1. The Nazi Seizure of Power
The Third Reich
The Nazi Seizure of Power

2. Problem: how and why?
NSDAP as a relatively small group – one of many ‘volkish”/nationalist elements, kicking around in the early 1920s
How and why was it able to
come to power in 1933?
Consolidate power within six months?
Establish a totalitarian regime by 1936?

3. Possible explanations:
German culture:
deep-seated authoritarianism,
fragmentation/divisions
Fragility of Weimar Republic
Hitler’s skill/charisma
Use of propaganda

4. Hitler Disaffected Austrian, social misfit
Serves in German army in World War I
After war, one more ex-soldier in streets of Munich, haranguing about defeat
Becomes leader of a small party, NSDAP National Socialist Workers Party

5. Ideology or Weltanshaung
Supremacy of Aryan race
Nationalism/Romanticism
Establishment of new order
Anti-Semitism
Need of Germany to expand to the east (lebensraum)
Importance of struggle
Fuhrer principle
Vague anti-capitalism –promises of something better for everyone

6. Early years Origins as a paramilitary group
1923 Beer Hall Putsch, arrest and imprisonment as a turning point
From , pursuit of legality
Emphasis on building up party, while propagating message
Organization increasingly refined, with subsections for different occupations, broader contacts with society

7. Gaining power Impact of depression Divisions among parties
Collapse of SPD-led government ( )
Elections of 1930: NSDAP gains 18%,
Brüning (Centre Party, but no democrat) able to govern only by recourse to presidential emergency power (article 48) of constitution

8. 1932 1932 Presidential election: Hindenburg defeats Hitler 53%-37%
Brüning dismissed, replaced by Von Papen
SPD gov’t in Prussia ousted – Socialists fail to resist
new elections held (NSDAP wins 37%)
Nationalists attempt to form governments
Von Papen and then Schleicher try to enlist NSDAP in a coalition – Hitler refuses

9.
Following second 1932 election (NSDAP wins 32%) coalition formed with Hitler as chancellor, von Papen as vice-chancellor
Hitler assumes office Jan. 30, 1933
Rapidly consolidates power by successively eliminating his opponents

10. Consolidating power Dividing and ruling
New elections called (Nazis win 44%)
Reichstag fire as pretext for emergency legislation, suspending civil liberties, banning communists from new Reichstag
Enabling Act, 1933 transfers power to chancellor
Centre Party supports, lest it be banned, supplying necessary 2/3 majority

11. Moves against other organizations
Social Democrats banned
Unions promised freedom to pursue economic goals
later reorganized into comprehensive labour front
Centre Party disbands following concordat with Vatican, guaranteeing position of R.C. Church
Nationalists subsequently marginalized --

12. Control of government
Power enhanced by creating new ministries –with Nazis in charge
Enabling Acts used to take control of provincial governments,
Military and business acquiesce
Hitler placates by moving against more radical elements: SA attached and destroyed during Night of Long Knives (June 20, 1934), making way for more disciplined SS

13.
Death of Hindenburg, 1934, allows Hitler to consolidate offices of chancellor and president --
Endorsed by plebiscite:
38 million for, 5 million opposed
Nazi penetration of government structures, social organization enhances control (Gleichschaltung – ‘bring things into line’)
Increasing use of terror by SS., Gestapo

14. Policies and directions
Expansive economic policy – rearmament, public works (construction of autobahns…), creates jobs, reflates economy, generates support
Successive moves against Jews, minorities
Restrictions on numbers of Jews in professions
Nuremberg laws, 1935, remove citizenship
Kristallnacht, 1938
Foundation laid for war
Rearmament in violation of Versailles, 1933
Attempted anschluss with Austria 1934
Reoccupation of Rhineland, 1936

15. The Nazi state Partial fusion of party and state
Hitler at the centre –
remote – issuing vague directions
Numerous empires within the system, SS
Gestapo

16. Why was this possible? Mass attitudes? Attitudes of elites?
Hindenburg, military, monarchists, others…
Fragmentation of Weimar society?
Hitler’s skill?
Success of divide and rule tactics?
Success of propaganda, big lie?
Cumulative radicalization?