Establishment of Nazi Dictatorship (1933-1934)

Establishment of Dictatorship (1933-34)

• Initial Position of Hitler:

  • Chancellor as of January 1933, but subject to the Weimar political system.

  • Otto von Papen believed he could manage Hitler.

  • By August 1934, Hitler consolidated power, becoming Führer with no competing officials.

• Methods Used:

  • Combination of persuasion, intimidation, and quick action.

  • Learned from Munich Putsch's failure, emphasized legality in taking control.

Legal Framework of Hitler's Dictatorship

• Weimar Constitution Vulnerabilities:

  • Hitler exploited weaknesses in the constitution.

  • Nazis held one-third of the Reichstag seats, no majority.

  • Hindenburg retained presidential powers, wary of Hitler's ambitions.

• Reichstag Fire (27 February 1933):

  • Deliberately burned down.

  • Dutch communist Marinus van de Lubbe arrested, possible scapegoat.

• Consequences of the Fire:

  • Boosted Nazi credibility for apprehending the arsonist.

  • Escalated anti-communist propaganda.

  • Financial contributions from industrialists, fearing communism.

  • Hindenburg declared a state of emergency, granting Hitler substantial police control.

  • Hitler's "Decree for the Protection of the People and State" restricted civil rights, facilitating arrests of opponents and media censorship.

March 1933 Elections

• Election on 5 March 1933:

  • Nazis secured 17.5 million votes (288 seats), aided by arrests of political opponents and violent campaign tactics.

  • Collaboration with DNVP (52 seats) established a majority despite communist absence.

Passage of the Enabling Act

• Potsdam Garrison Ceremony (21 March 1933):

  • Hitler showcases unity with old government, Nazi legitimacy reinforced.

• Enabling Act (24 March 1933):

  • Passed by 444 to 84; only SPD opposed.

  • Allowed Hitler to legislate without Reichstag, a significant shift from the Weimar Constitution.

• Consolidation of Power:

  • Methodical removal of all political parties by July 14, 1933, creating a one-party state.

Night of the Long Knives (30 June 1934)

• Röhm and SA Purge:

  • Ernst Röhm and senior SA arrested; feared as threats to Hitler’s authority.

  • SS executed hundreds, including political adversaries, underscoring Hitler's ruthlessness.

• Public Reaction:

  • Many viewed SA's suppression positively due to their previous brutality.

Nature of Nazi Government (1934-39)

• One-Party State Structure:

  • Reichstag remained but legislative activity was minimal (only 7 laws passed from 1934-1945).

• Government Bureaucracy:

  • Existing civil service purged of Jews and opponents; many loyalists retained.

  • Vague power structures created competition and confusion among ministries, highlighting Nazi control complexity.

Key Nazi Principles and Leadership

• Leadership Principle (Führerprinzip):

  • Centralized power structure; ultimate authority vested in Hitler.

  • Emphasis on hierarchy and responsibility at all levels, discouraging independent decision-making.

• Volksgemeinschaft Concept:

  • Promoted national unity and collective good over individual interests, demanding obedience and sacrifice from citizens.

Key Figures in Nazi Government

• Joseph Goebbels (1897-1945):

  • Early supporter of Hitler; became Minister of Propaganda.

  • Formulated communication strategies that shaped public perception of Nazi policies.

• SS and Gestapo Roles:

  • SS evolved from elite guard to extensive political police, enforcing Nazi ideology and committing atrocities in Europe.

  • Gestapo operated with impunity, arresting and imprisoning citizens without trial.

Exam Preparation: Potential Questions

• Assess how accurately Hitler's rise to dictatorship can be deemed legal. Considerations should include:

  • The legitimacy of the Enabling Act.

  • Public perception following the Reichstag fire.

  • The roles of emergency decrees and subsequent elections in consolidating power.