Nazi Dictatorship Flashcards

Flashcards reviewing the creation of the Nazi Dictatorship and Hitler's consolidation of power.

What were Hitler's intentions regarding power after becoming Chancellor?

To establish a dictatorship.

What was a major limitation of Hitler's new government upon becoming Chancellor?

The new government was in a coalition and therefore weak.

What was required for Hitler to implement his political program fully?

He needed a majority, ideally a 2/3 majority, to change the constitution and silence the opposition.

When were the Reichstag elections announced after Hitler's appointment as Chancellor?

March 1933.

Why did Hitler persuade Hindenburg to dissolve the Reichstag and hold new elections?

To gain a 2/3 majority to change the constitution.

Who was arrested and charged with setting fire to the Reichstag?

Marinus van der Lubbe, a Dutch communist.

How did the Nazis exploit the Reichstag fire?

To show the danger of the communist threat.

How many communist party members were arrested and sent to concentration camps after the Reichstag fire?

Approximately 4000.

What did the Decree for the Protection of the People and the State do?

It suspended civil freedoms (speech, media, assembly) and gave the secret police power to hold people indefinitely.

Besides suspending civil freedoms, what else did the Decree for the Protection of the People and the State enable the Nazis to do?

It allowed Nazis to take control of the Lander (states) and appoint Nazi police chiefs.

What was the voter turnout in the March 1933 elections?

88.8%.

What percentage of votes did the Nazis attain in the March 1933 elections?

43.9%.

How many seats in the Reichstag did the Nazis win in the March 1933 election?

The Nazis only won 288 out of 647 seats.

What did Hitler need a 2/3 majority in the Reichstag to do?

Destroy the constitution.

Which party's support did the Nazis need to pass legislation after the Communists were jailed?

The Catholic Centre Party.

What position was Goebbels appointed to?

Head of the new ‘Ministry for Public Enlightenment + Propaganda’.

Who was the chairman of the Centre Party that Hitler negotiated with?

Ludwig Kaas, a Catholic priest.

What did Kaas agree to support the Enabling Act in exchange for?

Assurances of the Centre Party’s continued existence, protection of Catholic liberties, religious schools, and retention of civil servants.

How was the image of legality conveyed on the 21st March, Potsdam Day?

By President Hindenburg at the state opening of the Reichstag.

What was the official title of the Enabling Act?

The ‘Law for Terminating the Suffering of the People + the Nation.’

What was the significance of passing the Enabling Act?

It would mean the end of democracy in Germany and establish Hitler's legal dictatorship.

What was the vote count for the passage of the Enabling Act?

444 votes to 94.

Which political party voted against the Enabling Act?

The SPD (Social Democratic Party).

What did the Enabling Act do?

It gave the government emergency powers for 4 years and enabled the cabinet to pass decrees without the President’s involvement.

What did the historian Bracher call the Enabling Act?

A ‘legal revolution’.

What does Gleichschaltung/Co-ordination mean?

Bringing into line with Nazi ideology.

What was Hitler's aim with Gleichschaltung?

To ensure that the government had control of all key aspects of society.

Gleichschaltung saw the destruction of Weimar's remaining hallmarks of what?

Of an open, liberal, and pluralist society.

What was Gleichschaltung an attempt to do?

Nazify life in Germany or ‘honeycombing’ of German society.

What had the Nazis already done in February-March 1933 regarding regional state governments?

They had already infiltrated regional state governments.

What did the law of 31st March 1933 do regarding regional parliaments?

Dissolved regional (lander) parliaments + reformed them with ‘acceptable majorities.’

What did the law of 7 April 1933 do?

Created Reich Governors (Gauleiters) with full powers.

What happened to regional parliaments in January 1934?

Regional parliaments were abolished.

When did the one-day boycott of Jewish shops occur?

1st April 1933.

What law of April 7th 1933 led to all institutions being purged of ‘alien elements’?

Law for restoration of Professional Civil service.

What were all German unions incorporated into on 2nd May 1933?

The German Labour Front (DAF).

Who led the German Labour Front (DAF)?

Dr. Robert Ley.

What law of 14th July 1933 made Germany a one-party state?

Law against the formation of new parties.

Which party dissolved themselves on 5th July 1933?

The Catholic Centre Party.

How was the removal of political opponents created?

Through intimidation + violence ‘from below’ by the SA + ‘terror’ from above as the Nazis had control of the state.

By the end of 1933, what was the status of the process of Gleichschaltung?

The process of Gleichschaltung was well advanced in many areas of public life, although far from complete.

How was potential opposition from the Centre Party + Roman Catholic Church overcome?

The 20th July 1933 Concordat agreed between the state + Vatican.

What did the Concordat between the state and the Vatican do?

The Concordat banned the Church from political activity + in return the govt would protect religious freedom.

Which law dissolved state assemblies with Reich Governors taking over (gauleiters)?

January 1934 Law for Reconstruction of the State.

What group was proving a potential threat, leading to its demise in the Night of Long Knives?

SA were proving a potential threat – 2.5 million members, led by Ernst Rohm.