Enabling Act, Article 48 and Emergency Decree

Enabling Act, Article 48 and Emergency Decree

1. The Enabling Act 1933

   • In March 1933, the German Reichstag voted in the Enabling Act
     • The Enabling Act was easily passed by 441 votes to 84
     • The Reichstag had, in effect, voted away its power
       • There would be no more elections nor a constitution
   • Hitler proposed the Enabling Act in order to allow him greater time, and to dispense with the electoral system
   • 400 anti-Jewish measures were introduced
   • Jews were banned from many things
     • Teaching
     • receiving a university education
     • Working in the Civil service.

2. Article 48

   • President Hindenburg had to use Article 48 to pass almost every law
   • Hitler became chancellor in January 1933
     • Hitler used Article 48 to make himself absolute ruler

3. Emergency Decree February 1933

   • Arrest and detain people without trial for as long as they wanted
   • Search and confiscate property
   • Read post and listen to telephone calls
   • Censor the press
   • Stop people organising meetings