The Legal Revolution 1933-34

The “Legal Revolution” Hitler’s position as chancellor was initially bound by several limitations Only 2 other Nazis were in the cabinet The Nazi-Nationalist coalition did not have a majority in the Reichstag Hindenburg could easily fire him, as he had the two previous chancellors The army and the trade unions had significant power and could disrupt the gov

The “Legal Revolution” However, Hitler’s position as chancellor was also bolstered by several factors The Nazis were largest political party in Germany: people HAD to work with him even if they didn’t like him Some viewed Hitler as the only alternative to civil war or communism The Nazis now had access to state resources, which could help them push their agenda even further Papen (and everyone else) was naïve about Hitler’s political savvy

So how did Hitler create a dictatorship in two months?

The “Legal Revolution” New Reichstag Elections Called For Hitler called for new elections within 24 hours of being made chancellor—WHY? The campaign was characterized by violence, terror; Nazis and Nazi-controlled police broke up Comm. and Soc. Meetings Exploited hate and fear greatly in propaganda “Appeal to the German People” Jan 31,1933 Nazi finances were fat from donations from industrialists

The “Legal Revolution” The Reichstag Fire: Feb 27, 1933 Blamed on a young Communist, but Nazi culpability is still debated Real significance is how Nazis exploited the event: “The Decree for the Protection of People and State” is passed Civil and political liberties suspended Central gov’s power strengthened Anti-Nazis arrested in lead up to election

The “Legal Revolution” March 5 Election Results: Disappointing! Nazis increase from 33% to 43.9%, which is only 288 seats Hitler can only claim majority with the addition of Nationalist seats Even then, still not enough for the 2/3 majority required for changing the Weimar Constitution

The “Legal Revolution” The Enabling Act Proposed: March 1933 Undeterred, Hitler proposes a new act that will transfer all power to the chancellor for 4 years Problems: Needs a 2/3 majority “Revolution from below” is building in Nazi’s lower ranks, threatening to destroy appearance of legitimacy To allay fears, Hitler hosts a ceremony celebrating the new Reichstag on March 21 in Potsdam

Day of Potsdam: March 21, 1933 Symbolic joining of the Nazis with Prussian militarism

The “Legal Revolution” The Enabling Act: March 23,1933 March 23: The new Reichstag gathers to consider the Enabling Act A very different Nazi Party becomes visible Communists are refused entrance SA surrounds the building Hitler promises to respect the Catholic Church in order to get their votes, and the Enabling Act is passed Only Social Democrats voted against it Hitler had “legally” dismantled the Constitution

Questions Significance of the Enabling Act? Define Gleichschaltung. What areas were the Nazis first able to get under their control in 1933? Which sectors remained difficult to coordinate? Why?

Questions Describe the tension between Hitler’s assertion that the revolution “must be guided” and the idea of “revolution from below.” Why was the SA a liability for Hitler in 1934? Who is Ernst Rohm?

Questions Why did Hindenburg’s failing health result in a crisis? What took place on June 30, 1934? Who was targeted? Why was this act significant? Who benefited?

Night of the Long Knives Reactions were mixed Some were shocked by the blatant brutality Others believed he had acted in Germany’s best interests The army even thanked Hitler publicly-even though Schleicher was a general! The purge was retroactively justified by the cabinet in July

Questions What steps did Hitler take to succeed Hindenburg after his death in August, 1934? Did Germany undergo a revolution between 1933 and 1934? To what extent did Hitler rely on terror and violence to consolidate his power? Was Hitler’s rise to the position of Fuhrer inevitable?