Gleichschaltung How the Nazi Party and Adolf Hitler established a totalitarian government in Germany

Hitler with Hindenburg January 30, 1933 President Paul von Hindenburg names Adolf Hitler as Chancellor of Germany Hitler with Hindenburg

February 27, 1933 – The Reichstag Fire

February 27, 1933 Reichstag Fire Decree Hermann Goering called the Reichstag Fire a communist plot to over throw the state. (Communist plot or Nazi ploy? Inconclusive) Adolf Hitler convinced Pres. Hindenburg to issue the Reichstag Fire Decree This decree: suspended constitutional rights and created a state of emergency President can now issue a decree without Reichstag approval Nazis deputize the SA; SA arrests political opponents

March 24, 1933 – The Enabling Act The Cabinet (Hitler) may enact laws without the Reichstag

March 24, 1933 – The Enabling Act This law required a vote of two-thirds of the Reichstag The Nazis intimidated the Reichstag to ensure the law passed After the Reichstag Fire Decree the SA arrested Nazi political opponents – Communist Party members, some Social Democrats were placed in “protective” detention camps SS and SA members were placed around the Reichstag Chamber (now meeting in the Kroll Opera House) to intimidate non-NSDAP party members into voting for the Enabling Act

NSADP: Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei Adolf Hitler Nazi Party Leader Reich Chancellor Joseph Goebbels Minister of Propganda Ernst Rohm SA Chief of Staff Sturmabteilung (SA) Nazi Paramilitary Org Heinrich Himmler Reichsführer-SS Schutzstaffel (SS) Reinhard Heydrich Chief of Reich Main Security Office Sicherheitsdienst (SD)

Night of the Long Knives (June 30 – July 2, 1934) Gov’t (Hindenburg) feared SA had become too powerful Reichswehr (army) feared the SA might remove its officers Himmler, Heydrich and Goering conspired against the SA and Rohm June 30, Himmler orders the SS to eliminate political opponents Ernst Rohm, Hitler’s friend, is killed on July 1 July 3 – Reich Cabinet issues a law making the murders legal Called a “emergency” to save the nation Joseph Goebbels launches propaganda campaign Purge was needed to remove traitors, Rohm, and his homosexuals

Paul von Hindenburg dies August 2, 1934 Funeral

Fuhrer Hitler and the Nazis announced the following law, dated as of August 1, 1934. "The Reich Government has enacted the following law which is hereby promulgated. Section 1. The office of Reich President will be combined with that of Reich Chancellor. The existing authority of the Reich President will consequently be transferred to the Fuhrer and Reich Chancellor, Adolf Hitler. He will select his deputy. Section 2. This law is effective as of the time of the death of Reich President von Hindenburg."