DEPRESSION TO DICTATORSHIP DATES

1929

Wall Street Crashing causing unemployment in Germany

March 1930

Chancellor Hermann Muller resigned after being unable to tackle the rise in spending caused by unemployment

July 1930

Heinrich Bruning cut government spending - added to the spiral of decline

1930

Hindenburg used Article 48 to govern Germany

1930-1933

Support grew for extremist parties such as Nazis (right wing) and Communists (extreme left wing)

27th February 1933

Reichstag Fire - allowed Hitler to call another election and whip up public fear against the supposed communist threat

5th March 1933

Election just six days after the fires, Hitler was determined to secure more seats for the Nazis (won 288 seats but banned the communists to secure an extra 81 votes + majority)

23rd March 1933

Hitler passed the Enabling Act allowing him to act without the Reichstag for 4 years (extended in 1937)

26th April 1933

Nazi Officials were put in charge of local governments

2nd May 1933

Trade Unions were closed, money confiscated and leaders placed in prison. Hitler established the German Labour Front (DAF) as a replacement.

14th July 1933

Hitler banned other political parties and declared the Nazi Party as the only political Party

30th June 1934

Night of Long Knives (deaths of SA members and Ernst Rohm (removed opposition))

1st August 1934

Hitler forced Hindenburg to agree to let him become Fuhrer and Reich Chancellor after his death

2nd August 1934

Hindenburg dies + Hitler has the army swear personal loyalty to him and not Germany