Gaining power

• Became chancellor

  30th January, 1933
• 27th February

  The Reichstag fire
• The Reichstag Fire 


  An arson attack on the Reichstag building, which Hitler claimed as an attempt of communist take-over
• Who started the fire?

  Marinus van der Lubbe
• Consequences of fire

  Hitler persuaded Hindenburg to invoke article 48, and create the 'Decree of the protection of people and state'
• What did the Decree do?

  Took away the freedom of speech and press

  Able to make arrests without any investigation/evidence

  The searching and confiscation of properties without reason
• What did the decree lead to?

  The increase in Nazi/Hitler's power

  4,000 leaders were arrested and propaganda began to spread
• 5th March

  Reichstag elections
• Reichstag elections

  Where Hitler needed the majority vote to gain power within the government, the Nazis got 44% of votes then joined with National party to gain over 50%
• 23rd March 


  Getting the enabling act
• Enabling act

  Would allow Hitler to place laws without the Reichstag, giving absolute power
• How did he get votes for enabling act?

  The Communists were no longer allowed to vote

  The Centre party persuaded when Hitler promised the protection of catholic churches

  The Social Democrats amongst others were fearful of the SA and SS
• What did Hitler do with enabling act?

  Abolished all Trade unions

  Banned all political parties exept Nazi's, becoming a one-party state

  Passed the 'Law against the new formation of parties', which removed any competition
• 2nd May

  No trade unions
• Ban of political parties

  14th July
• 29th June, 1934 


  The night of the long knives
• Who was leader of the SA?

  Ernst Rohm
• Why was Ernst Rohm a threat?

  He was highly respected and had lots of power

  He planned to merge the SA with the army(they didn't like Hitler)
• Who were the SA?

  The brownshirts, the military part of the Nazi party
• What happened on the night?

  Hitler and SS(elite bodyguards), stormed into the hotel where they shot around 30 SA officers and Ernst Rohm
• What did they do to Rohm?

  They offered him to shoot himself, else they would themselves
• What did Hitler do after the night?


  He publicized it very proudly, it displayed power and what would happen to any oppositions
• 2nd August, 1934 


  Hitler becomes Fuhrer
• Army oath

  When joining the army, they must oath and swear allegiance to Hitler rather than the country, giving Hitler absolute control over the army
• Fuhrer

  Hitler merged the roles of Chancellor and President, creating the supreme role of Fuhrer
• Hindenburg dies

  2nd August 1934
• 20th August, 1934


  Army oath
• September 1930 


  Heinrich Bruning was chancellor and Nazi party gained 107seats, being 2nd largest party
• 1930-32

  Clashes of political parties including street fighting and even bomb plots
• Nazis recently grew in popularity after the Munich putsch 


  By Hitlers novel Mein Kamfp

  By becoming a public figure and household name

  By switching methods to more peaceful propaganda

  He became a popular figure, given a short sentence and then released early from prison
• July 1932

  Nazis became largest party with 230seats

  Franz von Papen became chancellor

  Hitler demanded role of Chancellor
• November 1932 


  Kurt von Schleicher became chancellor after Von Papen forcibly resigned

  Nazis were now protesting the Reichstag by walking out of meetings so that Hitler could be Chancellor
• 30th January 1933 


  Hitler becomes chancellor

  Hindenburg and Von Papen hope to control him,(they give him 3 of 12 seats in the Reichstag)