1. How and why did Hitler consolidate his power in 1933 & 1934?
By the end of the lesson you will have:
Listed the events in Hitler’s consolidation of power
Examined the evidence as to why Hitler was trying to consolidate his power in 1933/4
Analysed sources showing how and why Hitler consolidated his power

2. Use the captions (and images) to story board / timeline Hitler’s consolidation of power.
Feb. 1933
Hitler arranged new elections for March He hoped to win a huge victory and get a majority in the Reichstag. As Chancellor he now controlled most newspapers and radio stations. He controlled the police and used them to beat opponents and intimidate voters.
27th Feb 1933
A week before voting day the Reichstag burned down. Marinus Van der Lubbe, a young communist, is blamed and arrested. Hitler claims it was a communist plot and that he could deal with it.
1st March 1933
President Hindenburg had the power to make new laws without Reichstag agreement. Hitler persuaded Hindenburg to pass a “Protection Law” giving Hitler power to deal with the ‘Communist plot’.
March 1933
The ‘Law for the Protection of the People and State’ banned leading Communists for campaigning for the election. Four thousand were imprisoned and their newspapers were closed.
The Nazis got more votes than ever before, but still not an outright majority.
23rd March 1933
Hitler had scared the Nationalist Party enough to get them to join with the Nazis, finally giving him a majority. Hitler used this to pass the Enabling Law. This allowed him to make laws without Reichstag agreement.
7th April 1933
Hitler immediately started using his new powers. Nazis were put in charge of all local governments, councils and the police. The Gestapo (secret police) were established.
2nd May 1933
Hitler banned all trade unions. He took their money and put their leaders in jail. Workers no longer had a way of complaining about their pay or conditions.
14th July 1933
Hitler banned all political parties except the Nazis. The ‘Law against the formation of new parties’ stated that anyone trying to set up or run another party would go to prison for 3 years. Germany was no w a one party state.
2nd August 1934
President Hindenburg died. Hitler immediately took over the president’s job, as well as remaining Chancellor. He made the army swear an oath of loyalty to him and he started to use the title Der Fuhrer – the leader!
Worksheet is available as a word document!
Use Walsh, page 275 to add any additional dates and details.

3. Night of the Long Knives, 30th June 1934
SHP White Germany text book pages 70 – 73 for source analysis
Was there a plot by Ernst Rohm to seize power or was Hitler setting an example to other potential opposition?
Complete the source analysis exercise on pages 70 – 73 of SHP Germany

4. How and why did Hitler consolidate his power in 1933 & 1934?
Now check that you have:
Listed the events in Hitler’s consolidation of power
Examined the evidence as to why Hitler was trying to consolidate his power in 1933/4
Analysed sources showing how and why Hitler consolidated his power