The Rise of Hitler

Rise of the Dictatorship

Once in power, the Nazis first set out to make Germany a dictatorship. They did this by eliminating (getting rid of) political opposition and securing Hitler’s authority (power).

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

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).

Hitler felt that the SA and Röhm threatened his power, as they SA wanted to take over the army and were starting to damage the Nazi reputation. Hitler sought the allegiance of the smaller but more disciplined army, comprising only 100,000 men, and the SS, led by Himmler.

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.

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.

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.

Loyalty in the Third Reich

Loyalty to the Führer was shown through the ‘Heil Hitler’ salute.
Hitler forced the army to swear an oath of allegiance (loyalty) to him personally, not Germany. On the 2nd August 1934, Blomberg added a new oath to the German army, swearing loyalty to the 'Fuhrer'.

Control of local government

Local government in provinces was brought under Nazi control.
Provinces (called Gaue) were all run by a Gauleiter, who was a Nazi trusted by Hitler.
Each Gauleiter reported to Reichsleiters, who reported to Hitler. Goebbels was a Reichsleiter focused on propaganda.
In 1934, the Law for the Reconstruction of the Reich gave Hitler total control of local governments.

1The Weimar Republic 1918-1929

1.1World War One

1.1.1WW1

1.1.2The Weimar Republic

1.1.3Early Challenges to Weimar

1.1.4Reparations & the Ruhr

1.1.5Weimar Recovery

1.1.6Weimar Living Standards

1.1.7Weimar Culture

1.1.8End of Topic Test - WW1 & Weimar

1.1.9Grade 9 - The Weimar Republic

2Hitler's Rise to Power 1919-1933

2.1Early Development of the Nazi Party

2.1.1Hitler & the Beginnings of the Nazi Party

2.1.2End of Topic Test - Start of the Nazi Party

2.2The Munich Putsch & the Lean Years

2.2.1The Munich Putsch

2.2.2The Lean Years, 1923-1929

2.2.3End of Topic Test - Putsch & Lean Years

2.2.4Grade 9 - Hitler's Rise to Power

2.3The Growth of Support for the Nazis

2.3.1The Impact of the Great Depression

2.3.2End of Topic Test - Great Depression

2.4How Hitler Became Chancellor

2.4.1Article 48 & Political Turmoil

2.4.2von Papen & Hindenburg's Pact

2.4.3End of Topic Test - Chancellory

2.4.4Grade 9 - How Hitler Became Chancellor

3Nazi Control & Dictatorship 1933-1939

3.1Creating a Dictatorship, 1933-1934

3.1.1The Rise of Hitler

3.1.2End of Topic Test - Dictatorship

3.2The Police State

3.2.1The Police State

3.2.2Repression & Concentration Camps

3.2.3The Nazis & Religion

3.2.4End of Topic Test - Police State

3.2.5Grade 9 - Dictatorship and Police State

3.3Controlling & Influencing Attitudes

3.3.1Propaganda & Censorship

3.3.2Nazi Art & Culture

3.3.3Church Opposition & Social Conformity

3.3.4Youth Opposition & the July Plot

3.3.5End of Topic Test - Controlling Attitudes

3.3.6Grade 9 - Controlling Attitudes

4Life in Nazi Germany 1933-1939

4.1Life in Nazi Germany

4.1.1Women in Nazi Germany

4.1.2Youths in Nazi Germany

4.1.3Employment & Living Standards

4.1.4End of Topic Test - Life in Nazi Germany

4.2The Persecution of Minorities

4.2.1Nazi Racial Beliefs

4.2.2The Persecution of the Jews

4.2.3The Death Camps

4.2.4End of Topic Test - Persecution

4.2.5Grade 9 - Life in Nazi Germany

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