The Enabling Act Nazis still did not have over 50% of seats They needed a 2/3rds majority to change constitution Nazis wanted to pass the Enabling Act Would allow Nazis to pass laws without votes in Reichstag and without Article 48 Would turn Germany into a Dictatorship Nazis used emergency decree powers to arrest Communists Convinces Catholic Party to support him In return for allowing Catholic Schools to operate! Enabling act passed 441 – 84 Hitler is now a Dictator!

Homework Explain why Hitler had these killed on the night of 29th/30th June 1934 Ernst Rohm Gregor Strasser Von Kahr Von Schleicher Father Stempfle + up to 400 others Or Find a complete list of all those who died on that night!

The Night of the Long Knives Hitler makes sure that he is in control of the Nazi Revolution

A Possible Challenger to Hitler Although the Enabling Act gave Hitler dictatorial powers, he still had to be careful of one German institution that could remove him from power. Which one?

The Reichswehr

The Reichswehr v SA The German Army Sturm Abteilung Hindenburg CinC Limited by Treaty of Versailles 100,000 Experienced Soldiers Mostly officers and NCOs Anti-Communist Strongly Nationalist Uneasy about other organisations carrying weapons Sturm Abteilung Rohm CinC 2 million members Inexperienced Thugs Anti-Communist But Radical Impatient with political process Strongly Nationalist Anti-Jewish Wanted to replace Reichswehr But the SA also has another Nazi Rival to deal with!

The SA versus the SS SS SA Himmler Set up in 1927 to act as Hitler’s Bodyguards Small group of fanatical loyalists “My honour is Loyalty” SA Rohm Set up in 1921 to provide protection to Nazis and intimidate opponents Large group of sometimes ‘uncontrollable’ thugs

The Night of the Long Knives When Night of 29th/30th June 1934 Where Most SA rounded up from a small hotel in a village near Munich Other victims picked up at their homes Who Up to 400 victims (next slide) SS soldiers did the arresting Hitler personally took part Why To gain the support of the Reichswehr To remove rivals to the Nazi Movement To settle old scores

Some of the victims 29th/30th June 1934 Ernst Rohm Gregor Strasser Von Kahr Von Schleicher Koppel Father Stempfle + up to 400 others

Some of the victims 29th/30th June 1934 Ernst Rohm – Head of SA Shot after failing to commit suicide Gregor Strasser – Berlin Nazi Shot in prison Von Kahr – ex Bavarian leader Hacked to death with axes, thrown in swamp Von Schleicher – ex Chancellor Shot at home with wife Koppel - communist executed Father Stempfel – Catholic priest Broken neck + 3 bullets in heart + up to 400 others (Mostly SA but also opponents)

Was it a success?

Was it a success? When Hindenburg died in August 1934, the Reichswehr were prepared to add to their oath of loyalty: ". . . to render unconditional obedience to the Fuhrer of the German Reich and people, Adolf Hitler…". The Reichswehr accepted Hitler as their new Commander in Chief No Nazis would ever challenge Hitler again It was surprisingly popular Hitler was standing up to the ‘radical’ Nazis He was a ‘reasonable’ Nazi???