Nazi dictatorship 1933-39

• Now the Nazis and Hitler were in power, they used every opportunity, legal and illegal, to removeany opposition and secure a dictatorship
• Who was executed for starting the Reichstag Fire?

  A lone Dutch communist
• What opportunity did Hitler seize after the Reichstag Fire?

  To accuse the Communist Party of conspiracy
• How many communists were arrested after the Reichstag Fire?

  Four thousand
• What was the purpose of the Decree for the Protection of the People and the State?

  To imprison political opponents and ban opposition newspapers
• Who did Hitler persuade to call an election in March 1933?

  Hindenburg
• What was the outcome of the March 1933 election for the Nazi Party?

  They secured two-thirds of the seats
• How did the Nazi Party use emergency powers during the election?

  To prevent communists from taking their seats
• The Reichstag Fire in February 1933 allowed Hitler to blame communists for a plot against the government, leading to the arrest of 4,000 communists. Hitler used this to push through the "Decree for the Protection of the People and the State," which gave him power to imprison opponents and ban opposition newspapers. He then persuaded President Hindenburg to call a March election, and the Nazis secured two-thirds of the seats by preventing communists from taking theirs. This gave Hitler the power to change the constitution and strengthen his control.
• What significant change could Hitler make after securing two-thirds of the seats?

  He was able to change the constitution
• Causes of Reichstag Fire

  1. Political Instability: The Weimar Republic was struggling with political conflict, especially from the growing communist threat.
  2. Hitler's Ambition: Hitler wanted to eliminate political rivals, especially the communists.
  3. The Fire: The fire was started by a Dutch communist, and Hitler used it as an excuse to blame the Communist Party.
• Consequences of Reichstag Fire

  1. Emergency Powers: Hitler gained the "Decree for the Protection of the People and the State," allowing him to imprison opponents and close opposition newspapers.
  2. Communist Arrests: Thousands of communists were arrested, weakening their influence.
  3. March 1933 Election: The Nazis secured two-thirds of the seats by preventing the communists from participating.
  4. Nazi Control: Hitler used his power to change the constitution and establish a Nazi dictatorship.
• The Reichstag Fire of 27 February 1933.Marinus van der Lubbe was arrested and killedfor starting the fire – some people believedthe Nazis had started the fire deliberately
• The Enabling Act, 1933

  Hitler proposed the Enabling Act in order to destroy the power of the Reichstag and give himself total power to make laws.

  It stated that:

  • the Reich Cabinet could pass new laws
  • the laws could overrule the constitution
  • Hitler would propose the laws.

  Result: Germany would no longer be a democracy

  
  

  Hitler expected resistance to the act so used the SA to intimidate the opposition. The vote was won by the Nazis 444 to 94
• What was the purpose of the Enabling Act, 1933?

  To give Hitler total control
• Why did Hitler propose the Enabling Act?

  To eliminate the Reichstag as opposition
• How did the Reichstag Fire contribute to the Enabling Act?

  It weakened political rivals, especially communists
• What power did the Enabling Act grant to the Reich Cabinet?

  To make laws without Reichstag approval
• What was the impact of the Enabling Act on the Weimar Constitution?

  It allowed laws to override the Constitution
• Who proposed the laws under the Enabling Act?

  Hitler himself
• What was the consequence of the Enabling Act on German democracy?

  Germany was no longer a democracy
• What type of rule did the Enabling Act lead to?

  Totalitarian rule
• How did the Enabling Act affect political opposition?

  It removed checks on Hitler's power
• What political parties were silenced or banned due to the Enabling Act?

  Social Democrats and Communists
• What were the key points of the Enabling Act, 1933?

  • Reich Cabinet could make laws without Reichstag approval
  • Laws could override the Weimar Constitution
  • Hitler proposed the laws, centralizing control
• What were the consequences of the Enabling Act?

  • End of democracy in Germany
  • Establishment of totalitarian rule
  • Weakened political opposition and checks on power
• The effect the Enabling Act had on trade unions and political parties

  The Enabling Act allowed Hitler toget rid of opposition to the Nazis

  • Local Government: this was closed down on 31 March 1933 reorganized with Nazi majorities. It was completely abolished in January 1934
  • Trade unions: these were replaced with the German Labour Front. Many union officials were arrested on 2 May 1933
  • Other political parties: in May 1933, the SDP and Communist Party offices and funds were taken by the Nazis. In July 1933, other political parties were banned
• The Enabling Act allowed Hitler to eliminate opposition.

  1. Local Government: Local governments were reorganized with Nazi control and abolished in 1934.
  2. Trade Unions: The German Labour Front replaced trade unions, and many union leaders were arrested on May 2, 1933.
  3. Political Parties: In May 1933, Nazi officials seized the offices and funds of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Communist Party. By July 1933, all political parties were banned, consolidating Nazi power
• Why Röhm and the SA were a threat to Hitler

  • Röhm did not like Hitler’s policies.
  • The leaders of the Schutzstaffel (SS) wanted to reduce the size of the SA in order to increase their own power.
  • The SA was much bigger than the army and the army feared Röhm wanted to replace them
  • Many of the SA were bitter because they felt undervalued and angry because many were still unemployed, but they were loyal to Röhm
• Röhm and the SA were a threat to Hitler for several reasons:

  1. Power Rivalry: Röhm wanted the SA to replace the regular army, challenging Hitler's control over the military.
  2. Growing Influence: With 3 million members, the SA had significant power, which made Röhm a potential rival.
  3. Political Ambitions: Röhm pushed for more radical social reforms, threatening Hitler’s alliances with conservatives and the army.

  To remove this threat, Hitler ordered the Night of the Long Knives in June 1934, where Röhm and other SA leaders were executed.
• • The SS was set up by Hitler in 1925 to act as his bodyguards.
  • They were a select group run firstly by Schreck and then by Himmler.
  • They appeared menacing in their black uniforms.
• The Night of the Long Knives

  • Hitler decided to rid himself of the threat of Röhm and the SA.
  • He did this by inviting Röhm and 100 SA leaders to a meeting in the town of Bad Wiessee on 30 June 1934.
  • It was a ruse – when the leaders arrived they were arrested by the SS, taken to Munich and shot.
  • After the arrests, von Papen’s staff were arrested and his home surrounded.
  • Von Papen was no longer able to watch what Hitler was up to.
  • Further killings occurred, including that of von Schleicher.
• What event did Hitler carry out on June 30, 1934?

  Night of the Long Knives
• Why did Hitler carry out the Night of the Long Knives?

  To eliminate Röhm and the SA threat
• Who was arrested during the Night of the Long Knives?

  Röhm and 100 SA leaders
• Where were Röhm and the SA leaders taken after their arrest?

  To Munich
• What happened to Röhm and the SA leaders after their arrest?

  They were killed
• What was the consequence of the Night of the Long Knives for the SA?

  It removed the threat of the SA
• How did Hitler's actions after the Night of the Long Knives affect von Papen?

  He was made powerless by Hitler
• Who was killed along with von Schleicher?

  Other enemies of Hitler