1933 - 1938

1. HITLER IN POWER 1933 - 1938

2. You will learn…….. • How Hitler strengthened his power in 1933-1934 • How he influenced the lives of Germans between 1933 and 1939 • How and why the Jewish people in Germany suffered under his rule • “Totalitarian Dictatorship”

3. Introduction • 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

4. The 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

5. The Reichstag Fire • Hitler, however, was determined to stay • Went about making sure he had complete power • How?

6. The 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

7. The 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

8. The 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

9. The 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

10. The Reichstag Fire • Results of election • Nazis obtained 43% • With the help of the Nationalist party, managed to scrap through an overall majority of 51%

11. The Enabling Act, 1933 • Hitler now schemed to have the Reichstag give up its powers and rule as a dictator • To do this, the Reichstag had to pass an “Enabling Act” which required 2/3 majority • Hitler achieved this. • How do you think he did it?

12. The Enabling Act, 1933 3 WAYS • Banned communist deputies from coming to the Reichstag so they could not use their votes • Persuaded the Centre Party to vote for the Act by giving vague promises • Using the votes of his allies, the Nationalist Party

13. The End of Democracy in Germany • Because of the Enabling Act, democracy died in Germany • Other political parties were banned • Trade Unions taken over by the Nazis • Press, radio and cinema placed under total Nazi control

14. The End of Democracy in Germany • Opponents arrested, imprisoned or killed • Concentration camps and forced labour camps • SS and Gestapo struck terror into many Nazi opponents • Many fled the country eg Albert Einstein and the writer Thomas Mann

15. The Night of the Long Knives 1934 • Hitler wanted to have complete power within his own party • Ernst Rohm, leader of the SA, was disappointed • Not given a more important role in the new government • Started to create trouble for Hitler • Hitler decide to get rid of him and many of his followers • How would you do that if you were Hitler?

16. The Night of the Long Knives 1934 • Hitler called the leaders of the SA to a special conference • During the night, he had them dragged out of bed and shot • On the same night, many other opponents all over Germany suffered the same fate • No public protests – demonstrated Hitler’s power and the people’s fear • This became known as the Night of the Long Knives

17. The Night of the Long Knives 1934 • 2 months later, President Hindenberg died • Hitler combined the jobs of Chancellor and President • He also became commander in chief of the armed forces • He was now the supreme dictator of Germany