1. The Nazi Consolidation of Power 1933-1934

2. Lesson objectives By the end of this lesson you should: Understand the events that helped Hitler consolidate his position as Fuhrer by 1934 Have made a judgement about Hitler’s actions during the consolidation

3. Hitler’s position in 1933 In pairs, you have no more than 10 words to summarise the strengths/weaknesses of Hitler’s position in January 1933

4. The events Prepare a timeline of the key events between January 1933 and Aug 1934. Write a short description of what happened and its significance. Comment on the nature of each event – was it legal (L)? Was force (F) required? Was there a compromise (C)? SHP p.170-1 as main source, Layton p.8-10 to add detail

5. Step 4 - Local government (26 April 1933) The Nazis took over local government and the police. The Nazis started to replace anti-Nazi teachers and University professors. Hitler set up the Gestapo (the secret police) and encouraged Germans to report opponents and 'grumblers'. Tens of thousands of Jews, Communists, Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, gypsies, homosexuals, alcoholics and prostitutes were arrested and sent to concentration camps for 'crimes' as small as writing anti-Nazi graffiti, possessing a banned book, or saying that business was bad.

6. Step 5 - Trade Unions banned (2 May 1933) The Trade Unions offices were closed, their money confiscated, and their leaders put in prison. In their place, Hitler put the German Labour Front (DAF). He also set up a public works programme (road building – autobahn) to create jobs.

7. Step 6 - Political Parties banned (14 July 1933) The Law against the Formation of Parties declared the Nazi Party the only political party in Germany. All other parties were banned, and their leaders were put in prison.

8. Step 7- Night of the Long Knives (30 June 1934) The SA were the thugs who Hitler had used to help him come to power. They had defended his meetings, and attacked opponents. By 1934 there were more than a million of them. Historians have often wondered why Hitler turned on the SA. But Hitler was in power in 1934, and there was no opposition left - the SA were an embarrassment, not an advantage. Also, Rohm, the leader of the SA, was talking about a Socialist revolution and about taking over the army. On the night of 30 June 1934 - codeword 'Hummingbird - Hitler ordered the SS to kill more than 400 SA men. Why do you think Hitler turned on the SA?

9. Powerful institutions When Hitler took power in 1933, there were 3 main conservative forces in German society which shared his anti-democratic values but were not fully in agreement with Nazi ideology: 1.The army 2.The leaders of big business enterprises 3.The professional civil service Did Hitler deal effectively with these groups in his consolidation of power? How – through conciliation or suppression?

10. judgements 1.‘Once in power, nothing prevented Hitler from imposing his ideas on Germany.’ (Ati, Omar, Chris) 2.‘Hitler took a mixture of radical and more cautious measures.’ (Quinten, Jonathan, Jamie) 3.‘Where he took more drastic measures, it tended to be policies which the elite welcomed, and which weakened the Left.’ (Mohammed, Rohan, Oli) 4.‘Within the first year Hitler established complete control of all key institutions.’ (Ben, Michael, Matt, Will) 5.‘Hitler was prepared to compromise on areas not crucial to him.’ (Shiv, Myles, Alex, Ahsan) In your groups, you must decide to what extent you agree with your statement and use evidence and examples to explain why

11. judgements Now write your own judgement about Hitler’s actions and motivations during the consolidation of power

12. homework Learn the order of the events of the consolidation, preferably with month and year for the key ones You will be tested at the start of next lesson! Due: 25/09