Rise of the Dictatorship Flashcards
(8 cards)
The Reichstag Fire
On the 27th February 1933, the Reichstag was burned down.
The Nazis blamed a Dutch communist called Marinus van der Lubbe.
This allowed Hitler to pass an Emergency Decree, which suspended the Weimar constitution.
Thousands of communists were arrested after the Reichstag Fire.
German election day was on the 5th of March 1933, 1 week after the Reichstag Fire and the arrest of thousands of communists. Fear of communist uprising had never been higher.
The 1933 German Election
The Nazi Party won 43.9% in the 1933 election. The DNVP won 7.9% of the votes.
In the Weimar system of Proportional Representation, a coalition of parties needed over 50% to rule.
The Nazi-DNVP coalition had 51.9%.
The Enabling Act
On the 23rd of March 1933, Hitler proposed the Enabling Act.
This meant that Hitler could make laws without the Reichstag.
The Reichstag (parliament) supported the Enabling Act by 444 votes to 94, with Hitler’s SA threatening opposition MPs and politicians fearful of voting against a majority government and ‘the people’s will’.
After the Enabling Act, the Reichstag (parliament) could no longer stop Hitler.
Germany was no longer a democracy.
Single party state in Nazi Germany
Single party state in Nazi Germany
On the 14th of July 1933, all political parties were banned apart from the Nazi Party.
After this, all political opposition was removed.
Trade unions
In May 1933, trade union leaders were arrested and sent to concentration camps.
After this, all trade unions were officially banned and all workers were forced to join the German Labour Front (DAF).
Why did the Night of the Long Knives happen?
Removing opposition to Hitler (Röhm) and von Schleicher was one reason.
Another was to secure the support of General Werner von Blomberg. On the 9th of April 1934, aboard a German battleship, historians believe Blomberg agreed to support Hitler as the leader of Germany after Hindenburg if he reduced the SA’s power and grew the German army under Blomberg.
The Night of the Long Knives
On the 30th June 1934, Hitler used the SS to purge (get rid of certain members) the SA.
400 members of the SA were killed, including Röhm. As well as this, Hitler used the opportunity to kill other opponents, such as the former Chancellor, von Schleicher.
There was now no internal opposition (in the Nazi party) to Hitler. Rohm, his most powerful rival was dead.
Hitler becomes Führer
In August 1934, President Hindenburg died.
Hitler merged (joined) the roles of Chancellor and President together, becoming the new Führer.
Hitler called his regime the ‘Third Reich’ which he believed would last 1,000 years.
