The Nazi Party Flashcards
When was Hitler appointed Chancellor?
28th January 1933
Though Hitler was Chancellor what were the 2 restraints of his position?
1) Nazi party did not have majority seat in the Reichstag.
2) Hitler could always be dismissed by Hindenburg
Who was Joseph Goebbels?
Hitler’s publicity officer in charge of all Weimar government’s media equipment, radio stations and press connections.
What was the ‘enabling act’?
The ‘Enabling Act’ was passed on the 23rd March 1933. This act allowed the chancellor and his coalition to have the power of the government for 4 years.
Through what means did Hitler use violence to establish Nazi control?
He used the SA (Sturmabteilung) who agitated bu the long winded process of gaining power legally through elections began to increase their campaign of street violence and intimidation. This was one of the factors that gained him more votes in the election of 1933.
What was the Reichstag fire and why was it significant?
It was when the Reichstag building was on fire the origin of which is still debated today. The Nazi’s jumped in and blamed the incident on Marinus Van der Lubbe who was a communist. Hitler declared that the communists were trying to seize Germany and got help from Hindenburg. In which Hindenburg used Article 48 to arrest majority communist politician. Thus removed the Nazi party’s main opposition.
What was the coordination policy?
This was when Nazi took control of all public services such as schools, police stations and postal services. This allowed Hitler to Nazify Germany effectively.
Why was Hitler threatened by the SA?
The SA were hugely influential in the Nazi party. The SA leader Ernest Rohm increased in power and was increasingly disobedient during the period of impasse (time before Hitler came to power). Hitler thought Rohm had too much power. The SA were also unliked by the army who thought the SA were ill-disciplined thugs. Hitler thought the army was more reliable unlike the SA under the leadership of Rohm.
Who were the SA (Sturmabteilung)?
The SA were the illegal mirror of the political counterpart. They ran campaigns of violence and intimidation against rival parties. The SA wanted the assimilate the German army and bring them in line with the party.
What happened in the Night of the Long Knives?
Ernest Rohm and 200 members of the SA were killed by the SS. The SS was a smaller Nazi paramilitary group hired by Hitler to deal with the threat of the SA. This brutal measure by Hitler won him the support of the army
When does Hindenburg die?
2nd August 1934
What did Hitler legalise by killing the SA?
He legalised murder for the governmnet illustrating a very different regime compared to the previous safer German Empire.
What policy did Hitler adopt to maintain absolute power in his govt?
‘divide and rule’ policy. This meant intentionally leaving deputies large degree of autonomy to make sure the departments overlapped in their duties.
What did Goebbels do in order for Hitler to maintain unquestionable dominance?
He created a ‘cult of personality’ through extensive propaganda which made him the icon/the face of the party.
Who was the deputy in charge of the SS?
Henrich Himmler
