consolidation of power

• in 1933 Nazi's had 3 seats in cabinet, Hitler could soon be dispensed under Hindenburg
• 27th Febuary the Reichstag fire. Van der Lubbe committed this crime however the Nazi's used this to blame communists.
• Reichstag fire enabeld Hitler to get 'decree for the protection of the people and the state' on 28th Feb which granted emergency powers. Many anti-Nazi's arrested.
• the march elections was used by the SA to intimidate opponents. High turnout of 88% with 44% for Nazi's. Called by Hitler in hope of winning majority. Nazi election slogan was 'the battle against Marxists'
• the enabling act passed on 23rd march if Hitler was able to get 2/3 of Reichstag support (he did). This transferred full power to Hitler and the Nazi's for 4 years (end of democracy) Promise to catholic centre he would respect rights, dismantled weimar constitution.
• 14th July Nazi party became only legal party
• Nazification of society, co-operate under regime 'revolution from below' was the SA
• merge German society with Nazi party
• Hitler needed to secure supremacy over federal states: regional parliaments abolished, reich governers made subordinate to central government.
• trade unions banned 2nd may and leaders arrested; gave Hitler opportunity to set up German labour front (control over workers)
• 22nd June SPD banned and by 14th July Hitler has banned all political parties (many abolished themselves at fear of Nazi's). Made Germany one party state
• 1st MAY declared national holiday before trade unions shut on 2nd
• Hitler did not have control over church, army, big businesses, civil service or education.
• hitler under pressure from SA
• Hitler did not want to antagonise powerful groups and he needed support of powerful, middle class
• the Night of the long knives: SA chief Ernst Rohm wanted to merge SA and army and was very powerful. Army viewed SA as undisciplined and violent. 30th June 1934-1st July leading members of SA shot by SS
• in night of the long knives 200 killed e.g., Rohm, Schleicher, leader of socialist radical party Strasser. army took oath of loyalty to Hitler and SS (had been wing of SA) became independent organisation. Secured power
• Potsdam day was the unity between protestant church and state on 21st march 1933
• potsdam day= Goebells ordered opening of Reichstag, allighned Nazi's to old Germanym communists refused attendance to Kroll opera house. Hitler used SA to intimidate people.
• Hitler needed 2/3 for enabling act and got 444 to 94
• Hindenburg died 2nd August 1934, merged role of president and chancellor= Furher