Topic 4:Consolidation Of Power Flashcards
When did Hitler call an election?
Hitler called an election for 5th march 1933
What was the Reichstag fire?
On the 27th of feb 1933 the Reichstag building was set on fire.
It’s unknown who started the fire but the nazis arrested Marinus Van Der Lubbe, a Dutch communist
The nazis exploited the event to claim the communists were planning a takeover
The decree for the protection of the people and the state
Passed by Hindenburg.
It suspended civil rights and allowed the Nazis to imprison political opponents
The communist and socialist newspapers were banned
Effects of the fire
4000 communists arrested immediately after fire, increased to 25,000
Communists banned from Reichstag
Hitler announces the country is in danger of communism
The enabling act
On the 23rd of march 1933, the enabling act was passed. This suspended civil liberties and imposed censorship on the press, abolished trade unions and disbanded all political parties except the nazis.
Underlying rules of the enabling act
Communist members can’t vote
The SA intimidating voters
The communist party wasn’t counted, reducing voters
Absences were counted as present
lead up to night of the long knives
rohm wanted to merge the army and the SA which upset army leaders.
Hitler saw Rohm as a threat due to his and the SA s want for social reform
Himmler and Goering saw rohm as an opponent
events of night of long knives
Hitler had to make a decision between the SA and the army, he chose the army.
Ernst Rohm and the main SA leaders were killed by the SS.
about 400 people were murdered.
results of the night of the long knives
the nazis power strengthened as their main threats were now eradicated and the army now supported them, it also helped them to rule by fear
when did Hindenburg die
August 1934
death of Hindenburg
Hitler wanted to combine his post with president
following hindenburgs death, the army swore allegiance to hitler and he became commander or the armed forces. a referendum was held to seek public approval for combining posts, over 90% agreed
