The Reichstag Fire, and the Enabling Act Flashcards
(15 cards)
The Reichstag Fire in February 1933 - van der Lubbe was arrested and killed for starting the fire ->
some people believed the Nazis had started the fire deliberately.
A lone Dutch communist was arrested for starting the fire but Hitler seized the opportunity too accuse the Communist Party of….
a conspiracy against the government
Hitler issued a __________ of __________ of the People and he could now imprison political opponents and ban…
opposition parties/newspapers
__________ communists were arrested
4000
After the Reichstag Fire, Hitler persuades Hindenburg to call an election. The Nazis…
gain two thirds of the seats - the communists couldn’t secure seats due to the emergency powers.
Article 48
Hitler used Article 48 to secure power against all communist opposition. By eliminating opposition, the next biggest party became the Nazis
The Enabling Act 1933
- the Reich cabinet could pass new laws
- the laws could overrule the constitution
- Hitler would propose the laws
He was able to do this because of Article 48
Democracy in Germany abolished.
Hitler expected resistance to the act so used the SA to intimidate opposition - the vote was won by the Nazis.
The enabling act enabled Hitler to get rid of opposition to the Nazis -> Local Governments
In Germany, there used to be Lander governments - in order to make sure every state in Germany was under complete Nazi control and to minimise the risk of opposition, he abolished the Lander governments.
The enabling act enabled Hitler to get rid of opposition to the Nazis -> Trade Unions
These were replaced with the German Labour Front - many union officials arrested - abolished workers rights in order to further emphasise nationalism instead of left-wing ideals.
The enabling act enabled Hitler to get rid of opposition to the Nazis -> Political opposition
in May 1933, the SDP and communist party KDP were abolished and their funds were stollen by the Nazis. All other political parties banned - Germany becomes a one-party state.
Threats to Hitler’s position as chancellor: communism
The communists were the other alternative extremists that the Germans turned to when they lost trust in the Weimar Republic.
Threats to Hitler’s position as chancellor: President Hindenburg
He had to die for him to be able to seize power
Threats to Hitler’s position as chancellor: SA
The SA - he had to ensure that they remained loyal to him - if they didn’t and if they turned against him, the Nazi party would collapse - very large in numbers, powerful and the party depended on them for control
Threats to Hitler’s position as chancellor: Trade Unions
If communists among the work force were able to control their trade unions, then these could be used to undermine the government.
Nazis broke into trade union offices and all over Germany arrested trade union officials.
Hitler used his new powers to officially make trade unions illegal.
After the fire, Hitler pressured Hindenburg into declaring a…
state of emergency - threat to the Reichstag - Article 48 - in a state of emergency, the president (manipulated by Hitler) can pass laws without advice from the Reichstag.
