Topic 4 Consolidation Of Power Flashcards
When was the Reichstag Fire?
27 February 1933
Who was found guilty of starting the Reichstag Fire?
Marines van der Lubbe (a Dutch communist)
What decree did Hitler persuade Hindenburg to pass as a result of the Reichstag Fire?
Decree for the Protection of the People and State
When were trade unions banned?
May 1933
When was the Enabling Act passed?
March 1933
What was the Enabling Act?
Gave Hitler the right to make laws without the Reichstag’s approval for four years.
When was the Law against Formation of Parties passed?
July 1933
What replaced trade unions?
DAF (German Labour Front)
When was the Night of the Long Knives?
30 June 1934
Why was the Night of the Long Knives an important turning point in establishing Hitlers dictatorship (4 things)?
Eradicated would-be opponents to Hitlers rule
Support of army
Relegated SA to minor role
Himmler opportunity to expand SS
When did President Hindenburg die?
2 August 1934
Between which dates did Hitler turn Germany into a one-party dictatorship?
January 1933 and August 1934
Why did Hitler persuade Hindenburg to do before the Reichstag Fire to try and increase support for the Nazi party?
Call general election
What were 3 ways Hitler used the Reichstag Fire to his advantage?
Argued communists planning revolution
Persuade Hindenburg to sign ’Decree for Protection of People and State’
Communist and socialist newspapers banned
What 3 powers did the Decree for the Protection of the People and State give Hitler?
Restrict freedom of speech
Limit freedom of press
Imprison enemies of state without trial
How many seats did the Nazis win in the 1933 election after the Reichstag Fire?
288- still not 2/3
How many seats did Hitler need to be able to change the Constitution?
2/3
What were 3 reasons Hitler was able to pass the Enabling Act?
Communists banned from voting in chamber
SA intimidated members as entered chamber
Promises made by Hitler to Catholic Centre Party to secure votes
What did the Enabling Act allow Hitler to establish?
Dictatorship and policy of Gleichschaltung (forcing into line)
What was the policy of Gleichschaltung?
Forced coordination, bringing all social, economic and political activities under state control
What were 5 ways Hitler used the Enabling Act?
Control of states
Control of press
Ban on political parties
Ban of trade unions
Purge of civil service
What did the Law against the Formation of Parties do?
Made Nazi party only legal political party, Germany = one party state, some parties already disbanded voluntarily
Which law imposed strict control and censorship of the press?
Reich Press Law
Which law abolished state assemblies in January 1934?
the Law for the Restoration of the Reich
What were state assemblies replaced with?
Reich Governors
What did the Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service do?
Removed Jews and political opponents of Nazis from civil service posts
What did the policy of Gleichschaltung mean for Germany?
Every aspect of peoples lives controlled and monitored under Nazi control
When were the communist party (KPD) banned?
After Reichstag Fire March 1933
What happened to the Social Democratic Party in May 1933?
Headquarters, property and newspapers seized
How did State Government work before the Enabling Act?
Germany made up of 18 lander, each with own parliament, could refuse decisions made in Reichstag
What 3 things did the DAF enforce?
Decided wages
Workers couldn’t get work without DAF workbook
Strikes made illegal
What were 3 reasons Hitler saw the SA as an increasing threat to his power?
Ernst Rohm wanted to incorporate the army into SA
Needed support of army but generals never agree to Rohms demands
SA has numbers of 2 million by 1934, harder to control
What pact did Hitler make with the army?
Remove Rohm and SA, SA men under control of army, army swear oath of loyalty to Hitler
What happened on the Night of the Long Knives?
Over 400 ‘enemies of state’ arrested and shot by SS
Who were 3 key people killed on the Night of the Long Knives?
Rohm
Von Schleicher
Bavarian chief minister Von Kahr
What did Hitlers title of Fuhrer mean?
Head of State and Commander in Chief of Armed Forces
How did Hitler legitimise his position of Fuhrer?
90% of vote in referendum approved his decision
