The Nazi Dictatorship 1933-39 Flashcards
Why was Hitler dissatisfied with the title of chancellor?
The Weimar constitution restricts what he could do, Hindenburg as president had all the power and could overrule him
What was the Reichstag fire? (1933)
The Reichstag building was destroyed by a massive fire. A young communist was found on the scene and confessed to acting alone
How did the Reichstag fire benefit Hitler? (1933)
It was an opportunity to attack communism. Goering (now chief of police) claimed it was a communist conspiracy involving all communists. Hitler declared this a state of emergency
What did the state of emergency mean? (1933)
As long as Hindenburg agreed, Hitler could now use decrees to govern Germany
He persuaded Hindenburg to call an election in March so he could gain more power, nothing was unconstitutional
What did Hitler do before the election took place? (1933)
Violent election (70deaths)
He decreed for the protection of people of the state (could suspend peoples civil rights) - imprison those that opposed him
Controlling the police force, he ignored the SA’s misbehaviour
Persuaded industrialist business men to finance his campaign
How did Hitler win a majority? (1933)
After winning 288 seats, he banned the communists from their 81 seats using his emergency powers and the support of other parties, giving him a two third majority
After the Nazi’s had a majority what was the first law he introduced! (1933)
The enabling act, aloud Hitler to make laws without the Reichstag for four years, he had to force it through the Reichstag with intimidation
What did Hitler do to trade unions? (1933)
He banned trade unions and made striking illegal to solve their threat
What did Hitler do to Political parties? (1933)
Similar to trade unions, they were banned and made illegal except for the Nazi party
How did the Nazi party strengthen the central government even further? (1934)
Hitler banned local governments so he could control all the countries activity by appointing governors from the Nazi party instead
What caused the night of the long knives? (1934)
Hitler felt threatened by the head of the SA (Rohm) who’s army was 3million in number and he disagreed with his politics (wanted to be more socialist). When Hitlers associates Himmler and Heydrich warned Hitler of Rohms ‘plans’ to overthrow him, Hitler had to act
What was the night of the long knives? (1934)
The arresting, imprisoning and shooting of Rohm and other SA senior officers
What happened to Rohm after the night of the long knives? (1934)
Was taken to Stadelheim Gaol where he was shot after being pushed to commit suicide
What happened to Von Papen (still vice chancellor) in the night of the long knives? (1934)
After protesting, his offices were raided, staff were shot and arrested. His house was surrounded and he was threatened
Who else was killed at the night of the long knives? (1934)
Over four days, more than 400 people that threatened Hitler were killed, including Von Schleicher and Strasser (similar to Rohm)
Many of these were covered up as the victims fault
How did citizens react to the night of the long knives? (1934)
Some saw how this was clearly wrong and illeagal, most kept their disgust to themselves, most were grateful the SA were restrained, they did not know the magnitude of it
How did the death of Hindenburg help Hitler? (1934)
Hitler could now move in to take supreme power, he declared himself the Fuhrer, added presidential powers and forced an oath from every member of the military to him
A vote was organised to confirm Hitler as the Fuher, 90% in favour
How did Hitler suppress views against him? (1934->)
Making Germany a police state controlled by the SS (now a private police force) and the Gestapo (secret police - under Goering’s control)
They could act outside the law, by 1939 150,000 people had been arrested but not committed an actual crime
Describe concentration camps?
Started off for political prisoners (first in 1933 (Dachau), located secretly and acted outside the rules of normal prisons. Undesirables were then added to these camps and it escalated to the mass killing of minority groups
How did the Nazi’s control the courts? (1934->)
Judges had to be members of a group supported by the Nazi’s, they could be sacked if they displeased the Nazi’s. Hitler gave supportive judges freedom to punish without proof. Hitler could decide a punishment himself
What did Hitler do in terms of Christianity?
Firstly he tried to control the church by reassuring them of cooperation, however he quickly turned to aggressive tactics to control religion
What was Hitlers agreement (concordat) with the pope? (1933)
Hitler confirmed freedom of worship for Catholics
Hitler promised not to interfere with German catholic schools
The pope agreed priests would not interfere with politics
The pope ordered German bishops to swear loyalty to the Nazi party
What were Hitlers actions after concordat towards the Catholic Church? (1933 onwards)
Arrested and harassed catholic priests (sent to concentration camps)
Catholic schools were either closed or turned to Naziism
Catholic youth activities were banned
Hitler broke his promises to the pope, the pope publicly criticised this
What was the Reich church?
Protestants grateful of Hitler (protecting them from communism) allowed Nazi symbols inside their church, this quickly became known as the Reich church, only Nazi supporting priests were allowed to carry on with their practices
