Hitler Becoming Fuhrer

Hitler Becoming Fuhrer

1. Reichstag Fire

   • 27 February 1933
   • Blamed on Van der Lubbe, a Dutch Communist
   • Resulted in the Reichstag Fire Decree
     • Emergency powers granted by Hindenburg
     • Freedoms of speech, press and liberty were removed
       • Gestapo could search houses, break up meeting and they seized state radio
     • Lasted for 12 years
   • 4000 people were arrested

2. Enabling Act

   • Pass laws without consulting the Reichstag
     • All Communists and Jews fired from government jobs on 7 April
     • Trade unions banned 2 May
     • Political parties banned 14 July
   • Hitler needed 2/3 of votes to pass
     • The Nationalists (DNVP) backed Hitler
     • The Communists had been banned after the Reichstag Fire
     • The Socialists were intimidated by the SA as they voted but it failed
     • The Centre Party was given a deal where the rights of the churches would be respected
     • For: 444 Against: 94 (SPD)
   • 24 March 1933

3. Death of Hindenburg

   • Hitler took over as Fuhrer
   • The army swore the Hitler Oath giving total loyalty to Hitler
   • Chancellorship merged with presidency
   • 2 August 1933

4. Night of the Long Knives

   • Hitler suspected Rohm, leader of the SA, was plotting against him
   • Reasons to support the army
     • Only they could remove Hitler
     • Well trained and organised
     • Had support of conservatives and businesses
   • Reasons to support SA
     • Had more men that the army 2.5 million vs 100,000
     • Committed Nazis
     • Fought at the Munich Putch, 1923
   • 29-30 June 1934
   • 77 people executed
     • Rohm was shot
     • Von Schleicher
     • Gregor Strasser
   • SA absorbed into the army