Phase 1: `control at the centre ( Jan-Mar 33) aims : eliminating the democratic function of the Reichstag

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1 Phase 1: `control at the centre ( Jan-Mar 33) aims : eliminating the democratic function of the Reichstag afterwards, legislative only had to be approved of by his cabinet massive restriction of the civil rights as to eliminate political opponents Reichstag Fire ( 27 Feb 33) destroyed Reichtags building provided convenient crisis for the Nazis powerful illusion of the `Communist threat Nazipropaganda very useful for their election campaign strengthened Hitlers in the Reichstag Reichtagsbrandverordnung ( Decree for the Protection of the Peopleand the State) ( 28 Feb 33) Hindenburg granted emergency decree suspended the essential freedoms of the individual gave the state unprecedented rights of search, arrest and censorship Day of Potsdam ( 21 Mar 33) elaborate ceremony, staged in the Potsdam Garrison Church to celebrate the opening of the new Reichstag propaganda triumph Ermächtigungsgesetz ( Enabling Act ) (23 Mar 33) transferred full legislative and executive power to the Chancellor Hitler laws could be passed without approval of the Reichstag Hitler was no longer depend on presidental decree German democracy destroyed by Hitler reasons because of the Reichtags Fire and the emergency decree many communists or socialists arrested or refused admission to the Reichstag Hitler concluded a deal with the Centre Party : he would respect catholic church if they support him thus they accepted Nazi dictatorship

2 Why do the Reichstagsbrandverordnung and the Ermächtigungsgesetz play a prominent role in the consolidation of power in the first phase? Nazis made political capital out of the Reichstag Fire used it to declare a state of emergency and to presecute Communists and socialists Ermächtigungsgesetz allowed Hitler to change the constitution at will and to pass any legislation he wanted

3 Phase 2: `control beyond the centre (Apr- Jul 33) aims : controlling potential enemies making organised opposition virtually impossible Gleichschaltung ( Bringing into Line; Laws for the Coordination of the States within the Reich ) ( 31 Mar, 7 Apr 33) Why? - eliminate potentially powerful interest groups - embarking on a process of `Nazification - Herrschaftstechnik Political Gleichschaltung: trade unions ( dissolved 2 May 1933 DAF dissolution of trade unions membership was compulsory) political parties ( Centre Party dissolved itself on 5 July 33) ( SPD outlawed on 22 July 33) states Gauleiter: Reichsstattshalter civil service ( April 1933: Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service ) separation of powers did not exist in practice Cultural Gleichschaltung: literature ( 10 May 1933: burning ofbooks) propaganda / indoctrination youth and school ( e.g. Hitlerjugend, Bund Deutscher Mädels) Concordat ( July 33) agreement with the new regime attempt to preserve the Church s educational influence and similar privileges Church authorities undertook to dissuade Catholic priests from political activity, and did much to hasten the collapse of the Centre Party almost complete surrender to the new political leadership church s role neutralised church left to run ist own affairs not intervene in politics

4 Gesetz gegen die Neubildung von Parteien ( Law against the establishment of political parties ) (14 Jul 33) made NSDAP the only legal permitted party other political parties dissolved themselves Where is the difference between control at the centre and control beyond the centre? control at the centre eliminated the democratic function of the Reichstag massive restrictions of civil rights as to eliminate political opponents control beyond the centre controlling potential enemies making organized opposition virtually impossible problems solved at the core problems solved around the core How was the the final stage prepared in the second phase? concluding aggreements with potential enemies Concordat abolishing independent trade unions labour was rapidly incorporated in DAF

5 Phase 3: `the final stage (Jan-Aug 1934) Hitler brought the SA firmly under his control won support of the army Hitler became the Führer of Germany ( after Hindenburg s death) bringing stormtroopers under control Night of Long Knives (Nacht der langen Messer) (30 Jun 34) Röhm and other leaders of the SA shot eliminated threat from the left ofthe party and removed important conservative interests outside the party probably Hitler s most spectacular and successful piece of Realpolitik Hindenburg s death Hitler proclaimed himself Führer, combining the offices of Chancellor and President ( 19 Aug 34) Führerprinzip ( leader principle)/ Führerstaat Hitler eliminated institutions of the Weimar Republic within 18 month establishment of a Führerstaat dictatoral one party state

6 How could Hitler win the support of the army? SA outnumbered the army by 1934 and Röhm planned to take over the regular army by absorbing it into the SA army saw the SA as a threat to their authority Hitler destroyed the SA in the Night ofthe Long Knives won the support and loyalty ofthe army Which preconditions for the establishment of a dictatorship were implemented by the completion of the third phase? control over political system control over social and cultural life eliminating potential opponence