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Consolidation of power - Coggle Diagram
Consolidation of power
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limitations faced
Hindenburg wasn't prepared to support Hitler's appointment until he ensured chancellor position was limited
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Only 2 other Nazis in cabinet of 12 Wilhelm Frick-minister of interior- Goring- no specific responsibility Other non Nazis all had conservative nationalist backgrounds army industry landowners
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Chancellors position was dependent on whim of Hindenburg- also army/ trade unions could organise coup/ strike
Strengths-Within months Hitler got past all of these weaknesses while following the policy of legality his strengths were:
Leader of largest political party in Germany- ignoring him led to failed Papen/ Schleicher govforced conservatives to work with him- alternative to Hitler was civil war/ communism
Nazi party had now gained access to resources of the state. Goring was minister of interior of Prussia- had power over police
Goebbels - 'radio and press are at our disposal'
Hitler was a political tactician- in contrast papen= politically naive- Hitler couldn't be tamed
Reichstag elections March 5th 1933- Within 24 hours of Hitlers appointment he called for new Reichstag elections- felt it would increase Nazi vote/ enhance own status
According to Weimar constitution- campaign for final Reichstag elections had little democratic elements- violence and terrow with socialist and communist meetings being broken up by Nazis
Reichstag elections p2-Used hate and fear in propaganda- in Hitlers appeal to German people- blamed prevailing economic issues on democratic gov and terrorist activities on communists- showed his gov as a peaceful 'national uprising'- played to peoples wants but didn't commit himself to details of a political and economic programme
Reichstag Fire-As Reichstag campaign reached climax Reichstag Fire happened- 27th February Reichstag building was set on fire- Marinus Van der Lubbe arrested for incriminating circumstances- at time many believed it was a Nazi plot to further communist hate- investigation in 1962- concluded der Lubbe had acted alone but he was acquitted 18 years later by Berlin authorities
Reichstag Fire impacts-On 28th Frick drew up and Hindenburg signed 'Decree for protection of people and state- suspended right to an assembly, freedom of speech, freedom of press and other constitutional protections eg all restraints on police investigations- power of central gov strengthened- justification was communist threat
Reichstag election result- Germany went to polls - 5 March election had high turnout- 88%- suggests SA intimidation, corruption by officials and increased gov control of radio
Vote only increased from 33.1% to 43.9%- secured 288 seats- could claim majority with 52 seats won by nationalists- political blow- any change in Weimar constitution required 2/3 majority in Reichstag