1. HITLER IN
POWER

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