Legal methods

• Reichstag fire


  1. A Dutch communist sets fire to the Reichstag building

  2. Hitler makes a speech blaming communists and calling for emergency powers

  3. President Hindenburg agrees to vote on granting emergency powers
• Enabling Act


  1. Hitler submits the "Act to Promote and Secure the Reich" (Enabling Act)

  2. The Reichstag votes to approve the Enabling Act, giving Hitler dictatorial powers
• Gleichschaltung


  1. Hitler subordinates all individuals and organizations in Germany to Nazi control

  2. Removes non-Nazis from government, legal system, churches, etc.

  3. Consolidates complete power under the Nazi party
• The Reichstag fire, Enabling Act, and Gleichschaltung were all legal methods used by Hitler to consolidate power, not to maintain power