Establishing the dictatorship Jan 1933 – July 1933: use of propaganda
Reichstag fire (Feb 1933):
● Reichstag was the German Parliament building which burnt down.
● There are two potential causes that started the fire: the Dutch Communists or the Nazi’s.
● Reichstag burned down on 27th Feb 1933.
● 4000 Communists were arrested.
● President Hindenburg passed the Emergency Decree, which limited civil liberties (speech,
assembly, printing etc).
● Police detained and also disrupted Nazi opponents (led by Hermann Goering).
Enabling Act (March 1933):
● Two potential causes of the Enabling act were: Nazis failed to win overall majority, despite,
the intimidation and disruption and Hitler wanted to rule without Reichstag.
● This led to Communists being banned, intimidation at Kroll Opera House and was passed by
over 300 votes.
● This also allowed Hitler to rule as a dictator.
● The Reichstag votes its own powers away; end of Weimar Republic Democracy.
● Rapid change followed: the Nazi Revolution.
Nazi rule secured and elimination of opponents (to June 1933):
● There was a potential for the Nazis to be forced from power, mainly from Communists.
● 25,000 Communists and influential opponents were put into concentration camps.
● Social Democrats and Nationalists were rounded up.
● Trade unions were closed.
● Any potential opponents: fled, were imprisoned, or executed.
● This prevented any future opposition.
Night of the Long Knives (June 1934):
● Hitler wanted to support the growth of the German Army- funding, legitimacy.
● SA had grown out of control.
● Hitler had a deteriorating relationship with Ernest Röhm.
● The SS had arrested and executed 200 SA leaders.
● Ernest Röhm and other leaders were executed.
● SA were brought back under control and the SS grew in importance.
Hitler Made President (August 1934):
● President Hindenburg dies
● Hitler declares himself as president following Hindenburg’s death.
● Hitler becomes Head of State and commander of the Army- every soldier swore an oath of
obedience and loyalty. Many weren’t Nazi’s.
Reichstag fire (Feb 1933):
● Reichstag was the German Parliament building which burnt down.
● There are two potential causes that started the fire: the Dutch Communists or the Nazi’s.
● Reichstag burned down on 27th Feb 1933.
● 4000 Communists were arrested.
● President Hindenburg passed the Emergency Decree, which limited civil liberties (speech,
assembly, printing etc).
● Police detained and also disrupted Nazi opponents (led by Hermann Goering).
Enabling Act (March 1933):
● Two potential causes of the Enabling act were: Nazis failed to win overall majority, despite,
the intimidation and disruption and Hitler wanted to rule without Reichstag.
● This led to Communists being banned, intimidation at Kroll Opera House and was passed by
over 300 votes.
● This also allowed Hitler to rule as a dictator.
● The Reichstag votes its own powers away; end of Weimar Republic Democracy.
● Rapid change followed: the Nazi Revolution.
Nazi rule secured and elimination of opponents (to June 1933):
● There was a potential for the Nazis to be forced from power, mainly from Communists.
● 25,000 Communists and influential opponents were put into concentration camps.
● Social Democrats and Nationalists were rounded up.
● Trade unions were closed.
● Any potential opponents: fled, were imprisoned, or executed.
● This prevented any future opposition.
Night of the Long Knives (June 1934):
● Hitler wanted to support the growth of the German Army- funding, legitimacy.
● SA had grown out of control.
● Hitler had a deteriorating relationship with Ernest Röhm.
● The SS had arrested and executed 200 SA leaders.
● Ernest Röhm and other leaders were executed.
● SA were brought back under control and the SS grew in importance.
Hitler Made President (August 1934):
● President Hindenburg dies
● Hitler declares himself as president following Hindenburg’s death.
● Hitler becomes Head of State and commander of the Army- every soldier swore an oath of
obedience and loyalty. Many weren’t Nazi’s.
