How did Hitler become the dictator of Germany 1933-34

How did Hitler become the dictator of Germany 1933-34

1. The Reichstag Fire February 1933

   • The Nazis did not have a majority in the Reichstag when Hitler became Chancellor
     • A decree was passed in February 1933 to ensure free and peaceful elections
       • Gave the Nazis the power to intimidate and bully their political opponents
         • 27th February, the Reichstag was burned down
           • The communist Van der Lubbe was caught at the scene
             • Hitler declared that the communists were attacking Germany
               • Emergency powers were granted that were used to attack the communist party

2. The Enabling Act March 1933

   • Elections were held in the aftermath of the Reichstag Fire
     • The SA was used to intimidate opponents and voters
       • The Nazis won the mot seats BUT did not have a 2/3rds majority
         • This was needed to change the constitution
           • Hitler used the emergency powers as a result of the Reichstag Fire to ban the communists
             • This enabled the Nazis to pass the Enabling Act in March 1933
               • This gave the Nazis the power to pass laws without approval from the Reichstag
                 • These laws could deviate from the constitution

3. Gleichschaltung 1933

   • Control of State Parliaments
     • All state parliaments were closed down in March 1933
       • State governors were appointed by the Nazis
         • They had the power to control each part of Germany
   • Control of Trade Unions
     • Potential opponents and close allies of the communists
       • May 1933 - many Trade union officials were arrested
         • All unions were merged into the German Labour Front
   • Control of other political parties
     • Hitler wanted a one-party state
       • May 1933 - they attacked the Social Democrats and the Communists
         • They destroyed their newspapers and confiscated their funds
           • June 1933 - a law was passed stating that only the Nazi party was allowed to exist

4. The Night of the Long Knives 1934

   • Rohm and the SA were potential rivals to Hitler
     • By 1934 it had 2 million members
       • Rohm was an embarrassment to the Nazis
         • Homosexual and an alcoholic
     • Rohm wanted to merge the SA with the army
       • He was arguing for more socialist policies
         • Himmler and Goering said Hitler needed to act against Rohm
           • A meeting was organised for 30th June 1934
             • The SS was used to arrest and execute over 100 leaders of the SA
               • Rohm was executed
                 • The result was the SA was now firmly under the control of Hitler
                   • The SS was a distinct organisation, becoming more powerful
               • Other potential opponents such as Von Schleicher and Strasser were executed

5. Hitler becomes Der Fuhrer

   • President Hindenburg died in August 1934
     • He was the last remaining obstacle to complete power for Hitker
       • Hitler combined the role of Chancellor and President - Der Fuhrer
         • The army swore an oath allegiance to Hitler (not Germany)