Establishing a dictatorship, 1933-34 Flashcards
When did Hitler become Führer?
By August 19th 1934, Hitler was in complete control of the German political system, with no chancellor or president- just Hitler leading as Führer ( leader/ someone who had ultimate power)
Which party were in a strong position with only one-third of Reichstag seats?
The Nazis were the largest single party
How did Hitler take advantage of the dramatic events of 27th February?
On 27 Feb, the Reichstag was deliberately burned down by a young Dutch communist, Marinus van de Lubbe was caught by the Nazis supposedly carrying evidence that he had set the fire. It is possible that he done this, but also could’ve been done by the Nazis and wanted to frame de Lubbe.
What are the benefits that the fire created for the Nazis?
- The Nazis got the credit for catching the arsonist ( someone who deliberately sets fire to a place)
- The Nazis were able to stir up anti-communist propganda
- The Nazis gained political aswell as financial support ; German industrialists contributed generously to Nazi funds as they feared communism rising.
What does it mean by the term to “declare a state of emergency”?
This meant that Hindenburg gave Hitler control of the police and the power to govern Germany by decree without the Reichstag’s involvement in decisions.
Who won the 5th March election?
The Nazis 17.5 million votes won them 288 seats in the reichstag
How did Hitler use emergency powers to get rid of opponents?
Hitler’s use of emergency powers led him to arrest opponents and banned 81 communists from taking their seats aswell as the support of the DNVP increased their seats in the Reichstag.
When and who opened the Reichstag?
Hitler and Hindenburg opened the Reichstag together on 21 March 1933 in a ceremony at the Potsdam Garrison Church
What was the enabling act?
On 24 March, the Reichstag passed the Law for the removal of the Distress of the People and Reich (the Enabling Act) by 444 votes to 84 (all of the SPD voted against it)
What did the enabling act allow Hitler to do?
The enabling act allowed Hitler to pass laws without the Reichstag.
What happened on 14 July 1933?
On 14 July 1933 a law banned all remaining parties and made the country a one-party state
What happened in the Night of the Long Knives?
The Night of the Long Knives was an illegal, ruthless elimination of opponents. Ernest Röhm and the SA helped Hitler to power, but the SA had always been seen as thugs and gave a bad image for the Nazis. Hitler didn’t trust the SA anymore and he feared that Röhm would try to seize power. On 30 June 1934, Röhm and other SA members were arrested and shot the next day by the Hitler’s new army the SS. Over the next few days several hundreds were were murdered by the SS.
Who were the Schutzstaffel?
The Schutzstaffel (SS) known as the protective squad begin in 1925 as Hitler’s black-shirted elite bodyguard
Who were the Gestapo?
The Gestapo were the Nazi secret police who were allowed to arrest and imprison people without trial
Who were the Sturmabteilung?
The Sturmabteilung also known as the “stormtroopers” this was Nazis private army. Members were also called “ Brownshirts” due to their uniform.
