This section delves into the crucial steps taken by the Nazis to consolidate their power in Germany, transforming the country from a democracy into a totalitarian state under Hitler’s rule.
The Reichstag Fire and the Enabling Act
- The Reichstag Fire (27 February 1933): A pivotal event in the Nazi consolidation of power, the burning of the German parliament building, the Reichstag, was used by the Nazis as a pretext to declare a state of emergency. The Nazis accused the communists of starting the fire, exploiting the situation to suppress political opposition.
- Reichstag Fire Decree: President Hindenburg, under the influence of Hitler, issued this decree, which suspended civil liberties including freedom of press, speech, and assembly. This decree significantly curtailed political opposition, allowing for the arrest of thousands of communists, socialists, and critics of the Nazi party.
- The Enabling Act (23 March 1933): This act, passed by the Reichstag under pressure and manipulation, granted Hitler's cabinet the power to enact laws without the parliament's consent. Officially known as the "Law to Remedy the Distress of the People and the Reich," it was a legal measure that marked the end of the Weimar Republic’s democracy.
- Consolidation of Legislative Power: By allowing Hitler and his cabinet to pass laws independently of the Reichstag, the Enabling Act effectively dismantled the Weimar Constitution. It was a crucial step towards dictatorship, as it nullified the power of the parliament and laid the groundwork for a totalitarian regime.
The Night of the Long Knives
- Internal Party Purge (30 June to 2 July 1934): Known as the Night of the Long Knives, this purge was a series of political executions carried out by the Nazi regime. It targeted potential rivals within the party, especially leaders of the SA (Sturmabteilung), including Ernst Röhm.
- Suppression of the SA: The SA, under Röhm’s leadership, had grown increasingly powerful and autonomous, seen by Hitler as a threat to his control. By eliminating Röhm and other SA leaders, Hitler not only removed a potential rival but also appeased the German Army, which had viewed the SA with suspicion.
- Wider Political Repression: The purge extended beyond the SA, targeting various other political opponents, including conservatives and past critics of the Nazi regime. This event showcased the ruthless extent to which Hitler would go to solidify his control and eliminate opposition.
The Death of Hindenburg and Hitler’s Assumption of the Führer Title
- President Hindenburg's Death (2 August 1934): The death of President Paul von Hindenburg was a turning point in the Nazi consolidation of power. His death removed the last significant check on Hitler’s power within the German state apparatus.
- Fusion of President and Chancellor Roles: Immediately following Hindenburg’s death, Hitler declared the offices of President and Chancellor merged, proclaiming himself "Führer and Reich Chancellor." This act effectively made him the sole leader of Germany, with absolute power.
- Oath of Allegiance: A key aspect of Hitler's consolidation of power was the personal oath of allegiance sworn by the military to him, rather than to the constitution or the country. This direct oath indicated the complete subjugation of the military to Hitler’s will, an essential step in establishing his totalitarian regime.
- Public Referendum: A plebiscite following Hindenburg’s death showed significant public support for Hitler's new role, with a reported 88.1% voting in favour. While the legitimacy of this referendum is debatable due to Nazi control and propaganda, it nonetheless served to further legitimise Hitler's rule in the eyes of many Germans.
In summary, the Nazi consolidation of power was a multifaceted process, beginning with the exploitation of the Reichstag Fire to suppress political opposition and extending to the passing of the Enabling Act, which effectively ended parliamentary democracy in Germany. The Night of the Long Knives further consolidated Hitler's power by eliminating internal party rivals and aligning the military with his regime. Finally, the death of President Hindenburg and the merging of his role with that of the Chancellor solidified Hitler's position as the unchallenged Führer of Germany. This series of events transformed Germany into a totalitarian state under Nazi rule, setting the stage for the aggressive policies that would follow both domestically and internationally.
FAQ
Propaganda played a pivotal role in securing public acceptance of Hitler's new title as Führer following President Hindenburg's death. The Nazi propaganda machine, led by Joseph Goebbels, launched a widespread campaign to glorify Hitler and present the merger of the Chancellor and President's roles as a natural and positive development for Germany. This propaganda emphasised the unity and strength that Hitler's leadership brought to the nation, portraying him as the embodiment of German aspirations. The regime's control over media and information also meant that dissenting voices were silenced, ensuring that the public narrative was overwhelmingly in favour of Hitler's new title. This manipulation of public opinion was crucial in legitimizing Hitler's absolute power in the eyes of many Germans.
The Night of the Long Knives significantly strengthened Hitler's position with the German Army. By eliminating the SA's leadership and reducing its power, Hitler appeased the Army, which had viewed the SA as a rival and a threat to its traditional role in German society. The Army was concerned about the SA's growing influence and its potential to supplant the military's position. After the purge, the Army’s allegiance to Hitler solidified, as they saw him as a stabilizer and protector of traditional military values. This realignment of the Army's loyalty was critical for Hitler, ensuring military support for his regime and further consolidating his power.
The Night of the Long Knives represented a significant turning point in the internal dynamics of the Nazi Party by shifting the balance of power firmly to Hitler and his loyalists. Prior to the purge, the SA, under Ernst Röhm, had posed a significant challenge to Hitler's authority due to its size and independent streak. The purge not only eliminated this challenge but also served as a warning to others within the party about the consequences of dissent. It established a precedent for absolute loyalty to Hitler and signalled the end of any semblance of internal democracy or debate within the party. Post-purge, the party's structure became more centralized and hierarchical, with Hitler at the apex, commanding unquestioned authority.
The immediate political consequences of the Enabling Act for the Weimar Republic were catastrophic, leading to its effective dissolution. The act allowed Hitler's government to pass laws without the Reichstag's consent or the president's signature, bypassing the constitutional framework of the Republic. This usurpation of legislative power by the executive marked the end of democratic governance in Germany. It led to the centralization of power in Hitler's hands, as the Nazis could legislate without checks and balances. Political parties were subsequently banned, and all opposition was suppressed, transforming the Weimar Republic from a democracy into a totalitarian state under Nazi rule.
The Reichstag Fire Decree, issued in response to the Reichstag Fire in 1933, was a crucial tool for the Nazi regime to suppress political opposition. This decree suspended several key civil liberties, such as freedom of speech, press, and assembly, which were essential components of democratic functioning. By curtailing these freedoms, the Nazis effectively muzzled the opposition, particularly communists and social democrats, who were their main rivals. The decree also allowed for the arrest of political adversaries and the banning of their publications, severely limiting their ability to organize and resist. This created an environment where the Nazis could operate with little to no opposition, consolidating their power significantly.
Practice Questions
The Enabling Act of 1933 was a pivotal moment in the Nazi consolidation of power. It marked the demise of the Weimar Republic's parliamentary system, granting Hitler and his cabinet the power to enact laws without parliamentary consent. This act not only nullified the Reichstag's role but also signified the transition of the German state into a dictatorship under Nazi rule. The act's significance lies in its legal dismantling of democratic structures, allowing the Nazis to implement policies unchallenged and solidify their totalitarian regime. It was an essential step in Hitler's journey to absolute power, making it a cornerstone of Nazi consolidation.
The Night of the Long Knives profoundly altered power dynamics within the Nazi Party and the German state. By purging the SA's leadership, particularly Ernst Röhm, Hitler eliminated a significant rival power base within the party. This action not only reinforced Hitler's supremacy within the Nazi Party but also placated the German Army, which viewed the SA's growing power with concern. The purge signified Hitler's willingness to use brutal force to consolidate power and demonstrated his control over the state apparatus. This event was crucial in establishing Hitler's unchallenged dictatorship and aligning the military and party apparatus under his singular authority.
