Unit 4- Nazi Germany 1933-39 Flashcards
(139 cards)
What limits were there on Hitlers power?
-The constitution limited his powers- there were checks and balances
-The Nazis only had 1/3 of the Reichstag
-Hindenburg had all of his presidential powers
-Only 3 Nazis made the cabinet of 12
-They needed 2/3 of votes (they only won 44% of the votes out of the 66% they needed)
What was the response to Hitler’s appointment to chancellorship?
-leaders were not to concerned- there were still checks and balances in place
-Most politicians underestimated Hitler, but some still feared what he might do.
-Von Papen thought he could control and use Hitler to overthrow Weimar and replace him with someone else
Although Hitler was head of the government, his authority was dependent on the __________ of other ______________
support
parties
What was ludendorff’s response to Hitler’s appointment?
He was skeptical and was aware of the dangers that might come with it.
“one of the greatest troublemakers of all time”
When did the Reichstag fire happen?
27th February 1933
What happened during the Reichstag fire?
The Reichstag building was destroyed
A Dutch communist- Marinus Van der Lubbe was found guilty of starting the fire.
The Nazis took advantage of the fact that he was a communist
How did Hitler take advantage of the Reichstag fire?
-Hitler called an election for a new Reichstag on March 5th 1933, 6 days after the fire
-He claimed that the Reichstag fire was proof of a serious communist threat and thus people should vote for Nazis
What role did Göering play in the Nazi takeover of the police force? (during the 1933 elections)
As Nazi chief of police, Göring replaced regular police officers with Nazi supporters and recruited 50,000 SA members as “police auxiliaries.”
How did the Nazis use violence to suppress opposition parties? (during the 1933 elections)
The Nazis broke up meetings held by opposition parties and arrested thousands of communists and social democrats, sending them to concentration camps.
From whom did Hitler secure funds for the Nazi campaign? (during the 1933 elections)
Hitler secured funds from industrialists who supported the Nazis’ anti-communist stance and promises to restore Germany’s economy.
What role did propaganda play in the Nazi campaign? (during the 1933 elections)
The Nazis issued huge quantities of propaganda to spread their message, discredit opponents, and gain public support.
How did the Nazis influence voting during elections? (during the 1933 elections)
Nazis and their supporters were posted at polling stations to intimidate voters and encourage “correct voting.”
What was the outcome of the 1933 elections?
Although the Nazi party was the largest in the Reichstag, they did not gain majority
This meant their measures could be voted down by other parties
What was the enabling act?
was a law passed by the Reichstag that gave Hitler the power to make laws without parliamentary approval for four years.
How did Hitler gain support for the enabling act from other parties?
Communist party- He used emergency powers to ban the communist party members (81 seats)
Nationalist party (52 seats)- agreed to support them as many of their beliefs were similar to those of the nazis.
Centre party (74 seats)- He won support from the centre party by promising to protect the catholic church (concordat)
What was the outcome of the enabling act?
After a short debate the act was passed by 444 votes to 94
What were the consequences of the enabling act?
-Marked the end of the Weimar constitution
-Hitler had the power to make laws and sign treaties with foreign powers without the approval of the Reichstag
-The enabling act was applied for 4 years but was renewed in 1934.
How did Hitler use his new powers (from the enabling act) ?
remove any remaining opposition to his government- trade unions, other political parties and local governments.
Why did Hitler target trade unions?
-they had communist sympathies
-many workers were loyal to their union rather than Nazism.
-wanted to win the favour of big businesses who were keen to see th power of the trade unions reduced
What measures were taken to stop trade unions?
(May 1933)
-Nazis broke into the trade union offices and arrested their leaders
-They then created the German Workers Front and forced workers to join this new organisation
What measures were taken to stop other political parties?
-Social democrats were suspended- Nazis occupied party and took funds (May 1933)
-The nazis suspended the communist party in the same way (May 1933)
-Hitler created a new law which banned all political parties except the Nazi party. (July 1933)
What measures were taken to stop the local government?
-The Nazis closed down Germany’s 18 separate state parliaments (March 1933)
-Hitler then reorganised these parliaments so that Nazis held a majority in each
-Appointment of Nazi state governors to make laws
-Hitler abolished state parliaments altogether (Jan 1934)
What was the Night of Long Knives
The Night of the Long Knives (June 30–July 2, 1934) was a purge ordered by Hitler to eliminate threats to his power.
The SA (Stormtroopers), led by Ernst Röhm, and other political opponents were arrested or executed.
This secured Hitler’s control over the Nazi Party and gained support from the army and conservatives.
Why did Hitler feel the need for a limit on the SA’s power?
-The SA was becoming very powerful- in 1934 it had over 2 million members
-The leader Ernst Rohm was a possible rival to Hitler
-Head of the SS, Heinrich Himmler, resented the SA’s influence.
-Rohm’s views were different- more socialist also homosexual which people were offended by
-Hitler had plans to rearm Germany and increase the size of its army but the SA wanted to replace it.
- in 1934, SA units began to stop army convoys and confiscating their weapons.