The Enabling Act, March 1933

• After the election, Hitler wanted to make his temporary emergency powers permanent so requested an Enabling Act in March 1933.
• This law would overturn the Weimar constitution and allow Hitler and his cabinet to make laws without the consent of the Reichstag, initially for four years
• As this law would change the constitution a two third majority was required to pass it. Hitler was able to convince the Catholic Centre Party to support it, and he placed the SA in the Reichstag Chamber to intimidate other deputies into supporting it
• On 24 March 1933 the Act was passed by 444 votes to 94, ending the Weimar constitution.