Build Up to Hitler

• Who were Hitler's personal bodyguards

  The SS (Blackshirts)
• When was the Hitler youth set up

  1926
• How many members did the Nazi party have in 1925 and 1928

  27,000 and 100,000
• Who was Hitler's Party Propaganda leader and when was he appointed

  Goebbels and 1928
• What were the main reasons that people voted for the Nazis

  • Great Depression - economic hardships
  • Nazi techniques
  • Fear of communism
  • Weimar republic unpopular
• How did the Nazis use the Great Depression to gain power

  • suffering encouraged people to turn to the extremist parties for solutions
  • Nazis promised 'Work and Bread' (were going to provide jobs so people could look after families) - simple promise that appealed to many
  • Nazis tried to appeal to workers who would otherwise vote communist
• What techniques did Nazis use to gain power

  • Hitler made speeches on radio + at mass rallies
  • Propaganda used to target different groups in society with different election promises.
  • SA increased support for the Nazi Party because they were organised and disciplined - opposite of Weimar which looked weak
  • The SA attacked opposition like Communists and tried to make it look like they were violent
• When did Von Schleicher become chancellor

  Dec 1932
• How did Hitler become Chancellor

  1. Von Papen determined to regain power so met up with Hitler
  2. Said he would make Hitler chancellor if he could be vice chancellor
  3. Von Papen convinced President Hindenburg that he could control Hitler
  4. Hindenburg had no choice
• What date did Hitler become chancellor

  30 Jan 1933
• When was the Reichstag fire

  Feb 1933 (1 week before election)
• Who was blamed for the Reichstag fire

  A Dutch communist who was arrested by Nazis
• How did the Nazis use the Reichstag fire to their advantage

  • claimed the communists would stage a takeover of Germany
  • Hitler persuaded Hindenburg to allow him to imprison his political opponents
  • people feared voting for communists
• what was the result for Nazis in March 1933 election

  Nazis had 44% but still not majority
• When was the Enabling act

  March 1933
• What was the Enabling act

  Allowed Hitler to make laws without consulting Reichstag for the next 4 years - enabled Hitler to make the country a dictatorship
• What did Hitler do after passing the enabling act

  • Banned opposing parties + put leaders in concentration camps
  • Banned trade unions
  • Used intimidation to make sure people didn't vote against him
  • (significantly increased his power in the country)
• When was the Night of the Long Knives

  June 1934
• What happened at The Night of the Long Knives

  • Hitler had Ernst Röhm (leader of SA) and 300 SA leaders shot by SS
  • Röhm became very powerful and a potential rival to Hitler
  • He was also critical of Hitler working with big businesses and wanted to support the working class
• What was the significance of The Night of the Long Knives

  • Hitler eliminated his enemies - including Von Schleicher
  • told the public he had protected them
• When did President Hindenburg die

  Aug 1934
• What did Hindenburg's death lead to

  • Hitler combined roles of Chancellor and President to make himself Führer (Supreme leader)
  • Nobody could stop him due to enabling law
  • Hitler made the army swear loyalty to him instead of the country
  • Hitler finally established dictatorship
• What 4 events helped solidify Hitler's power

  1. Reichstag Fire
  2. Enabling act
  3. Night of the Long Knives
  4. Death of Hindenburg