Hitler consolidates power, 1933–34 Cambridge IGCSE History revision
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In plain words
In January 1933 Hitler was a chancellor who could be sacked by an old man. Eighteen months later he was the Führer, answerable to no one, and the army had sworn loyalty to him personally. He did it in five steps, and almost all of them were legal.
8 things to know
- On 27 February 1933 the Reichstag building was set on fire. A young Dutch communist was caught at the scene. Hitler claimed that it was the start of a communist rising.
- He persuaded Hindenburg to sign an emergency decree that suspended civil rights. The police could now arrest people without trial. Thousands of communists were arrested.
- In the election of March 1933 the Nazis won 288 seats, with the SA intimidating opponents. It was their best result, though still not a majority on their own.
- On 23 March the Reichstag passed the Enabling Act, which gave Hitler the power to make laws without the Reichstag for four years. The Communists had been banned from attending, and only the Social Democrats voted against it. Germany was now a dictatorship.
- Opposition was removed. Trade unions were banned in May 1933. In July all parties except the Nazis were banned, and Germany became a one-party state.
- The SA, now about three million strong under Röhm, was a danger to Hitler. Röhm wanted the SA to take over the army, and the generals were alarmed.
- On 30 June 1934, the Night of the Long Knives, Hitler had Röhm and other SA leaders shot by the SS, along with some old opponents. He won the support of the army.
- On 2 August 1934 President Hindenburg died. Hitler combined the posts of chancellor and president and took the title of Führer. The soldiers of the army swore an oath of loyalty to him personally.
Worked example
"The Enabling Act was the most important step in Hitler's consolidation of power." How far do you agree? Plan a 10-mark answer.
- Agree: it gave Hitler the legal power to make any law. Everything that followed, such as the ban on unions and on other parties, rested on it.
- Other steps: the Reichstag Fire decree came first and made the Act possible, by removing the Communists. The Night of the Long Knives won him the army. Hindenburg's death removed the last person who could dismiss him.
- Judgement: the Enabling Act was the legal foundation of the dictatorship, but Hitler was secure only once the army was his, in the summer of 1934.
Tips and tricks
- Five steps in order: Reichstag Fire (February 1933), Enabling Act (March 1933), ban on parties (July 1933), Night of the Long Knives (June 1934), death of Hindenburg (August 1934).
- Know why Hitler turned on his own SA: to win the army, which feared Röhm. The army's oath to Hitler was the reward.
It lands in your notebook with its questions as flashcards.
Hitler consolidates power, 1933–34: 5 questions and answers
These are the quiz’s questions. Do the quiz first, then come back here for the ones that got you.
What happened on 27 February 1933?
Hitler blamed the Communists.
Which party voted against the Enabling Act?
The Communists had been barred from attending.
Who was killed in the Night of the Long Knives?
It took place on 30 June 1934.
What title did Hitler take after Hindenburg's death?
He combined the posts of chancellor and president.
Why was the army's oath of loyalty to Hitler so significant?Stretch
Soldiers swore loyalty to a man, not to the constitution.
Quiz
5 questions
Tap an answer and you’ll see straight away whether it’s right, and why.
Worksheet
3 questions, 16 marks. Write your answers on paper, then check them.
Hitler consolidates power, 1933–34
Cambridge IGCSE History 0470 · 16 marks · papermunch.org
Name ______________________________ Date ______________
What was the Enabling Act?[4]
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It was a law passed by the Reichstag on 23 March 1933. It gave Hitler the power to make laws without the Reichstag for four years. The Communists were prevented from voting, and only the Social Democrats voted against it. It made Hitler a legal dictator.
Why was the Reichstag Fire important?[6]
Show answerHide answer
Hitler blamed it on the Communists, and claimed that a revolution was about to begin. He persuaded Hindenburg to pass an emergency decree that suspended civil rights and allowed arrest without trial. Thousands of Communists and other opponents were arrested just before the March election, which helped the Nazis to increase their vote and to pass the Enabling Act.
Why did Hitler order the Night of the Long Knives?[6]
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Röhm and the SA wanted a more radical revolution, and wanted the SA to take over the army. The army's generals saw the SA as a threat, and Hitler needed the army's support. The violence of the SA was also alarming businessmen. By destroying its leaders, Hitler removed a rival and won the loyalty of the army.
Answers: Hitler consolidates power, 1933–34
- 1. It was a law passed by the Reichstag on 23 March 1933. It gave Hitler the power to make laws without the Reichstag for four years. The Communists were prevented from voting, and only the Social Democrats voted against it. It made Hitler a legal dictator.
- 2. Hitler blamed it on the Communists, and claimed that a revolution was about to begin. He persuaded Hindenburg to pass an emergency decree that suspended civil rights and allowed arrest without trial. Thousands of Communists and other opponents were arrested just before the March election, which helped the Nazis to increase their vote and to pass the Enabling Act.
- 3. Röhm and the SA wanted a more radical revolution, and wanted the SA to take over the army. The army's generals saw the SA as a threat, and Hitler needed the army's support. The violence of the SA was also alarming businessmen. By destroying its leaders, Hitler removed a rival and won the loyalty of the army.