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Y221: Democracy and Dictatorships in Germany 1919–1963

The establishment of the Nazi Dictatorship and its domestic policies Feb 1933–1939 — seizing and holding power

  • 2 things to know
  • Unit group 2

Overview

Recall questions on the Reichstag Fire, the Enabling Act, Gleichschaltung, the one-party state, the Night of the Long Knives, Hitler’s move on Hindenburg’s death, Nazi government, Goebbels’s propaganda and the machinery of terror.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started
Who and when

Why did Hitler destroy the SA leadership in the Night of the Long Knives, and who besides Röhm died?

Key term

Why is the Nazi system of government often described as chaotic rather than efficient?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    How did Hitler exploit the Reichstag Fire of 27 February 1933?

    Model answer

    He blamed a communist plot and had Hindenburg sign the Decree for the Protection of People and State, which suspended civil liberties and allowed the mass arrest of communists days before the election.

  2. 2

    What did the Enabling Act of March 1933 allow, and how was the necessary majority obtained?

    Model answer

    It let the cabinet make laws without the Reichstag or the President for four years; communist deputies were already arrested or in hiding, the SA intimidated the chamber and the Centre Party was bought off with promises about the Church, so it passed by 444 votes to 94.

  3. 3

    Define Gleichschaltung and give one example of it in practice.

    Model answer

    It was the co-ordination of German institutions under Nazi control, seen in the April 1933 civil service law that removed Jewish and politically unreliable officials.

  4. 4

    Describe how Germany became a one-party state during 1933.

    Model answer

    Trade unions were abolished in May and the other parties were dissolved or banned, and in July a law forbade the formation of any new party.

  5. 5

    What did Hitler do on Hindenburg's death in August 1934?

    Model answer

    He merged the offices of President and Chancellor as Führer and Reich Chancellor, and every soldier swore a personal oath of loyalty to him.

  6. 6

    Why is the Nazi system of government often described as chaotic rather than efficient?

    Model answer

    Party and state agencies with overlapping powers competed for Hitler's favour, the cabinet stopped meeting, and officials made policy by trying to anticipate what the Führer wanted.

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