Consolidation of Power Knowledge Flashcards
Events of the Reichstag Fire
- destroyed debating chambers and guilding domes
- blamed the communists for the fire - Marinus Van der Lubbe
- Reichstag Fire Decree - right to assembly, freedom of speech, freedom of the press
- Enabling Act - legislative power, bypass the parliament
Reichstag Fire
Key events
- On the night of the 27th February, the Reichstag building burst into flames
- A dutch communist, called Van der Lubbe, was found in the building so the Nazis blamed the Communists for the fire
- Hindenburg declared a state of emergency using Article 48, allowing for the Nazis to gain more control over the people of Germany
- Nazis banned the Communist party and imprisoned many leaders leaving many oppoition parties without leaders
- In the elction of 5th March 1933, the Nazis increased their share of the vote from 33% to 44%
Reichstag Fire Decree
What happened to the Communist Party?
The Communist Party (KPD) was banned
Reichstag Fire Decree
What happened with arrests?
Anyone could now be arrested without any reason needing to be given
Reichstag Fire Decree
What happened with private communication?
Private communication could be listened to or read
Reichstag Fire Decree
What happened to anti-nazi newspapers?
Anti-nazi newspapers were put out of business
Reichstag Fire Decree
What happened with newspapers and radios?
Newspapers and radios could now be censored
Night of the Long Knives
Key events
- On the 11th April 1934, Hitler struck a deal with General von Blomberg to completely destroy the SA, allowing for the SS to take over and to remove his competition from within the party
- In June 1934, Hitler created a list of unwanted members he wanted to be assassinated by secret police forces and Hitler’s loyal party members, such as Ernst Rohm as he was afraid he would become more powerful than him.
- On the 30th June 1934, Hitler ordered the SA to be arrested and shot over 85 of his felow untrustworthy party members
- On July 2nd 1934, the SA was completely destroyed which helped the SS, who were completely loyal to Hitler, gain power
Night of the Long Knives
What happened with the SS and the army?
Alongside the SS, the army had swore an oath of loyalty directly to Hitler, showing their support for his leadership
Night of the Long Knives
What did the President do?
Hitler received a letter from the President, thanking him for his actions towards the secret assassination of the SA and the other party members, presenting Hitler as the saviour of this event.
Impact of the Night of the Long Knives
What happened to troublesome Nazi members?
Potentially troublesome Nazis such as Gregor Strasser were removed completely from the party
Impact of the Night of the Long Knives
How was Hitler portrayed?
Hitler was portrayed by the Nazi-controlled media as having saved Germany from a revolution led by the SA
SS
Who was the leader?
Himmler
SS
What was their methods?
They would send any enemies of the Nazis to camps
- the SS controlled the first concentration camp in Dachau that opened in 1933
- they were in charge of all the police and security forces in Germany and they had unlimited power to do whatever they wanted to get rid of any threats to Germany
SS
How many members were in the SS?
When the Nazis managed to rise to power in January 1933, the SS numbered more than 52,000
