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Hitler and Nazi Germany - nazi consolidation of power
- 1. Hitler and NaziGermany Nazi consolidation of power, 1933-34
- 2. In todayâs class,I am learning to: ⢠Describe the events which led to the Nazis taking power in Germany ⢠Explain how the Nazis consolidated their power in Germany Nazi consolidation of power
- 3. At the startof 1932 they were still the smallest party in the Reichstag. However by the end of 1934, the Nazis had absolute control of Germany. Nazi consolidation of power
- 4. Nazi consolidation ofpower Nazi support had been increasing since 1928. Political and economic crises in Germany had encouraged the people to back more extreme parties. Changes to Nazi party structure and organisation had also gained more followers.
- 5. Nazi consolidation ofpower In July 1932, elections were held to the Reichstag. The Nazis emerged as the largest party, gaining 37% of votes. In November 1932 a second Reichstag election was held. The Nazis were again the biggest party, winning 33% of votes.
- 6. Nazi consolidation ofpower The increase in support for the Nazis â and also the crises which damaged Germany â increased the pressure to make Hitler part of the government. Finally in January 1933, President Hindenburg appointed Hitler as German Chancellor.
- 7. Nazi consolidation ofpower Hindenburg didnât like Hitler. He made him Chancellor to try and stop Hitler making promises he didnât have to keep. Franz von Papen, Hitlerâs vice chancellor, said âweâve hired himâ, meaning he believed Hitler would be easy to control.
- 8. Nazi consolidation ofpower Instead it was Hitler that soon took full control of Germany. He did this due to issues such as: ⢠The Reichstag Fire ⢠The Enabling Act ⢠Control of the Churches ⢠Night of the Long Knives ⢠Death of Hindenburg
- 9. Nazi consolidation ofpower The Reichstag Fire In March 1933 another Reichstag election was to be held. On 27 February (one week before the election) the Reichstag was burned down. The fire was blamed on a Dutch Communist, Marinus van der Lubbe, although some people suspected the Nazis.
- 10. Nazi consolidation ofpower After the Fire, the Reichstag Fire Decree was passed, giving Hitler a range of powers. These powers included: ⢠Arresting political opponents ⢠Newspapers could be censored or shut down ⢠Peopleâs private letters could be read
- 11. Nazi consolidation ofpower The Reichstag Fire Decree remained part of German law until 1945. This helped secure the Nazisâ hold on power because it gave Hitler the powers to stop political opposition. He even made the SA and SS part of Germanyâs police.
- 12. Nazi consolidation ofpower The Enabling Act The Nazis increased their support in the March election. They gained 44% of the vote, confirming their place as the largest party, but still short of a majority. At first the Nazis would be forced to work with other political parties.
- 13. Nazi consolidation ofpower On 24 March 1933, Hitler persuaded other parties to support the Enabling Act. This law gave Hitler the ability to pass laws without agreement from the Reichstag, although Hitler pledged he would only occasionally make use of this power.
- 14. Nazi consolidation ofpower However once Hitler had this power he used it to remove other groups that might oppose him. In May 1933 Hitler banned workplace trade unions and in July 1933 he outlawed all political parties, apart from the Nazis.
- 15. Nazi consolidation ofpower Control of the Churches After banning trade unions and political parties, the Churches were the only mass groups that might be able to oppose the Nazis. Hitler worried that if he took legal action against them that Germans might stand up against the Nazis.
- 16. Nazi consolidation ofpower Instead, in July 1933, Hitler signed a Concordat with the Catholic Church. This agreement guaranteed that the Nazis would leave alone Church organisations (such as schools and youth groups), and the Catholic Church would not interfere in politics.
- 17. Nazi consolidation ofpower There were different Protestant Churches in Germany, arguably making each one easier to control. Hitler tried to replace these Churches with a Nazi- approved Reich Church, which taught religious beliefs from a Nazi perspective.
- 18. Nazi consolidation ofpower Night of the Long Knives As Hitler increased his control of Germany, his main worries about possible opposition came from within the Nazi Party. He especially feared a takeover by Ernst Rohm, the leader of the SA.
- 19. Nazi consolidation ofpower On 30 June 1934, Hitler began Operation Hummingbird, better known as the Night of the Long Knives. This involved the SS arresting and executing potential Nazi opponents of Hitler. It lasted until 2 July 1934. Anti-Nazi poster
- 20. Nazi consolidation ofpower Around 100 people died, including Ernst Rohm and former Chancellor Schleicher. At first German newspapers were banned from reporting about the event. Later Hitler claimed the men had been plotting with France and used the Enabling Act to make the killings legal.
- 21. Nazi consolidation ofpower The Nazis received a huge boost to their power from the Night of the Long Knives. As well as removing possible opponents, the German military and President backed Hitlerâs actions. Ordinary Germans were also scared about what might happen to them.
- 22. Nazi consolidation ofpower Death of Hindenburg Although Hitler was very powerful, he still worried about the influence of President Hindenburg. The German President was a national hero due to his war exploits, so Hitlerâs actions were sometimes limited by Hindenburg.
- 23. Nazi consolidation ofpower However Hindenburg was very old, and he died age 86 in August 1934. After his death Hitler merged the offices of Chancellor and President, creating the role of Fuhrer. He now had complete control of Germany, without major opposition.
- 24. Nazi consolidation ofpower Hitler even made the German Army swear an oath of personal loyalty to him, not to Germany or even the titles that he held. Control of the police, army and groups like the SS meant that there could be no serious attempts to remove Hitler from power.
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