The Consolidation of Nazi Power- 'The Legal Revolution'

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  • Created by: ktommo
  • Created on: 14-03-18 18:29

1.

  • To gain Reichstag support Hitler called a general election for March 1933.
  • In his election campaign Hitler made no reference to his anti-Semitism or his plans for foreign expansion.
  • He stressed instead the very serious danger to the republic of a communist uprising.
  • Because of the Reichstag Fire an emergency 'Decree for the Protection of the People and the State' was passed in February 1933.
  • This important decree provided the semi legal foundation for the rule of terror and intimidation, which was about to begin.
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2.

  • After the March 1933 election, the Nazis were far short of the two-thirds majority they needed to change the Constitution.
  • Using his powers under the February emergency decree Hitler moved to arrest the 81 Communist deputies and some of the Socialist deputies.
  • The removal of these deputies and the support of the Centre Party, together with the intimidating presence of the SA and the ** in the Reichstag building enabled Hitler on 24th March to secure the passing of the Enabling Law which virtually ended the Weimar Constitution.
  • Under the Enabling Law the Chancellor was allowed to issue laws for 4 years without the consent of the Reichstag.
  • It gave Hitler the means to establish dictatorial rule.
  • Only the SPD socialists voted against the law; the other parties did not cooperate to oppose Hitler.
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3.

  • Using his extended powers Hitler outlawed the Communist and Socialist Parties.
  • Under the Law against the New Formation of Parties (July 1933) all other political parties, except the Nazis, were declared illegal.
  • By accepting the law such well established organisations as the Catholic Centre Party effectively dissolved themselves and accepted Nazi dictatorship.
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4.

  • By the autumn of 1933, with the exception of the Presidency, the Army and the Churches, every organisation was brought under Hitler's ultimate control by the process known as coordination or Gleichschaltung.
  • Hitler's rallies, speeches and constant appeals for unity gave him the air of being the leader of an unresistable revolution which, despite its inevitable displays of brutality was basically the positive force bringing about the spiritual and economic renewal of Germany.
  • The Nationalist Party, big businesses, the Vatician and even the trade unions and SPD thought each in its own way that by appeasing Hitler they could ride out the storm and salvage the essentials necessary for their existence.
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5.

  • Goebbles outmanoeuvered the Trade Union leadership by appealing over its head to the workers.On 2nd May the SA and ** occupid trade union offices throughout Germany and both unionised and non-unionised workers were enrolled in the new German Labour Front (Deutsche Arbeitsfront) (DAF).
    • He declared May 1st a national holiday in honour of labour and invited workers to participate in the celebratory processions.
  • Hitler ensured that the Labour Front did not become the genuine voice of the wrokers by handling over responsibility for fixing wages and preserving industrial peace to specially created Trustees of Labour who were directly responsible to the Ministry of Labour.
  • Strikes were banned.
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6.

  • The Lander Assemblies were brought under Nazi control.
  • In April 1933, 10 Reichsstatthalter or Reich Governers were appointed, whose function was to ensure that the policies of the Chancellor were carried out in the states.
  • The state police came under Nazi orders and Himmler became Chief of Police as well as Head of the **.
  • In January 1934 the State Assemblies were abolished and the state governments were subordinated to the central government.
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7.

  • In April 1933 the civil service was brought under Nazi control by 'The Law for the Re-Establishment of the Professional Civil Service'.
  • Jews and officers suspected of being disloyal were dismissed and the Nazis took control of appointments, dismissals and promotions.
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8.

  • Nazi control of education, the media and cultural life was established with little difficulty.
  • By the spring 1933 Goebbles as Minister of Propaganda controlled broadcasting and press releases.
  • In September 1933 all 'intellectual workers' were forced to join the Reich Chamber of Culture.
  • In May the Ministry of the Interior compelled the German states to introduce new syllabuses into schools and universities.
  • All teachers and university lecturers' associations were affiliated to the National Socialist Teachers Organisation.
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9.

  • The forces that were too powerful to coerce, Hitler won over with promises. which appealed to their self-interests.
  • Big business and industry was won over by anti-socialist policies, such as banning trade unions and strikes.
  • The employers' associations were welded into the Estate of German Industry and early in 1934 the whole of German business was regrouped along functional and territorial lines under the Reich Economic Chamber.
  • Businessmen and industrialists were able to manage their own affairs and keep more radical members of the Nazi Party out of key positions.
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10.

  • Hitler forestalled the opposition from the Catholic Church by signing a Concordat with Church leaders in July 1933.
  • The Concordat appeared to contain guarantees of religious freedom but it began to be undermined once the Catholic population in the Saar had voted for their inclusion in the Reich in the plebiscite of 1935.
  • Hitler also attempted to coordinate the Protestant Lutheran Church by setting up a Reichskirche (National Church) under Bishop Otto Muller a committed Nazi.
    • But it was immediately challenged by a strong dissident group, which broke away from the Confessional Church.
  • In 1935 Hitler removed Muller and create a new Department of State Affairs, but the Confessional Church mangaed to survive.
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