Hitlers consolidation of power Flashcards
what was the enabling act?
The proposed enabling act would remove limitations to Hitler power. The act would end parliamentary procedure and legislation and give full power to the chancellor and his government for four years.
What did the enabling act mean?
It did mean that Hitler dictatorship would be based on legality.
what were the challenges facing Hitler?
The election result would mean that hitler would need either the absentention or support of other parties. However at a local level he did also face the challenge of Nazi members were taking the law into their own hands and Hitler found it difficult to contain what has been called a ‘ revolution from below’.
Why was a revolution from below a major concern for Hitler?
-It threatened to destroy his image of acting legally
-It angered the conservative groups and coalition partners who supported him
How was Hitler able to overcome all fears?
-The day of Potsdam it was when the Reichstag was opened in the presence of hideburg, the kaiser son and the army leading general. Such an act did align Hitler clearly with the forces of the old conservative Germany rather than the radical elements of his party.
How was the Enabling act important and when did it pass?
-It passed on 23 march 1933.
-It did provide the basis of Hitler authority in the creation of his dictatorship.
How was Hitler able to get the Enabling Act passed?
-Absence of intimated communist members of the Reichstag did mean that Hitler would be able to get the two thirds majority that he needed to change the constition.
-He would be able to end parliamentary democracy and transfer full powers to himself and his government for four years.
what did the social democrats vote in the passing of the Enabling act?
It was passed by 444 to 94 votes. Only the social democrats did oppose it.
How was the result achieved in the Enabling Act?
The result was achieved only because of the promises made to the catholic centre party that he would respect the rights of the Catholic Church and uphold religious and moral values.
What is the creation of the nazi state described as?
It is often described as gleichschaltung or co ordination and does often refer to the Nazification of German society and the establishment of the dictatorship in the years 1933-4
How was co ordination put into practise?
-It was put into practise by at local level a ‘revolution from below’ by the freedom given to the SA and at national level by the Nazi leadership- ‘ The revolution from above’.
What was the idea of coordination?
The idea was to merge German society with Nazi intuitions and associations. It would allow the Nazi party to control all aspect of social, cultural and educational activity.
-The first concern of the Nazi party was to establish and secure its political supremacy over the federal, states, trade unions and other political parties.
How was power consolidated in the federal states?
-Germany did have a strong regional traditions which were a direct challenge to the Nazi belief in a centralised state. The process had already started with violence and intimidation.
-The process started at local level with party organisations aimed to dominate the states and there were outbreaks of violence as they attacked rivals.
How was power consolidated in federal states and what did it result in?
-They did create widespread disorder with party leaders conscious of the need to avoid being seen as revolutionary by the army struggled to control.
What control was put over federal states and how was power consolidated?
-Regional parliaments were dissolved on 31 march 1933 and replaced by Nazi dominated state governments.
-Reich governors who were usually local party Gaultier’s were created.
