The Nazis described their rise to power in 193-34 as a 'power-grab' () as – after becoming Chancellor in Jan 1933 – Hitler turned this democratic position into a dictatorship by legal manipulation, terror, and propaganda.
Eight Steps to Becoming Dictator
1. Reichstag Fire - 27 Feb 1933
The Reichstag burned down; Dutch Communist van der was blamed. Historians debate if Nazis staged it. Hitler exploited the fire to justify a police state:
a. Issued the Reichstag , suspending civil rights and banning political groups.
b. Arrested thousands of KPD/SDP opponents, incl. KPD leader Ernst Thälmann.
c. Sent political prisoners to makeshift concentration camps, boosting Nazi support.
d. Banned KPD candidates but kept their names on ballots to confuse voters.
e. Launched anti-KPD propaganda.
f. Stormtroopers attacked Jews and opposition groups.
g. Trial of van der Lubbe (executed) embarrassed Nazis as acquitted defendants exposed Nazi lies.
h. Set up ('People's Courts') to ensure favourable verdicts.
i. Historians have interpreted the Fire as the 'opening act' of Nazi terror, as Hitler's constitutional foundation, and to the Nazi regime’s destructive rise.
2. General Election - 5 March 1933
Hitler held elections but won only 44% of votes. He arrested 81 deputies, securing a majority. Goering became Speaker of the Reichstag.
3. Enabling Act - 23 March 1933
The Reichstag gave Hitler power to make laws. Stormtroopers threatened opposition MPs. Misconceptions:
• Entitled 'Act to relieve the and of the Reich' = not an open power-grab.
• Similar acts existed pre-1933 but ‘spun’ to the world as a necessity.
• Whilst it gave the Cabinet wide-ranging powers, it included explicit – Hitler established his dictatorship by illegally ignoring it..
4. Local Government & Police - 26 April 1933
• Nazis took over local govts & police, replaced anti-Nazi officials, and set up the . Germans were encouraged to report dissenters. Jews, Communists, Protestants, Jehovah’s Witnesses, gypsies, homosexuals, and others were arrested for minor infractions.
• In Feb 1934, the was abolished, transferring state powers under the Chancellor.
5. Trade Unions Banned - 2 May 1933
Trade Union offices were shut, funds seized, and leaders imprisoned. Hitler created the (German Labour Front), which cut wages and banned strikes.
6. Political Parties Banned - 14 July 1933
The outlawed all parties except the Nazis. Leaders of opposition parties were jailed.
7. Night of the Long Knives - 30 June 1934
The SA, Hitler’s paramilitary, became a liability. , its leader, advocated a Socialist revolution and army takeover. Hitler ordered the SS to kill 400+ SA members, eliminating this threat.
8. Führer - 19 August 1934
When Hindenburg died, Hitler combined the roles of President and Army leader. Soldiers swore loyalty to Hitler personally, who now called himself 'Führer'.
The Nazis described their rise to power in 193-34 as a 'power-grab' (MACHTERGREIFUNG) as – after becoming Chancellor in Jan 1933 – Hitler turned this democratic position into a dictatorship by legal manipulation, terror, and propaganda.
Eight Steps to Becoming Dictator
1. Reichstag Fire - 27 Feb 1933
The Reichstag burned down; Dutch Communist van der LUBBE was blamed. Historians debate if Nazis staged it. Hitler exploited the fire to justify a police state:
a. Issued the Reichstag FIRE DECREE, suspending civil rights and banning political groups.
b. Arrested thousands of KPD/SDP opponents, incl. KPD leader Ernst Thälmann.
c. Sent political prisoners to makeshift concentration camps, boosting Nazi support.
d. Banned KPD candidates but kept their names on ballots to confuse voters.
e. Launched anti-KPD propaganda.
f. Stormtroopers attacked Jews and opposition groups.
g. Trial of van der Lubbe (executed) embarrassed Nazis as acquitted defendants exposed Nazi lies.
h. Set up VOLKSGERICHTSHOF
('People's Courts') to ensure favourable verdicts.
i. Historians have interpreted the Fire as the 'opening act' of Nazi terror, as Hitler's constitutional foundation, and to the Nazi regime’s destructive rise.
2. General Election - 5 March 1933
Hitler held elections but won only 44% of votes. He arrested 81 COMMUNIST deputies, securing a majority. Goering became Speaker of the Reichstag.
3. Enabling Act - 23 March 1933
The Reichstag gave Hitler power to make laws. Stormtroopers threatened opposition MPs. Misconceptions:
• Entitled 'Act to relieve the DISTRESS OF THE PEOPLE and of the Reich' = not an open power-grab.
• Similar acts existed pre-1933 but ‘spun’ to the world as a necessity.
• Whilst it gave the Cabinet wide-ranging powers, it included explicit LIMITATIONS – Hitler established his dictatorship by illegally ignoring it..
4. Local Government & Police - 26 April 1933
• Nazis took over local govts & police, replaced anti-Nazi officials, and set up the GESTAPO. Germans were encouraged to report dissenters. Jews, Communists, Protestants, Jehovah’s Witnesses, gypsies, homosexuals, and others were arrested for minor infractions.
• In Feb 1934, the REICHSRAT was abolished, transferring state powers under the Chancellor.
5. Trade Unions Banned - 2 May 1933
Trade Union offices were shut, funds seized, and leaders imprisoned. Hitler created the DEUTSCHE ARBEITSFRONT (German Labour Front), which cut wages and banned strikes.
6. Political Parties Banned - 14 July 1933
The LAW AGAINST THE FORMATION OF PARTIES outlawed all parties except the Nazis. Leaders of opposition parties were jailed.
7. Night of the Long Knives - 30 June 1934
The SA, Hitler’s paramilitary, became a liability. ROHM, its leader, advocated a Socialist revolution and army takeover. Hitler ordered the SS to kill 400+ SA members, eliminating this threat.
8. Führer - 19 August 1934
When Hindenburg died, Hitler combined the roles of President and Army leader. Soldiers swore loyalty to Hitler personally, who now called himself 'Führer'.
