the limitations of Hitler's power as Chancellor in 1933?
- Civil rights were protected by the constitution.
- Nazis didn't control the Reichstag or the States.
- The press could criticise the government.
- Hindenburg was still president.
- Army still had power.
- To pass laws, Hitler had to consult the Reichstag - the Nazis weren't a majority party yet.
- There were only 2 Nazis in government (out of 12).
- Hindenburg had the power as President to dismiss Hitler as Chancellor - he openly disliked Hitler.
34
When Hitler became Chancellor in January 1933, how many Nazis were there in government?
Only 2 (out of 12)
35
Did Hindenburg like Hitler?
No he openly disliked Hitler
36
In January 1933, what did the coalition between the Nazis and the Nationalists control in the Reichstag?
About 40% of the seats in the Reichstag.
The new government needed the support of 50% of the Reichstag in order to pass laws and a two-thirds majority in order to pass laws.
37
What did the Hitler need in the Reichstag?
The new government needed the support of 50% of the Reichstag in order to pass laws and a two-thirds majority in order to pass laws.
38
What did Hitler do to call for more support in the Reichstag?
Called a new Reichstag election for March 1933, hoping to get a larger share of the vote and therefore ability to control the Reichstag.
39
Why did Hitler call an election in March 1933?
Hoped to get a larger share of the vote and therefore ability to control the Reichstag.
40
When were federal elections held?
5th March 1933
41
How did the Nazis manipulate the 5th March 1933 elections?
- The SA and police terrorised the Nazis' political opponents. Members of the KPD, SPD and union leaders were put in prison, detained in 'wild' concentration camps, beaten, or in some cases killed. In total, political violence resulted in the deaths of 69 people during the campaign.
- Goering persuaded big businesses to increase funding for the Nazis' election campaign, promising them that this would be the last election for many years. The Nazis raised more than 3 million Reichsmarks from 20 leading industrialists to help fund their campaign.
- The Nazis used their growing control of the media to create the illusion that the KPD was plotting an imminent revolution to overthrow the German state. Soldiers were sent out to patrol the streets in major cities to reinforce the idea that the government was under threat.
- Also used the radio to broadcast their anti-communist message.
- The Nazis decided not to ban the KPD until after the election in order to split the left-wing vote between the KPD and the SPD.
42
How many deaths did political Nazi violence lead to in the lead up to the March elections?
Deaths of 69 people
43
Who persuaded big businesses to increase funding for the Nazis' election campaign in March 1933?
Goering
44
Goering persuaded big businesses to increase funding for the Nazis' election campaign in March 1933 - what did this result in?
The Nazis raised more than 3 million Reichsmarks from 20 leading industrialists to help fund their campaign.
45
During the March 1933 election campaign, how did the Nazis use the media to manipulate people?
Used their growing control of the media to create the illusion that the KPD was plotting an imminent revolution to overthrow the German state. Soldiers were sent out to patrol the streets in major cities to reinforce the idea that the government was under threat.
46
During the March 1933 campaign, why did the Nazis decide not to ban the KPD?
To split the left-wing vote between the KPD and the SPD.
47
Results of the March 1933 election
In spite of their tactics and their best election result, the Nazis failed to get a majority of support, polling only 43.9% which 288 seats. An improvement of almost 10% from the last November election. But they still didn't command a majority.
As part of a coalition with the DNVP however, and abolition of the KPD, they now controlled more than 50% of the seats in the Reichstag and gained a Reichstag majority, although they didn't have the two-thirds majority necessary to change the constitution and govern alone.
48
What percentage of votes did the SPD and KPD get in the March 1933 elections?
SPD - 18.25%
KPD - 12.32%
89% voter turnout
49
How did Nazi violence during the March 1933 election campaign affect Hindenburg and von Papen?
It concerned both Hindenburg and von Papen, both of whom had hoped the Nazi campaign would have ordered an end to SA violence.
50
Who was Franz von Papen?
He served as the chancellor of Germany in 1932, and then as the vice-chancellor under Adolf Hitler from 1933 to 1934.
51
Why was Hindenburg's concern after the March 1933 elections a problem for Hitler?
Because he had the power the remove Hitler and appoint a new chancellor.
52
After Hindenburg's concern after the March 1933 elections, how did the Nazis deal with him?
1. On 10th March, Hitler instructed his his followers to halt their violent acts.
2. Goebbels organised a dramatic ceremony at the Potsdam Garrison Church to celebrate the opening of the new Reichstag - the Day of Potsdam. Designed to emphasise the common ground between Nazism and Hindenburg's more traditional brand of nationalism. It persuaded Hindenburg and other leading Nationalists that the Nazi movement represented a rebirth of the best traditions of the German nation.
53
What did the Day of Potsdam persuade Hindenburg and other leader Nationalists?
That the Nazi movement represented a rebirth of the best traditions of the German nation.
54
What was the Day of Potsdam?
A ceremony that was the opening of the new Reichstag - Hitler used the inaugural celebrations of the newly elected Reichstag (parliament) for a message of propaganda.
55
What was the Day of Potsdam designed to do?
Reach out and win the support of conservatives in government as well as Germans who had not voted for the Nazis in the March elections.
56
Describe the Day of Potsdam
- Hindenburg and Hitler were at the centre of the ceremony.
- Goebbels' propaganda presented them as a the embodiments of the old and new Germany.
- Hindenburg was saluted by the SA.
- Hitler wore a frock coat and top hat, designed to appeal to the middle-class voters.
- Hitler showed Hindenburg great respect and deference throughout the service.
- At the climax of the service the two leaders laid down wreaths to honour Germany's war dead.
57
What did the Day of Potsdam do in Germany?
Did a great deal to calm fears about Nazi radicalism, by showing the Nazis as Hindenburg's partners in the new government.
58
When was the Day of Potsdam?
21st March 1933
59
Following the March 1933 election, what was Hitler's situation?
He had a much stronger position in the Reichstag. However, he still did not have dictatorial power.
60
Why was the Enabling Act important for Hitler to have?
It would give Hitler power to make laws, a power that the constitution gave to the Reichstag - Hitler would be independent of the Reichstag.
61
What did Hitler need in order to pass the Enabling Law?
Two-thirds of the Reichstag to support it. He had to manipulate/persuade the German parliament to ensure that the constitutional change was passed.
62
When did the Reichstag meet to debate the new proposed Enabling Law? (at the Kroll Opera House as the Reichstag was still unusable after the fire)
March 23rd 1933
63
What did the Nazis do to ensure that they were able to get 2/3 majority of the Reichstag to support the Enabling Law?
- Banned the Communist Party and SPD. A total of 81 KPD deputies and 26 SPD deputies were refused admission to the debate. This was justified on the grounds that the left was implicated in the Reichstag fire and these politicians posed a threat to the stability of Germany.
- Hitler publicly promised to respect the traditional rights of the Catholic Church within Germany in order to win support of the Centre Party.
- The SA surrounded the Reichstag, intimidating elected deputies.
- Hitler announced that the law was only temporary and that his new powers would be in effect for only four years.
64
What did Hitler announce about the Enabling Law to persuade it to pass?
That the law was only temporary and that his new powers would be in effect for only four years.
65
Who were the only people that voted against the Enabling Law?
The Social Democrats (SPD). The SPD deputies who were able to enter the Reichstag voted against the law, arguing that it destroyed German democracy.
66
How many KPD and SPD deputies were refused admission to the Enabling Law debate on March 23rd 1933?
81 KPD deputies
26 SPD deputies
67
Were Hitler's tactics in manipulating the German Parliament into supporting the Enabling Law successful?
Yes - by excluding all the KPD deputies and some SPD deputies, and by winning over the Centre Party, the Nazis gained a two-thirds majority. The Enabling Act passed by 444 votes
to 94.
68
What was the Enabling Act passed by?
444 votes to 94 against.
69
Why was the Enabling Act significant?
- The Enabling Act radically extended Hitler's formal powers, fundamentally altering the nature of the German constitution.
- It gave Hitler the power to make laws and effectively made the Reichstag redundant.
- In so doing, the Act finally killed German democracy.
The Weimar Republic and democracy it brought to Germany had ended as the Reichstag voted itself out of existence.
70
What was good for Hitler about the Enabling law?
All important decisions were now made by Hitler and his closest advisors.
71
When was the Enabling Law passed?
23rd March 1933
72
Who were the second most popular party in Nazi Germany?
Communists - why Hitler wanted to get rid of them.
73
What was the Enabling Law?
The Enabling Act allowed the Reich government to issue laws without the consent of Germanyโs parliament, laying the foundation for the complete Nazification of German society. Gave Hitler total power to RULE BY DECREE for 4 years.
PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE ENDED.
74
What was the Enabling Law's full name?
Law to Remedy the Distress of the People and the Reich
75
How did the Enabling Act change Hitler's power as Chancellor?
- Enables him to change the constitution.
- Can override the Reichstag.
- Lets him pass laws without going through Reichstag.
76
Even though the Reichstag did remain throughout the Nazi period, why were elections undemocratic?
The German people could vote for Nazi candidates only.
77
In Nazi Germany, what were the Reichstag's two major functions?
1. It had a ceremonial function - it met on special occasions and heard speeches by Hitler. This gave the regime the appearance of legitimacy. The Reichstag had been part of German life since 1871 and was considered to represent the German nation. Therefore abolishing it would have been unpopular.
2. The Reichstag was necessary to renew the Enabling Act every four years. Indeed, it renewed the law in 1937 and 1941. The regular renewals of the law were part of Hitler's campaign to demonstrate that the Nazi regime was rooted in German law and therefore deserved the respect and obedience of all Germans.
78
When were trade union offices taken over by the SA and SS?
May 2nd 1933
79
What happened re trade unions in the lead up to Hitler's dictatorship?
- Trade union offices were taken over by the SA and SS and funds were seized.
- Many union leaders arrested and sent to early concentration camps.
- All trade unions were merged into one organisation, the new German Labour Front (DAF), controlled by the NSDAP and led by Robert Ley.
80
How did the abolition of trade unions change Hitler's power?
Hitler removed opportunity for opposition movements to arise from the trade unions - strengthening his power. (e.g Unions showed their threat in the Kapp Putsch).
81
What is Gleichschaltung?
Literally means 'coordination' or 'integration', was a term used in high tech industries and consequently implied that the Nazis were making Germany more efficient and better organised (the Nazis used the word to hide the controversial aspects of their regime). It was the process of Nazification by which Hitler and the Nazi party established a system of totalitarian control.
82
What did the Enabling Law give Hitler?
Law-making power and neutralised the Reichstag.
83
How did Hitler and the Nazis use Gleichschaltung?
Through Nazifying important institutions such as newspapers and the trades unions. In doing so, it neutralised potential threats to the Nazi regime. It also 'coordinated' aspects of the German government.
84
What happened on July 14th 1933?
A law was passed which banned all remixing political parties and prevented new parties from forming. By this stage, the Social Democratic Party and the Communist Party had already been banned.
Called the Law against the Founding of New Parties.
85
When were all political parties (apart from the NSDAP) banned?
July 14th 1933
86
How did the 14th July 1933 Law against the Founding of New Parties change the political nature of Germany?
Germany had become a one-party state.
87
What was passed on January 30th 1934?
The Law for the Reconstruction of the Reich
88
When was the Law for the Reconstruction of the Reich passed?
January 30th 1934
89
What did the Law for the Reconstruction of the Reich do (January 30th 1934)?
Abolished the Lรคnder altogether and brought them under government control. Essentially converted Germany from a federal republic to a unitary state.
90
How did the Law for the Reconstruction of the Reich change the political nature of Germany?
Power had become centralised in Germany.
91
When was the Night of the Long Knives (Rรถhm Purge)?
30th June-2nd July 1934
92
30th June-2nd July 1934
The Night of the Long Knives
93
What was the Night of the Long Knives?
The purge of the SA leadership and other political opponents. Carried out primarily by the SS and the Gestapo, over 150 people were murdered and hundreds more were arrested. It was essentially a violent suppression of many of Hitler's remaining enemies which resolved some of the long-standing tensions within the government.
94
Who was Ernst Rรถhm?
The leader of the SA and long-term ally of Hitler.
95
Why did the Night of the Long Knives arise?
As a result of disagreements between the SA and the leaders of the German army.
96
What did the SA represent?
The more working-class section of the Nazi Party. Indeed, the SA's agenda reflected some of the 'socialist' aspects of Nazism.
97
TNOTLN:
By 1934, how many members did the SA have?
Over 3 million - and they wanted to take control of the army.
Consequently, conservative members of the government and the leaders of the army viewed it as a threat to their power.
98
Why were the traditional elite and Hitler worried about Rรถhm?
Rรถhm's central ambition concerned the army. His goal was to either replace the existing army with the SA or to give the SA equal status to the traditional army within German society. Rรถhm had a vision of a 'people's army' led by the 'front generation' which kept the spirit and heroism of the trenches alive.
99
TNOTLN:
What did Hitler start seeing Rรถhm as instead of a friend?
A potential rival
100
TNOTLN:
Who was Werner von Blomberg and what did he start thinking?
Head of the German army - was horrified at the thought of the SA taking over the army. He viewed the SA as an ill-disciplined, working-class and thuggish. For Blomberg the army should be based on discipline and order: the traditional values of the Prussian aristocracy.
101
TNOTLN:
What was a constant feature of the Nazis first year in power?
Tensions between the SA and the traditional elite.
102
Why were Goering and Himmler keen to get rid of Rohm?
So that they could be more powerful.
Himmler wanted the SS to grow.
103
Difference between the SS and SA
- SA was made up of former soldiers, the SS was comprised of a new generation who had been children during the First World War.
- SA tended to be working class, or lower middle class with only a basic education, the SS had a more middle-class character and members tended to be well educated.
- The SA was known for its chaotic violence and Himmler's SS was highly organised and disciplined.
104
Who was Heinrich Himmler?
Leader of the Nazi party, Reichsfuhrer (he rapidly expanded the SS which reached a membership of more than 50,000 by 1933), and chief architect of the 'Final Solution'.
105
Why did Goering want to remove Rohm?
Both him and Rohm wanted to be head of the army.
106
How many people died during the Night of the Long Knives?
At least 85 people died during the purge, although the final death toll may have been in the hundreds, with high estimates running from 700 to 1,000.
107
Reasons for the Night of the Long Knives
- Hitler concerned over the increasing power of the SA.
- Wanted to reassure the army who were worried they could be taken over by the SA, and the army were the only organisation that has the power to overthrow Hitler.
- Rohm was a rival.
108
What was the Night of the Long Knives?
A series of political extrajudicial executions intended to consolidate Hitler's power and alleviate the concerns of the German military about the role of Ernst Rรถhm and the SA.
109
What happened on the Night of the Long Knives?
The violent arrest and execution of political opponents by the SS and Gestapo, including Ernst Rohm and members of the SA (Stormtroopers). Several hundred people were murdered in the days following, including ex-Chancellor Kurt von Schleicher and a senior military leader
110
Why was the Night of the Long Knives important?
Showed Hitler was willing to resort to the illegal elimination of political opponents to seize power. Also sent a warning to the rest of Germany about how ruthless Hitler was willing to be in his pursuit of power.
111
Why did Hitler authorise the Night of the Long Knives?
- Needs army's support (especially once Hindenburg dies) and SA wanted to take control of the army.
- He had become concerned at the increasing power of the SA. The leader of the SA, Ernst Rohm, was a close friend but potential rival.
112
What happened once President Hindenburg died?
Hitler made himself President as well as Chancellor. He was now the undisputed head of government. Hitler declared himself Fรผhrer.
113
When did Hindenburg die?
2nd August 1934 - Hitler made himself President as well as Chancellor.
114
2nd August 1934
Hindenburg dies
115
August 1934
The German army aligned itself behind the Nazi regime and took an oath of personal loyalty to Hitler.
116
When did the army swear on oath to Hitler?
August 1934
117
What was Hitler after the army sweared an oath of loyalty to him?
Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces/Commander in Chief of the Army.
All German soldiers swore to obey Hitler and to risk their life for him at any time.
118
How did the army swearing on oath change Hitler's power?
They were on his side - removed any threat which could be posed by the army.
119
Timeline of Hitler's establishment of a dictatorship
- January 30th 1933: Adolf Hitler is appointed Chancellor of Germany.
- February 27th 1933: Reichstag Fire.
- March 5th 1933: An election is called.
- March 24th 1933: The Enabling Act
- May 2nd 1933: Trade union offices taken over by SA and SS and union leaders sent to camps.
- July 14th 1933: Law banning political parties.
- January 30th 1934: Law for the Reconstruction of the Reich (abolished Lander).
- June 30th-2nd July, 1934: The Night of the Long Knives.
- August 2nd 1934: Hindenburg dies
- August 1934: Army swears on oath to Hitler.
120
What were elected Landers replaced with? (Law for the Reconstruction of the Reich)
Reich governors, appointed by the government. The majority of these Reich governors had been Nazi Gauleiters.
121
Law for the Reconstruction of the Reich (abolishing of Lander):
What was good about this law? (for the Nazis)
The Ministry of the Interior was given more power over the federal regions, which achieved the Nazi drive towards the centralisation of control over Germany and the ending of federalism.
122
What did the Nazis want to do re civil service?
Wanted to 'coordinate' the civil service to stop civil servants opposing Nazi initiatives.
123
What was passed in April 1933?
The Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service was passed, which meant that anyone whose 'racial purity' or political loyalty was in doubt could be dismissed.
124
When was the Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service passed?
April 1933
125
When was federalism abolished?
1934 - strengthening the power of central government.
126
When federalism was abolished, who took over as regional governors?
Gauleiters
127
What were Gauleiters?
The Gauleiter were the top Nazi regional leaders. They were responsible for coordinating the Nazi party in Germany's regions.
They had enormous authority as they were answerable directly to Hitler because they effectively took control of German government.
128
Why were political parties a threat to to the Nazis?
They could organise in opposition to the new government.
129
What happened to the KPD?
The KPD ceased to be an effective campaigning organisation by mid-March 1933. SA violence and intimidation, as well as the arrest and in some cases murder of KPD members, meant the party was driven underground by the time of the March election.
Officials banned in mid-July 1933.
130
When did the Nazis ban the SPD?
July 1933 - claiming it was hostile to the German state and people.
131
What party dissolved due to pressure from the press, attacks, and intimidation from the SA?
DNVP
132
What happened to the DVP and DDP (two small liberal parties)?
They dissolved after performing poorly in the March election and because of Nazi intimidation.
133
How did the Nazi party get rid of the Centre Party, the only major party that remained active in Germany by early July 1934?
- The Nazi government put pressure on senior Catholic politicians to follow the nationalist parties and dissolve the party voluntarily as an expression of national unity.
- The Nazis also promised that they would respect and protect the traditional rights of the Catholic Church.
- On 6 July the Centre Party capitulated and formally dissolved itself.
134
Who were the primary targets of the Night of the Long Knives?
The leaders of the SA
135
What happened to the SA after the Night of the Long Knives?
Not abolished, rather Hitler appointed the loyal Viktor Lutze as its new leader.
