Unit 2 Rise of Hitler Flashcards
What was the Reichstag Fire?
The Reichstag Fire was an arson attack on the German parliament building (Reichstag) in Berlin on the night of February 27, 1933.
Who was blamed for the Reichstag Fire?
A Dutch communist named Marinus van der Lubbe was arrested and blamed for the fire, although the Nazis used the event to blame all communists.
What was the significance of the Reichstag Fire for the Nazi Party?
The Nazis used the Reichstag Fire as a pretext to claim that communists were plotting against the government, which allowed them to crack down on their political opponents.
What was the Reichstag Fire Decree?
The Reichstag Fire Decree was an emergency decree issued by President Hindenburg at Hitler’s request, which suspended civil liberties and allowed the arrest of political opponents without trial.
How did the Reichstag Fire Decree impact civil liberties in Germany?
The decree effectively nullified the Weimar Constitution’s protections of civil rights, allowing the Nazis to arrest and imprison thousands of communists and other political opponents.
What was the outcome for Marinus van der Lubbe after the Reichstag Fire?
Marinus van der Lubbe was tried, found guilty of setting the fire, and executed in January 1934, although his involvement has been widely debated.
How did the Reichstag Fire help Hitler consolidate power?
The fire and the subsequent decree enabled Hitler to eliminate opposition, suppress communists, and gain more control, leading to his consolidation of power.
How did the Nazis use the Reichstag Fire in their election campaign?
The Nazis used the Reichstag Fire to stoke fear of a communist uprising, helping them to win more votes in the March 1933 elections and strengthen their hold on power.
What was the Night of the Long Knives?
The Night of the Long Knives was a purge that took place between June 30 and July 2, 1934, where Hitler ordered the assassination of potential rivals and critics within the Nazi Party, especially leaders of the SA (Sturmabteilung).
Who were the main targets of the Night of the Long Knives?
The main targets were leaders of the SA, including its chief Ernst Röhm, as well as other political opponents such as former Chancellor Kurt von Schleicher.
Why did Hitler target Ernst Röhm during the Night of the Long Knives?
Hitler saw Röhm as a threat due to his control of the SA, which had millions of members. Röhm’s desire to merge the SA with the German military also alarmed the army and other Nazi leaders.
How did the German military react to the Night of the Long Knives?
he German military supported Hitler’s actions because the purge eliminated the SA’s influence, which they saw as a threat to their own power and independence
Why is the Night of the Long Knives significant in Nazi Germany’s history?
The Night of the Long Knives was significant because it marked the consolidation of Hitler’s power, the elimination of internal threats, and the establishment of the SS as the dominant force in Nazi Germany.
How did the Great Depression contribute to Hitler becoming Chancellor?
The economic crisis caused by the Great Depression led to mass unemployment and poverty in Germany, which eroded support for the Weimar government and increased support for extremist parties like the Nazis, who promised economic recovery.
How did the weakness of the Weimar Republic help Hitler become Chancellor?
The Weimar Republic was politically unstable, with frequent changes in government and ineffective coalitions. This instability made it difficult to address Germany’s problems, leading many to lose faith in democracy and turn to the Nazis.
