Hitler's consolidation of power

What was the case despite Hitler being appointed chancellor?

His power was far from absolute.

But over the next 18 months, he transformed his position into that of a totalitarian dictator,

What kind of methods did Hitler use to create his dictatorship?

Hitler created a dictatorship using legal methods.

What happened on the 27 February 1933?

The Reichstag Fire.

What was the Reichstag Fire?

The parliament building in Berlin was burnt down and the communists were blamed and banned.

The fire was used to justify measures against the communists.

What happened on 28 February 1933?

Decree for the Protection of the People and the State.

What was the Decree for the Protection of the People and the State?

As a result of the fire, Hitler was granted emergency powers.

Political and civil liberties were suspended and many anti-Nazis were arrested.

What happened on the 5 March 1933?

Election.

What happened in the 5 March 1933 election?

Hitler called fresh elections to the Reichstag in the hope of winning an overall majority.

Nazi vote increased to 43.9%. Nationalist support was still needed.

What happened on the 23 March 1933?

Enabling Act.

What was the Enabling Act?

With many members absent and others intimidated, the Reichstag voted for the Enabling Act by the necessary 2 thirds majority to give Hitler power and therefore end democracy.

Parliamentary procedure and legislation came to an end. Full power was transferred to the chancellor and government. A dictatorship based on legality was created.

What happened on the 14 July 1933?

The Nazi Party became the only legal party.

How did the Nazi Party become the only legal party?

Hitler used his powers to ban other political parties.

Germany became a one-party state.

What was Gleichschaltung?

The Nazification of society, ensuring co-operation with the regime.

How was Gleichschaltung put into place?

It was put into practice at a local level - ‘revolution from below’ - by the SA, and at a national level - ‘revolution from above’ - from Berlin.

What was the idea of Gleichschaltung?

The idea was to merge German society with Nazi Party institutions and associations, with the aim of allowing Nazis to control cultural, social and educational activity.

What was the first concern of Gleichschaltung?

However, the first concern was political.

What happened during co-ordination of Federal states?

Regional parliaments were dissolved and then abolished.

Reich governors were created.

Federal government and governors were subordinated to central government.

What happened due to co-ordination of Political parties?

• Communists banned after Reichstag Fire.

• Social Democratic Party was banned and its assets seized.

• Most parties agreed to dissolve themselves.

• Nazis became the only legal party.

What happened during co-ordination of trade unions?

• Union premises were occupied, funds were seized and leaders were sent to concentration camps.

• Independent unions were banned and replaced by the German Labour Front (DAF).

How successful was Gleichschaltung?

In some areas, the Nazis did have control.

However, they did not control the Church, army or big business, and had only partial control of the civil service and education.

How much power did Hitler have?

Hitler’s power was limited because he did not want to lose the support of important groups.

However, he was under pressure from the SA to implement further changes.

What did Hitler have to deal with in his party?

Hitler had to deal with opposition within his own party.

Who was the SA chief?

Ernst Rohm.

What did Ernst Rohm want?

SA Chief wanted to merge the army and the SA.

Army chiefs refused, due to the SA’s indiscipline.

What did Hitler choose to do after Rohm tried to merge with the army?

Hitler chose to execute Rohm and the SA leaders on the ‘Night of the Long Knives’ in June 1934.

What were the consequences of the execution of SA leaders?

• It removed the SA and won support of the conservative right. Army took an oath of personal loyalty to Hitler.

• The SS (Schutzstaffel - Hitler’s personal guard), which had been a wing of the SA, emerged as an independent organisation.

• Hitler secured his dictatorship; he had been allowed to get away with the legal murder of opponents.

When was Hitler’s dominance confirmed?

Hitler’s dominance was confirmed when Hindenburg died in August 1934 and Hitler merged into the roles of chancellor and president into that of Fuhrer.