The Nazi Consolidation of power

1. Hitler’s weak position

a) He had limited power and needed the support of Hindenburg who disliked Hitler.

b) There were only 2 Nazis in the cabinet with Hitler.

c) Conservatives believed that they could control Hitler, ‘In two months we will have pushed Hitler into a corner so hard that he will be squeaking’.

2. The Reichstag Election – 5th March 1933

a) Hitler called the election within 24 hours of his appointment. He hoped to increase the Nazi vote and as a result be in a stronger position.

b) The Nazis used SA to intimidate opposition, 50,000 extra policemen enrolled all members of SA/SS

c) Hitler’s speeches ‘Appeal to German People’ blamed problems on weaknesses of democratic government and terrorist activities of Communists.

d) Exploited the Reichstag Fire 27th February

e) Election results – Nazi vote rose from 33.1% to 43.9%, they still did not have the 2/3 majority needed to pass enabling act.

3. Enabling act

a) Enable chancellor to pass laws without support of Reichstag.

b) To get it passed needed 2/3 votes.

c) To achieve this Hitler bullied and intimidated Reichstag members.

4. Controlling the S.A – The night of the Long Knives

a) S.A. led by a man called Ernst Rohm, Hitler’s oldest political friend. However he had been criticising Hitler for being too friendly to businessmen.

b) The army felt threatened by the S.A. if the S.A. remained powerful then the army would not support Hitler.

c) The Night of the Long Knives – to remove opposition within the party Hitler claimed Rohm had planned a coup against him. On the 30th June Rohm and 400 others were executed.

d) As a result of this:

i) Opposition within the party had been removed

ii) S.A. was no longer an embarrassment to Hitler.
iii) The Army were grateful that Hitler had chosen them and were therefore loyal to him.

5. The Death of Hindenberg

a) Last possible figure who could oppose Hitler

b) Hindenberg dies naturally, leaving Hitler to become Fuhrer (Chancellor and President combined)

c) The army now swear an oath of loyalty to Hitler.

Revision questions:

1) Why did Hitler call an election as soon as he was appointed chancellor?

2) Why did Hitler order the execution of Rohm and 400 other S.A. members?

3) How did Hitler ensure that the enabling act was passed?

4) Why did it appear that Hitler would not be chancellor for long?

5) Why was it important that Hitler had the support of the army?