The creation of a dictatorship 1933-34

• What was Hitler's position at the start of his Chancellorship in 1933?

  His power was limited by the Weimar constitution.
• What limited Hitler's power at the beginning of his Chancellorship?

  The Weimar constitution and Hindenburg's power as president.
• What event in February 1933 allowed Hitler to increase his power?

  The Reichstag Fire.
• What was the immediate consequence of the Reichstag Fire?

  4,000 Communists were arrested on the night of the fire.
• How did Hitler use the state of emergency declared by Hindenburg?

  He imprisoned political opponents and banned communist newspapers.
• What did Hitler instruct the police to do regarding SA violence?

  To ignore SA violence on the streets.
• Who funded the Nazis during their rise to power?

  Wealthy industrialists.
• What was the outcome of the March 1933 election for the Nazis?

  They won 288 seats and banned the Communists from taking their 81 seats.
• What did the passing of the Enabling Act allow Hitler to do?

  Make new laws without consulting the Reichstag.
• What was the vote count for the Enabling Act passed in March 1933?

  444 votes to 94.
• What actions did Hitler take against trade unions in May 1933?

  He banned trade unions and made strikes illegal.
• What did Hitler do to political parties in July 1933?

  He made all political parties illegal except for the Nazis.
• What happened to the local Länder parliaments under Hitler's regime?

  They were abolished and replaced with Nazi governors.
• Why was Ernst Röhm seen as a threat to Hitler?

  He led the SA, which had grown to 3 million men and was critical of Hitler's policies.
• What was the size of the German army compared to the SA?

  The army had only 100,000 men.
• What was the outcome of the Night of the Long Knives in June 1934?

  Röhm and other SA leaders were shot, and von Papen was arrested.
• What significant event occurred in August 1934?

  President Hindenburg died.
• What new role did Hitler assume after Hindenburg's death?

  He combined the roles of President and Chancellor into Führer.
• What oath did Hitler force the army to take after becoming Führer?

  To swear an oath of loyalty to him as Führer.