Nazi consolidation of power 1933- 1934

• When Hitler was first made chancellor, in January 1933, he was in a weak position This was because:

  • The Nazis lacked an overall majority in the Reichstag
  • There were only 2 Other nazis in the cabinet and they were outnumbered by conservative nationalists. vice - Chancellor Franz von Papen planned to control Hitler
  • The army distrusted the nazis and resented the SA
  • Strong opposition from the KPD and the Social Democrats continued
• Febuary 1933 : The Reichstag five

  • the reichstag was reportedly set fire to by communist Marinus van Der Lubbe
  • Hitler declared this was the beggining of a communist uprising
  • Hindenburg granted Hitler Emergency powers, which allowed him to:

  l) Arrest 4,000 communists including party leaders, leaving the KPD leaderless

  2) Ban political meetings and close newspaper and radio Stations

  3) search houses and lock up suspects without trial
• March 1933: Enabling act

  • Despite not having a majority, Hitler persuaded the Other parties to support a new enabling act to give his government power for the next 4 years
  • using this new act, Hitler Could:

  1. make laws treaties and even change the constitution without consulting the Reichstag
  2. Rule by decree and dismantle the democratic system

  • By July, Hitler had made decrees banning trade unions and all other political parties, making Germany a One- party state
• june 1934: Night of the Long knives

  • Hitler used the SS to arrest 400 SA leaders including Ernst Rohm, Claiming they were plotting to kill him.
  • all 400 were shot, along with Many other people Hitler considered a 'threat to the party'
  • This caused Hitler to gain the trust of the German army
• August 1934: Hitler as Fuhrer

  • Hindenburg died 2nd august
  • Hitler decided he wanted to combine the roles of president and chancellor. In a referendum, over 90% of votes agreed