19

33 -

1933

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38

1938

You will learn……..You will learn……..

• How Hitler strengthened his How Hitler strengthened his power in 1933-1934power in 1933-1934

• How he influenced the lives of How he influenced the lives of Germans between 1933 and 1939Germans between 1933 and 1939

• How and why the Jewish people in How and why the Jewish people in Germany suffered under his ruleGermany suffered under his rule

• ““Totalitarian Dictatorship”Totalitarian Dictatorship”

IntroductionIntroduction

A “thousand year Reich”

But Hitler’s Third Reich only lasted 12 years

Ended with Germany’s defeat and Hitler’s suicide amidst the ruins of Berlin

This chapter looks at what happened inside Germany in the years before WWII broke out

The Reichstag FireThe Reichstag Fire

Hitler : Chancellor in Jan 1933

Supported by President, German army and many politicians

Hoped for a strong govt and a solution to Germany’s economic problems

Then they will get rid of Hitler

The Reichstag FireThe Reichstag Fire

Hitler, however, was determined to stay

Went about making sure he had complete power

How?

The Reichstag FireThe Reichstag Fire

First step : Called for new elections for the Reichstag (parliament)

Although the Nazi Party was the single largest party in the Reichstag, Hitler wanted an overall majority

The Reichstag FireThe Reichstag Fire

Stopped newspapers from criticizing the Nazis

Dismissed officials who opposed him

Use his unformed followers to break up meetings of other parties and beat up his opponents (SA & SS)

Extreme Nazi violence throughout the election campaign, especially against the communists

The Reichstag FireThe Reichstag Fire

A week before the elections, the Reichstag building in Berlin went up in flames

Hitler blamed the fire on the communists

Used this as an excuse to issue an emergency law

The Reichstag FireThe Reichstag Fire

This law removed freedoms promised by the Weimar Republic Right to a fair trial Free press

The fire was almost certainly started by the Nazis though the Germans did not know this then

The Reichstag FireThe Reichstag Fire

Results of election Nazis obtained 43% With the help of the

Nationalist party, managed to scrap through an overall majority of 51%

The Enabling Act, 1933The Enabling Act, 1933

Hitler now schemed Hitler now schemed to have the Reichstag to have the Reichstag give up its powers give up its powers and rule as a dictatorand rule as a dictator

To do this, the To do this, the Reichstag had to pass Reichstag had to pass an “Enabling Act” an “Enabling Act” which required 2/3 which required 2/3 majoritymajority

Hitler achieved this.Hitler achieved this. How do you think he How do you think he

did it?did it?

The Enabling Act, 1933The Enabling Act, 1933

3 WAYS3 WAYS

1.1. Banned communist Banned communist deputies from coming to deputies from coming to the Reichstag so they the Reichstag so they could not use their votescould not use their votes

2.2. Persuaded the Centre Persuaded the Centre Party to vote for the Act Party to vote for the Act by giving vague promisesby giving vague promises

3.3. Using the votes of his Using the votes of his allies, the Nationalist allies, the Nationalist PartyParty

The End of Democracy in The End of Democracy in GermanyGermany

Because of the Enabling Because of the Enabling Act, democracy died in Act, democracy died in GermanyGermany

Other political parties Other political parties were bannedwere banned

Trade Unions taken Trade Unions taken over by the Nazisover by the Nazis

Press, radio and cinema Press, radio and cinema placed under total Nazi placed under total Nazi controlcontrol

The End of Democracy in The End of Democracy in GermanyGermany

Opponents arrested, Opponents arrested, imprisoned or killedimprisoned or killed

Concentration camps Concentration camps and forced labour campsand forced labour camps

SS and Gestapo struck SS and Gestapo struck terror into many Nazi terror into many Nazi opponentsopponents

Many fled the country eg Many fled the country eg Albert Einstein and the Albert Einstein and the writer Thomas Mannwriter Thomas Mann

The Night of the Long Knives The Night of the Long Knives 19341934

• Hitler wanted to have complete power Hitler wanted to have complete power within his own partywithin his own party

• Ernst Rohm, leader of the SA, was Ernst Rohm, leader of the SA, was disappointeddisappointed– Not given a more important role in the new Not given a more important role in the new

governmentgovernment– Started to create trouble for HitlerStarted to create trouble for Hitler

• Hitler decide to get rid of him and Hitler decide to get rid of him and many of his followersmany of his followers

• How would you do that if you were How would you do that if you were Hitler?Hitler?

The Night of the Long Knives The Night of the Long Knives 19341934

• Hitler called the leaders of the SA to a Hitler called the leaders of the SA to a special conferencespecial conference

• During the night, he had them dragged During the night, he had them dragged out of bed and shotout of bed and shot

• On the same night, many other On the same night, many other opponents all over Germany suffered opponents all over Germany suffered the same fatethe same fate

• No public protests – demonstrated No public protests – demonstrated Hitler’s power and the people’s fearHitler’s power and the people’s fear

• This became known as the This became known as the Night of the Night of the Long KnivesLong Knives

The Night of the Long Knives The Night of the Long Knives 19341934

• 2 months later, President 2 months later, President Hindenberg diedHindenberg died

• Hitler combined the jobs of Hitler combined the jobs of Chancellor and PresidentChancellor and President

• He also became commander in He also became commander in chief of the armed forceschief of the armed forces

• He was now the supreme He was now the supreme dictator of Germanydictator of Germany