Path to Dictatorship

What would be Hitler’s first action as Chancellor?

Path to Dictatorship Step 1: The Reichstag Fire The Reichstag building was mysteriously set ablaze less than a month after Hitler was appointed chancellor. Hitler convinced citizens that communists were the arsons, and had them banned from the Reichstag. However, today historians believe Nazis did it.

Why would he burn down the Reichstag?

Path to Dictatorship Step 2: The Enabling Act Fights then erupted in the streets between Nazi Brownshirts and German communists. Property was destroyed and chaos reigned. Hoping to restore order and prevent a communist takeover the Reichstag agreed to the Enabling Act which gave Hitler power to single-handedly pass emergency laws for four years.

Path to Dictatorship With the power to make his own laws Hitler threw out the democratic constitution, banned other political parties, censored the media, and spread Nazi propaganda. Goebbels

Path to Dictatorship Those who protested the takeover were sent to concentration camps by the Gestapo, a branch of Hitler’s SS (special security) that carried out his brutality within Germany.

Concentration Camp

SS Execution

How can Hitler convince the Army to join him?

Path to Dictatorship Step 3: Winning the Army The army still did not support Hitler because they often fought with his Brownshirts, and viewed them as competition. To win over the army, in June of 1934 Hitler ordered the killing of nearly 500 Brownshirt leaders on what was dubbed the “Night of the Long Knives.” Army generals were now pleased and supported Hitler.

Now only the President stands in the way of Hitler.

Path to Dictatorship Step 4: Der Fuhrer President Hindenburg was Hitler’s last obstacle in the way of a total dictatorship, but in August 1934 the aging Hindenburg died.

With Hindenburg gone, Hitler declared himself “Fuhrer” or ultimate leader of Germany. A plebiscite was held and the Germans voted in favor of having Hitler as Fuhrer.

Time “Man of the Year” 1938

Hitler's Rise to Power Great Strong Depression Leadership Harsh Weak Versailles Treaty Weak Weimar Government

How Did Hitler Become a Dictator? BECOMES CHANCELLOR (Power split three ways) REICHSTAG FIRE (Communists blamed, street fights, chaos) ENABLING ACT (Only Nazi party allowed, censorship, Reichstag powerless) Der Fuhrer! How Did Hitler Become a Dictator? HITLER DECLARES HIMSELF FUHRER (Dictatorship achieved) DEATH OF PRESIDENT HINDENBURG (All opposition gone) NIGHT OF THE LONG KNIVES (Hitler purges Brownshirts - army now supports him)