Hitler's Consolidation of Power

• What was the primary method of Nazi consolidation of power between January 1933 and August 1934?

  Terror and violence
• Why did Hitler's power have political and constitutional limitations initially?

  Because Hindenburg was president and had the final say in constitutional matters
• Who was the president of Germany when Hitler became Chancellor?

  Hindenburg
• What was one of the significant obstacles to Hitler's consolidation of power?

  The loyalty of the army to Hindenburg
• How did Hitler use the SA to consolidate power?

  By unleashing a reign of terror against socialist and communist opponents
• What was the first permanent concentration camp established by Hitler?

  Dachau
• What event allowed Hitler to justify introducing repressive measures?

  The burning of the Reichstag building
• Who was charged with causing the Reichstag fire?

  Marinus van der Lubbe
• What was the purpose of the Enabling Act passed by Hitler?

  To allow Hitler to make laws without the permission of the Reichstag for 4 years
• How did the SA's repression of communist deputies help Hitler pass the Enabling Act?

  It allowed him to achieve the two-thirds majority needed in the Reichstag
• What significant event occurred on June 30, 1934?

  The Night of the Long Knives
• What was the outcome of the Night of the Long Knives for the SA?

  The SA was purged and lost its power
• How did Hitler secure the army's support after the Night of the Long Knives?

  By addressing the Reichstag and claiming to act as the "supreme judge" of the German people
• What legal measure did Hitler use after the Reichstag fire to consolidate power?

  The decree for the Protection of People and the State
• How many communists were arrested within two weeks after the Reichstag fire?

  10,000
• What was the purpose of the Law against the Formation of New Parties passed by Hitler?

  To ensure that the Nazi Party was the only legal political party in Germany
• What was the process of Gleichschaltung?

  The process of Nazi control over all aspects of German society
• What role did propaganda play in consolidating Nazi power?

  It helped win the support of the German people and glorified Hitler and the Nazi Party
• Who led the Propaganda Ministry established in March 1933?

  Joseph Goebbels
• What was the significance of the Day of Potsdam in March 1933?

  It was a key propaganda event that projected Hitler as a unifying figure
• How did the weaknesses of the political opposition contribute to Hitler's rise to power?

  The division between the KPD and SPD prevented effective cooperation against the Nazis
• What miscalculation did conservative elites make regarding Hitler?

  They underestimated him and believed they could control his popularity
• What title did Hitler declare for himself after merging the offices of Chancellor and President?

  Führer
• What were the main methods used by Hitler to consolidate power?

  • Terror and violence (e.g., SA, Night of the Long Knives)
  • Legal measures (e.g., Enabling Act, Reichstag fire decree)
  • Propaganda (e.g., Propaganda Ministry, media control)
  • Exploiting weaknesses of political opposition (e.g., division between KPD and SPD)
• How did the relationship between terror and legal measures contribute to the Nazi regime?

  The Nazis used violence to create conditions for legal changes, which legitimised further repression