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From Democracy to Dictatorship
Key Learning Question
How did Hitler consolidate his power?
Hitler Comes to Power
Since the Munich Putsch in 1923, Hitler had awaited patiently to avoid using force again to seize power.
He reorganized the Nazi Party and pursued legal and democratic routes to power.
In 1933, after ten years on the fringe of German politics, he was appointed Chancellor on January 30, 1933.
This position is roughly equivalent to that of Prime Minister in Australia.
Why Did Hitler Become Chancellor?
The straightforward answer is that Hindenburg appointed him.
This answer raises further questions:
Why did Hindenburg choose Hitler over more popular leaders?
What were Hindenburg's own intentions and beliefs?
Why did this appointment happen at that specific time?
Germany 1930-33
To understand Weimar Germany between 1930-33, three developments must be considered:
The parliamentary government broke down.
President Hindenburg ruled by decree, appointing and dismissing Chancellors at will.
The Nazi Party gained increasing popularity with voters.
Although not a majority, their influence was significant.
Elite groups in society (e.g., army leaders, big business, civil service, large landowners) believed that their interests were best served by a strong authoritarian government rather than weak coalitions.
During the 1930s, especially as the Great Depression deepened, these groups had greater political influence than before.
What Were Hitler's Intentions?
Following the failed Munich Putsch of 1923, Hitler aimed to acquire power through democratic means.
His goal was to become Chancellor, as this position would enable him to implement his policies and ideologies across Germany rather than just regionally.
What Were Hindenburg's Intentions in Appointing Hitler?
Evidence suggests that Hindenburg was hesitant and reluctant to appoint Hitler as Chancellor.
Hindenburg previously refused to appoint him in August and November 1923.
Under political pressure, Hindenburg agreed in January 1933, but insisted that Hitler be limited to a minority of Nazi members in the cabinet (3 out of 12) to keep him in check.
How Did Hindenburg's Beliefs and Ideals Shape His Actions?
During WWI, Hindenburg served as Supreme Head of the German Armed Forces.
Elected Reich President in 1925, he held a disdain for democracy, viewing it as weak.
He exploited the weaknesses of the Weimar Constitution to consolidate power and prestige in the presidential role.
Hindenburg's objectives included rewriting the constitution to enhance authoritarian governance.
He also blocked attempts to restrict Article 48, which allowed for emergency decrees.
A Succession of Chancellors
Key Chancellors of the Weimar Republic leading to Hitler's rise:
Heinrich Bruning: Chancellor from March 1930 to May 1932.
Franz Von Papen: Chancellor from May to November 1932.
Kurt Von Schleicher: Chancellor from December 1932 to January 1933.
President Hindenburg famously remarked in January 1933, "You cannot for one moment, gentlemen, imagine that I intend to appoint that Austrian Corporal Reich Chancellor."
The Path to Dictatorship (1933)
Timeline of key events leading to Hitler's consolidation of power:
January 30: Hindenburg appoints Hitler as Chancellor.
February 27: The Reichstag Fire occurs.
February 28: The Reichstag Fire Decree is enacted.
March 5: Elections held; Nazis acquire 43.9% of the vote, Nationalist coalition members gain 8%.
March 20: Hitler establishes the first concentration camp at Dachau.
May 2: Trade unions are dissolved.
June 22: The Social Democratic Party (SPD) is banned; other parties dissolve in subsequent weeks.
July 14: Legislation is passed prohibiting political parties other than the Nazi Party.
November 12: Another election occurs; Nazis win 92.2% of the vote.
June 30, 1934: Night of the Long Knives; Hitler purges the SA (Sturmabteilung). The Night of the Long Knives, which took place from June 30 to July 2, 1934, was a significant event where Adolf Hitler ordered a series of political extrajudicial executions designed to consolidate his power. Key details include: - **Background**: The SA (Sturmabteilung), led by Ernst Röhm, had been instrumental in Hitler's rise to power but grew increasingly powerful and unpopular with the conservative German military and leaders. Röhm's ambitions for the SA to take on a more prominent role within the German military posed a threat to the regular army (Reichswehr) and feared that their influence undermined Nazi authority. - **Objectives of the Purge**: Hitler aimed to solidify his control by eliminating rivals within the Nazi Party, particularly those who were part of the SA. This included not only Ernst Röhm but also other leaders who were seen as potential threats to his leadership. Hitler sought to reassure the German army and conservative elites, who were wary of the SA's radicalism. - **Execution of the Purge**: The purge began early on June 30, 1934, when SS (Schutzstaffel) units, under Heinrich Himmler’s command, and police arrested SA leaders and other perceived enemies of Hitler. Röhm was executed, along with hundreds of SA members, as well as political opponents, some of whom were not directly linked to the SA, including former Chancellor Kurt von Schleicher. - **Aftermath**: This action resulted in a significant reduction in the power of the SA and established the SS as the primary force in Nazi Germany. It allowed Hitler to gain the loyalty of the German army, which swore an oath of allegiance to him personally, fortifying his grip on power. Following the purge, Hitler was effectively in control, leading to a more militaristic and authoritarian regime. - **Public Reaction and Justification**: The Nazi regime portrayed the purge as a necessary action to protect Germany from a supposed coup by the SA. This narrative was supported by propaganda and largely accepted by the public, further securing Hitler's position.
August 2: President Hindenburg dies; the offices of President and Chancellor are merged into one role known as "Fuhrer."
Hindenburg's death marked a significant turning point in German history, as it allowed Hitler to consolidate his power further by eliminating the last checks on his authority.
Following Hindenburg's passing, Hitler swiftly moved to abolish the presidency, merging its powers with that of the Chancellor, thus creating the position of "Fuhrer."
This move effectively established a totalitarian regime, granting Hitler unprecedented control over the German state, military, and society.
In a bid to secure his position, Hitler demanded that the German army swear an oath of loyalty directly to him, solidifying his grip on the military, which had previously been a significant independent power in Germany.
The change in leadership and the merging of powers were facilitated by a campaign of propaganda that portrayed Hitler as Germany's savior, fostering a cult of personality around him.
The combination of Hindenburg's death and the subsequent declarations created a political landscape where dissent was increasingly stifled, enabling Hitler to dismantle democratic structures and promote his expansionist and militaristic ideologies unabated.
The army swears an oath of loyalty to Hitler.
Textbook Reference
Reference: Textbook Pages 156 to 161.
Hitler's Triumph: Historical Interpretations
Further understanding of Hitler's strategies and consolidations can be researched through various historical interpretations.