the Weimar constitution controlled what he could do Hindenburg retained all the powers of the president only 2/12 of the cabinet were Nazis they still only had about a third of the reichstag

27 feb 1933

Marius van der lubbe ( a dutch communist )

he was executed

used it as an oppurtunity to attack the communists, claiming that he was a part of a communist conspiracy against the government. 4,000 communists were arrested on the night of the Reichstag fire

he pressured Hindenburg into declaring a state of emergency, Hitler could now use decrees to govern Germany. he also persuaded Hindenburg to call an election for the 5th of march 1933, he hoped for more votes for the Nazis in the Reichstag

he declared the decree for the protection of the people and the state, he could imprison political opponents and ban communist newspapers. he ensured the police turned a blind eye to the violence of the SA he persuaded Krupp and other wealthy industrialists to bankroll the Nazi campaign, 3 million marks were raised in just one meeting

Hitler’s seats had increased to 288 (1/3 to 2/3 majority) he banned the communist party from taking their 81 seats

the Reich cabinet could pass new laws these laws could overrule the constitution of the republic the laws would be proposed by the chancellor - Hitler

he intimidated the Reichstag using the SA as he had banned the communist party from taking their 81 seats there were no communists present

trade unions, political parties and local governments

Nazis broke into trade union offices and arrested their leaders he used his new powers to ban trade unions and made strikes illegal

he entered the offices of the SDP and the communist party and destroyed their newspapers and confiscated all of their funds he issued a decree making all parties in Germany illegal, apart from the NSDAP

he wanted to strengthen the government in Berlin and weaken local government in Germany he abolished the lander governments set up by the Weimar Republic and declared that governors, appointed by him, would control each region

he had merged the SA with an army veterans group, SA now had 3 million members. 60% of them were unemployed and claimed they felt undervalued by Hitler. Therefore, these embittered SA soldiers were loyal to Rohm, putting him in an ideal position to challenge Hitler. Rohm also opposed Hitler’s policies and his ties with the wealthy industrialists such as Bosch and Krupp. He wanted more socialist policies and taxes on the rich.

German army officers felt threatened - their armies only had 100,000 men whereas Rohm had 3 million. They believed that Rohm wanted the SA to replace the army. Leaders of the SS - such as Himmler resented Rohm. They wanted to increase the power of the SS.

1934, leaders of the SS and the army warned Hitler that Rohm was planning to seize power

Hitler arranged a meeting with Rohm and 100 other SA leaders at a hotel in Bavaria when they arrived, Rohm and the other leaders were arrested, imprisoned and shot.

Von Papen protested to Goering. However he was told that the SS had everything under control. BUT, SS squads had arrived at Von Papen’s office before he did, shot his press secretary and arrested his staff. his home was surrounded and telephone cut off. he no longer had ‘Hitler in his pocket’.

goering announced that they had discovered Rohm was planning a ‘second revolution’ to replace Hitler, so their actions towards him were warranted. some people objected to the killings, but few knew how bad it was. most were grateful that the SA, hated for their brutality, had been restrained.

Hindenburg died, aged 87. Hitler declared himself Fuhrer and decreed that he would gain all the powers of the president and retain those he held as chancellor. He forced an oath of loyalty from every soldier in the army.