Hitler's Consolidation of Power

Summary

This video explains Hitler's rise to totalitarian power in Germany between 1933 and 1934. It covers key events such as the Reichstag Fire, the March 1933 elections, the Enabling Act, the Night of the Long Knives, and the death of President Hindenburg. By exploiting crises and political maneuvering, Hitler consolidated control, using fear, intimidation, and legal changes to eliminate opposition. By the end of 1934, Hitler had transformed Germany into a dictatorship, ending the Weimar Republic and establishing the Third Reich, where he held absolute power as both Chancellor and President.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hitler became Chancellor of Germany in January 1933, but faced many restrictions on his power at the time.
• 😀 The Reichstag fire in February 1933 was pivotal for Hitler, as it allowed him to convince President Hindenburg to declare a state of emergency and grant him more control.
• 😀 The Decree for the Protection of People and the State, passed after the Reichstag fire, suspended constitutional rights for 12 years, enabling Hitler to govern by decree.
• 😀 In the March 1933 elections, Hitler used his emergency powers to eliminate political opponents, particularly communists, and raised funds from wealthy companies to strengthen his position.
• 😀 Despite gaining more seats, the Nazis still did not have a two-thirds majority in the Reichstag, which Hitler needed to change the constitution.
• 😀 Hitler used his emergency powers to ban communist seats in the Reichstag, securing a two-thirds majority and passing the Enabling Act, which gave him the authority to make laws without Reichstag approval.
• 😀 The Enabling Act marked the end of the Weimar Constitution, effectively turning Germany into a totalitarian state.
• 😀 In May 1933, Hitler banned trade unions, making strikes illegal and consolidating further control over the German workforce.
• 😀 The Nazi Party was declared the only legal political party in Germany in July 1933, following the Law Against the Establishment of Parties.
• 😀 Hitler eliminated rival local governments in January 1934, placing all regional politicians under his direct control, centralizing authority even further.
• 😀 The Night of the Long Knives (June 1934) was a violent purge that saw the SA and other political rivals, including Ernst Röhm, executed, consolidating Hitler’s control over the military and the Nazi Party.
• 😀 The death of President Hindenburg in August 1934 allowed Hitler to combine the roles of Chancellor and President, becoming Führer and solidifying his absolute power in Germany.

Q & A

What event triggered Hitler’s consolidation of power in early 1933?

The Reichstag Fire on February 27, 1933, was the event that Hitler used to justify a crackdown on political opposition, leading to the declaration of a state of emergency.

How did Hitler use the Reichstag Fire to his advantage?

Hitler used the Reichstag Fire to convince President Hindenburg that there was a communist conspiracy, allowing him to pass the *Decree for the Protection of People and the State*, which suspended civil liberties and gave Hitler dictatorial powers.

What were the main outcomes of the March 1933 elections?

The Nazis gained more seats in the Reichstag but did not secure a two-thirds majority. Hitler used his emergency powers to ban the Communist Party and obtained the majority necessary for further consolidation of power.

What was the purpose of the Enabling Act passed on March 23, 1933?

The Enabling Act allowed Hitler to pass laws without the approval of the Reichstag or President Hindenburg, giving him absolute control over Germany and effectively ending the democratic Weimar Republic.

Why did Hitler use intimidation to ensure the passage of the Enabling Act?

Hitler used the SA and SS to intimidate Reichstag members, ensuring that opposition parties were either eliminated or forced into voting for the Enabling Act, thus granting him dictatorial powers.

What was the Night of the Long Knives, and why did it happen?

The Night of the Long Knives was a purge in June 1934, where Hitler eliminated internal opposition within the SA, particularly Ernst Röhm, due to their growing power, which threatened both Hitler’s control and the German army.

How did the Night of the Long Knives solidify Hitler's control?

By eliminating rivals within the SA and securing the loyalty of the German army, Hitler consolidated his power and removed any threats to his leadership, ensuring the army's support for his regime.

What was the significance of President Hindenburg's death in August 1934?

Hindenburg’s death allowed Hitler to merge the positions of Chancellor and President, declaring himself *Führer* and becoming the supreme leader of Germany, thus completing his consolidation of power.

How did Hitler ensure the loyalty of the military after Hindenburg's death?

Hitler forced the German army to swear an oath of allegiance to him personally, securing their loyalty and further consolidating his authority as the sole ruler of Germany.

What was the outcome of the plebiscite following Hindenburg's death?

The plebiscite held after Hindenburg's death showed overwhelming support, with over 90% of Germans voting for Hitler to become both President and Chancellor, solidifying his complete control over the country.