Introduction
In January 1933, Adolf Hitler became Chancellor of Germany.
He led the right-wing Nationalist Socialist German Workers Party (NSDAP or Nazi
Party). It had received 33 per cent of the vote in the Reichstag elections in January.
This, plus the support of the President, Paul von Hindenburg, was sufficient to make
him head of the government, i.e. Chancellor, but did not give him complete control
of Germany.
During the next eighteen months, Hitler eliminated nearly all sources of opposition,
both within the Nazi Party and in Germany.
By August 1934, he had declared himself Führer - the sole leader of Germany.
REISHTAG FIRE
*get info from notes
THE REISHTAG ELECTION (MARCH 1933)
A few days after the fire, in the election on 5 March 1933, 44 per cent of the German people
voted for the Nazis, who won 288 seats in the Reichstag. This was still not the two-thirds
majority Hitler needed, but this did not stop him.
When the Reichstag met on 23 March 1933 Hitler was able to secure the passing of an
important law, the Enabling Act by:
arresting some non-Nazi deputies;
persuading the Nationalist Party to support him;
arranging for the SA to intimidate other parties.
THE ENABLING ACT
On the 23rd of March 1933, the Enabling Act was passed by the Reichstag 441 votes
to 94.
This Act gave Hitler the right to make laws without the Reichstag’s approval for the
next four years.
Arguably this was the most critical event during this period. It gave Hitler absolute
power to make laws, which enabled him to destroy all opposition to his rule.
This Act removed the Reichstag as a source of opposition. The Reichstag rarely met
for the remainder of Hitler’s time in power.
GLEICHSCHALTUNG
Gleichschaltung meant the co-ordination of all aspects of life in Germany to fit in with
Hitler’s ideas and his authority.
Hitler extended his power to key organisations either by taking them over, abolishing them,
or doing a deal with them.
, Trade unions were abolished. On 2 May 1933, their leaders were arrested, their
funds confiscated and strikes declared illegal. Workers lost the right to negotiate
wage increases and improvements in working conditions. All workers had to join
the German Labour Front (DAF), which was run by Dr. Robert Ley. Within two years,
20 million workers had joined DAF.
The Catholic church signed an agreement with Hitler. The Concordat (agreement)
was signed with the Pope in July 1933. It allowed Hitler to increase his power in
Germany without opposition from the Catholic Church, in return for the latter being
allowed to run its schools and youth movement without interference. However,
Hitler did not keep his promise and by 1935 there was friction between the Catholic
Church and the Nazis.
The establishment of the People's Courts. Hitler set up the Nazi People's
Courts where judges had to swear an oath of loyalty to the Nazis.
By August 1934, Hitler was in control of Germany.
He held a plebiscite (referendum) on 19 August 1934. Almost 90 per cent voted that they
approved of Hitler becoming Führer.
THE THREAT FROM ROHM AND THE SA
THE NIGHT OF THE LONG KNIVES
On 3 July 1934, the Reichstag passed a law retrospectively legalising the Night of the Long
Knives.
The Night of the Long Knives was very significant because:
it destroyed all opposition to Hitler within the Nazi Party;
it gave more power to the brutal SS, which became more important than the Nazi
Party in running the dictatorship;
it discouraged potential opponents because they knew they would be dealt with
ruthlessly.
THE DEATH OF VON HINDENBURG
When President Hindenburg died on 2 August, Hitler did not hold an election to replace him.
Instead, he declared himself jointly President, Chancellor and Head of the Army and he
became known as the Führer (leader).
This formally made Hitler the absolute ruler of Germany. He now also had the President’s
power of decree and the ability to call and dismiss the Reichstag when he wanted.
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