totalitarian state

• • Hitler became Chancellor in January 1933 and was head of a coalition government, working with other parties.
  • Hitler persuaded the President to call an election for March so he could win greater control.
• • One week before the election, the Reichstag burned down.
  • The fire was blamed on Communists with Hitler saying it was the start of a revolution.
• • In the 1933 elections, the Nazis gained 43.9% of the vote.
  • Hitler had 26 SPD members arrested, meaning the Enabling Act was passed.
• • After the Act was passed, Hitler banned the left-wing SPD. Other political parties then disbanded.
  • Hitler passed a law in July 1933 making the Nazis the only legal political party.
• • The Nazis reached a concordat (agreement) with the Catholic Church that they would stay out of politics.
  • In return, the Catholic Church would be allowed to keep control of its schools and youth groups.
• ANALYSIS (FOR)

  • The Nazis feared attacking the churches would lose their support.
  • By reaching peaceful agreements they kept the support of many religious Germans.
• ANALYSIS (AGAINST)

  • The Nazis failed to fully control the churches.
  • Many Catholic priests spoke out against the Nazis.
  • The Protestant Confessional Church was set up to oppose Nazi control of religion.
• EVALUATION (AGAINST)

  Hindenburg did not die until 1934 so he had the power to stop the Nazis from passing laws to make Hitler Dictator.