Nazi Consolidation of Power, 1933-34

Nazi Consolidation of Power, 1933-34

1. Ways of consolidating power:

   • March 1922 election: 288 seats (43.9% - no majority). Communists banned.
   • The Nazis then had control of government resources to assist in their election campaign (e.g. control of police, radio) and also could use direct intimidation during election.
   • Reichstag Fire (27 Feb 1933): Communists blamed, meetings disrupted and 4,000 of them arrested (arson was Van Der Lubbe). Allowed Hitler to use emergency powers (granted by Hindenburg) to arrest and hold people indefinitely without trial (SA used as police), also allowed them to call the March elections and led to Enabling Act.
   • Enabling act, March 1933: passed by 444 votes to 94 (SPD – socialists – opposed it, while the Catholic Centre Party favoured it as the Nazis allowed them to keep their schools in return). It was the legal basis for dictatorial power to the Nazis (chancellor could pass any law without Reichstag).
     • The ‘Nazi Revolution’: Establishment of Nazi influence in all branches of government. Civil service, courts had Jews and other opponents sacked. Trade Unions restricted then banned (May 1933). Establishment of One-Party State (July 1933 – Nazi only legal party in Germany). All state government structures brought under Nazi control (Jan 1934)

2. Formation of government under Chancellor Hitler (30 Jan 1933). Torch-light parades by SA. Belief among right-wing politicians that Hitler lacked political ability and could be controlled (Von Papen). Nazi numbers in Reichstag could be used to govern more effectively but Hitler was not prepared to do this and worked to establish a Nazi dictatorship. New Reichstag elections called for 5 March (Hitler hoped to win majority)

3. Death of President Hindenburg (August 1934): Hitler now declared as ‘Der Fuhrer’. Confirmed in a public vote (plebiscite). The army and judges now had to swear an oath of loyalty to Hitler as Head of State (both Chancellor and President combined)

4. Night of the Long Knives (29-30 June): Arrest and execution (by the SS) of the more radical influences in Nazi Party, largely those under Ernst Rohm (leader of the SA’s 4m men, had great control and could overthrow Hitler), and also Von Schleicher (former Chancellor – fierce critic of Hitler). To secure Hitler’s unchallenged position as head of party, to remove ‘thuggish’ element of the SA now Hitler needed to present more respectable front once in power, to appeal to army commanders (no longer second to SA, many members of which were absorbed into army)