The Rise of Hitler and the Consolidation of Power

Early Leadership In 1925, the Nazi Party was re-organized and named Hitler as the leader of the party. Once appointed as a leader, Hitler realized the Nazi Party needed specific symbols to become familiar with the public. This was a simple way of indoctrinating the people of Germany.

The Swastika Nazi Posters

The Salute… “Sieg Heil”… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vezr3dW4 J5s&feature=PlayList&p=5595F78144904CAA &playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=1 The Brown Shirt Uniform Hitler used his SA to distribute pamphlets to recruit and promote rallies.

Nazi Politics 1928 marked the first time the Nazi’s got involved in the German Federal elections. During the elections, the Nazi party won 2.6% of the popular vote and won 12 seats. This grew to 107 seats in 1930. By July 1932 – their support grew to 230 seats. This was the most in the Reichstag but not enough for a majority victory.

Consolidating power In November 1932, the Nazi party held 1/3 of the seats in the Reichstag. By 1933 Hitler was named Chancellor. Capitalizing on the situation he quickly turned Germany into a totalitarian state.

Hitler became Chancellor January 1933 The depression after the Wall Street Crash made many more people vote for the Nazis. In 1933 Von Papen convinced Hindenburg that Hitler should become Chancellor. Ironically, the government agreed as they thought Hitler posed no real threat and could be easily manipulated. Hitler became Chancellor

The Reichstag Fire The Reichstag building burnt down. A communist was found inside the building. He admitted responsibility. Chancellor Hitler was able to convince people that the Communists were trying to take power by terrorism. He was able to have the Communists banned from the Reichstag, thus ridding the government of his main opposition February 1933

Creation of the Third Reich iii. 1933: The Reichstag Fire a. Step One- Hitler becomes chancellor and his main opponents in the Reichstag are the communists b. The next day the Reichstag mysteriously burns to the ground. Hitler and his Nazi party captured a member of the Communist Party and blame him for it. Hitler uses the event to pass the Enabling Act, which gave him full control. SS 30 Hitler's Totalitarian Dictatorship November 16, 2018

Hitler passed the Reichstag Fire Decree and Enabling Act in 1933 which made it possible to: Restrict personal freedom, freedom of opinion, freedom of the press, and freedom of organization and assembly Eliminate the privacy of mail, telegrams, and phone conversations Eliminate the need for warrants to conduct searches Pass legislation through the office of the Chancellor without the approval of the Reichstag Ban all political parties except the Nazi party

Germany had become a dictatorship by 1933 The Nazis purged Germany of opposition to them When President Hindenburg died August 19, 1934, Hitler declared himself Führer While individual rights suffered, the economy benefitted: 6 million Germans were unemployed in 1932, in 1936 only 1 million were unemployed Foreign imports were restricted to promote German products designed to achieve autarky (self-sufficiency and independence from other nations)

Enabling Act of 1933 Passed on March 23, 1933 Formal name was the “ Law to Remedy the Distress of the people and the Nation” Helped Adolf Hitler get closer to his goal of achieving full control over the German Parliament Although many members of parliament disagreed with the idea of the Enabling Act, the military influence of Hitler’s “SA men” forced them to change their minds It granted Hitler the right to enact laws without consulting the German Parliament for a period of four years Formed the legal and constitutional basis for the Third Reich because it allowed Hitler’s plans to deviate from the existing constitution It encouraged the dissolving of all parties other than the Nazi party, and formed the platform for Hitler’s dictatorship

The Night of the Long Knives The night of the Long Knives took place between June 30TH and July 2nd 1934. Hitler moved against the SA and its leader Ernst Rohm because he saw them as a threat to his power, he also moved against conservative critics of his regime. Over 100 people were killed for political reasons by the SS and the Gestapo and more than 1000 were arrested.

The death of President Hindenburg August 1934 PRESIDENT HINDENBURG’S DEATH GAVE HITLER THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMBINE THE ROLE OF CHANCELLOR AND PRESIDENT. HE CALLED HIMSELF ‘DER FUHRER’.

How Hitler Establishes Fascism ii. Hitler seizes control of the judiciary. This places him above the law a. Hitler passed the Civil Service Law. This law effectively “fired” all judges and lawyers who were not supporters of the Nazi Party b. They were replaced by loyal followers of Nazi ideology iii. Book Burning: All books that did not support Nazis ideology were destroyed SS 30 How Hitler Establishes Fascism November 16, 2018

So….. Der Fuhrer HITLER BECAME CHANCELLOR THE REICHSTAG FIRE THE ENABLING ACT Der Fuhrer OATH OF LOYALTY TO HITLER THE NIGHT OF THE LONG KNIVES DEATH OF PRESIDENT HINDENBURG

Features of Fascism in Nazi Germany Anti – Liberalism - Anti-parliamentarianism -Individual worth in serving the state Racism -Superiority of the Aryan Race -Violent Anti-Semitism Eugenics Collectivism - Every citizen works together for greater good of Germany Big Business-State-Military Partnerships - Wealthy industrialists cooperated with state - The state prevents formation of labour unions Extreme Nationalism - Establishment of central European empire - Unify German speaking lands -militarism, expansionism See page 186