March Elections Flashcards
(10 cards)
When were the March 1933 elections held?
5th March 1933.
Why were the March 1933 elections significant?
They were the last multiparty elections in Nazi Germany and used by Hitler to try to gain a parliamentary majority.
What major event occurred shortly before the elections?
The Reichstag Fire on 27th February 1933.
How did the Nazis use the Reichstag Fire to their advantage?
Blamed on a communist (Marinus van der Lubbe), it was used to justify the Reichstag Fire Decree, which suspended civil liberties.
What did the Reichstag Fire Decree allow?
Arrest without trial, censorship, and banning of political meetings and opposition newspapers.
What role did the SA play during the election campaign?
Intimidated political opponents, disrupted opposition meetings, and helped create an atmosphere of fear.
How many seats did the Nazi Party win in the March 1933 elections?
288 seats (43.9% of the vote).
Did Hitler achieve an outright majority in the Reichstag?
No, but with DNVP support (52 seats), he gained a working majority.
What was the purpose of gaining a majority in the Reichstag for Hitler?
To pass the Enabling Act, which would allow him to rule by decree.
What happened shortly after the March elections?
On 23rd March 1933, the Enabling Act was passed, giving Hitler dictatorial powers.
