How many Nazis were in the first cabinet?
Two Nazi party ministers
- Minister of the interior Wilhem Frick
- Minister without portfolio, Hermann Goering
What were the differences in belief between Papen and Hitler about what would happen next?
- Papen believed that Hitler would not be able to dominate his own cabinet; still less would he be able to become the dictator he aspired to be
- Hitler was determined to establish a Nazi dictatorship as soon as possible
What was organised by Goebbels to mark Hitler’s appointment as chancellor?
Hitler stood on the balcony of the Reich Chancellery to review a torchlight procession by around 100,000 Nazi members
What was the purpose of the torchlight procession?
The demonstration was designed to show that Hitler’s appointment as chancellor was not going to be a normal change of government.
It was a spectacular demonstration of Hitler’s personal triumph and of the victory of the Nazi movement
Name three developments for the SA
- From around 500,000 member in January 1933, the organisation grew to around 3 million strong a year later
- Activities of the SA gained legal authority
- In later Feb 1933, the SA and the Stahlhelm were merged and became recognised as the ‘auxiliary police’
Who did the SA target and how?
- SA unleashed a reign of terror against socialist and communist opponents
- Assualt on trade union and KPD offices, as well as homes of left-wing politicians. Gangs of stormtroopers broke up SPD and KPD meetings
What was established at Dachau on 8th March 1933
The first permanent concentration camp
When did the Reichstag fire occur?
27th February 1933
Explain why the Reichstag fire was significant in helping the establishment of the dictatorship
Nazis deliberately set up van de Lubbe but there’s no definitive evidence to show exactly who was responsible. The Nazis gained the most from the fire, as they claimed that it was part of a communist plot to start a revolution in Germany and the event was used to justify the immediate suspension of civil liberties.
Terror had now become a legal means to crush opposition
What powers did Hitler gain from ‘The Decree for the Protection of the People and the State’?
- Persuaded Hindenburg to sign a decree giving him ‘emergency powers’
- Suspended civil and political rights that had been guaranteed under the Weimar constitution
- Police given increased powers to arrest, and detain without charge, those deemed to be a threat to state security
- Powers used to arrest communists
How did Hitler use the powers?
- Police arrested 10,000 communists in 2 weeks
- included most of the leaders
- banned communist and socialist newspapers
- The decree for the protection of the people and the state gave the central government power to take over state governments if they refused to act against the Nazis’ political opponents
March 1933 election
PARTY. NO. SEATS. % OF SEATS
KPD. 81. 12.3
SPD. 120. 18.25
STATE PARTY. 5. 0.85
CENTRE. 73. 11.25
DVP. 2. 1.1
DNVP. 52. 8.0
NSDAP. 288. 43.9
What was significant about the March 1933 election?
- Nazi vote increased
- Nearly 64% of voters supported non-nazi parties
When was the first meeting of the new Reichstag and where was it held?
23rd March 1933
Kroll Opera House
What was the Enabling act designed to do?
A law that would allow him to make laws without the approval of the Reichstag and without reference to the President, for a period of four years.
Give three reasons why it managed to get the 2/3 required support
- Communist deputies unable to take their seats
- DNVP willing to collaborate with the Nazis in passing majority
- By offering the Centre Party the reassurance that he would not use his powers without first consulting Hindenburg, Hitler won its support
Why was the enabling act ‘the final piece in the legal framework that legitimised the Nazi dictatorship’?
Hitler was now able to issue decrees without needing Hindeburg’s approval
Designed to be temporary measures for 4 years, in practice it was a permanent fixture to the Nazi Regime
Nazis could now construct the one party, terror state
