becoming fuhrer

• What does the term Führer mean?

  Leader
• Who were the four key players in Hitler's rise to Chancellor?

  Hindenburg, Brüning, von Papen, von Schleicher
• What was the significance of the Reichstag Fire?

  It allowed Hitler to suppress opposition
• What decree did Hitler issue after the Reichstag Fire?

  Decree for the Protection of the People and the State
• What did the Enabling Act allow Hitler to do?

  Make laws without Reichstag approval
• What did the Enabling Act state about laws?

  They could overrule the constitution
• What was the effect of the Enabling Act on democracy in Germany?

  Germany ceased to be a democracy
• What happened to local government after the Enabling Act?

  It was closed down and replaced
• What happened to trade unions after the Enabling Act?

  They were replaced with the German Labour Front
• What happened to other political parties after the Enabling Act?

  They were banned or suppressed
• What happened to Hindenburg on August 2, 1934?

  He died
• How did Hitler use Hindenburg's death to his advantage?

  He combined the presidency with chancellorship
• What was the Führer's Oath?

  An oath of unconditional obedience to Hitler
• Who had to swear the Führer's Oath?

  All judges and army personnel
• What was the consequence of breaking the Führer's Oath?

  Harsh punishment
• What were the steps Hitler took in 1934 to secure his power in Germany?

  • Eliminated threats from the SA
  • Combined the presidency and chancellorship
  • Required an oath of loyalty from military and judges
  • Used Hindenburg's death to consolidate power
• What were the key events surrounding the Reichstag Fire?

  1. Fire occurred on February 27, 1933
  2. Communists were blamed and arrested
  3. Hitler issued a decree to suppress opposition
  4. Nazis secured two-thirds of the Reichstag seats
• What were the effects of the Enabling Act on German governance?

  • Allowed Hitler to make laws without Reichstag
  • Overruled the constitution
  • Ended democracy in Germany
  • Banned opposition parties and trade unions