One event that the Nazis were able to use to their advantage was the Reichstag fire that occurred in February 1933; it allowed them to strengthen their position and therefore advance their consolidation of power. On the 27th of February, it was reported that van der Lubbe, a Dutch communist, was responsible for setting the Reichstag building on fire. Although at the time some believed the Nazis purposely started the fire to support the claims of a communist coup, the Reichstag Fire was significant in the way that it ultimately resulted in the Nazis exploting it to their advantage. In response to this event, Frick organised the ‘Decree for the Protection of People and State’, with Hindenburg signing it. This resulted in a great deal of civil and political liberties being suspended and to the Nazis advantage, the power of the central government was strengthened. The “excuse” for the passing of this decree was simply as a result of the threat posed by the communists, thus justifying the Nazis’ behaviour. However the Nazi consolidation of power was once again maintained using violence within this situation, as after the final week of the election campaign, hundreds of anti-Nazis were arrested and the violence continued.
As well as violence, terror and the fire at the Reichstag building, Hitler’s decision to call and election on the 5th March 1933 also played a large part in the Nazi consolidation of power; this decision was made within just 24 hours of his appointment as Chancellor. Hitler believed that not only would this consolidate Nazi power, it would also enhance his own personal status within Germany. However, once again, the use of violence was implemented into this, with meetings between socialists and communists being regularly attacked by the Nazis. Within this time period, Goering also used this authority for his own advantage, enrolling an extra 50,000 into the police; the vast majority being members of the SA or SS. However, another Nazi method of consolidating power in the elections was through the atmosphere of fear and hatred implemented into their election propaganda. Hitler lay the foundations of this tone in his ‘Appeal to the German People’ of the 31st of January 2013 where he blamed the poor economic conditions on democratic government and the terrorist activities of the communists; clearly this would portray the Nazis in a positive, strong light whilst repressing any opposition. Moreover, he stirred up the idea of the government as a ‘national uprising’ in an attempt to restore Germany’s pride and unity, this would encourage the continuation of support for the Nazis and contribute to their consolidation of power. The success that this election also brought about for the Nazis was the improved financial situation. Hitler made a promise at a meeting with twenty industrialists to provide three million Reichsmarks. He was evidently aware that he would gain support from more areas of society, thus increasing their power. Boasting this financial support and the use of Goebbels and the media, the Nazis were confident that they would secure a parliamentary majority. Despite this, although the Nazis increased their vote from 33.1 per cent to 43.9 per cent, this result was a political blow as in order to make any change in the current Weimar Constitution required a two-thirds majority in the Reichstag.
However, despite this major constitutional obstacle, Hitler came up with a new way to consolidate Nazi power in 1933, which perhaps challenges the use of violence and terror to a strong extent. He proposed to the new Reichstag an Enabling Law which would effectively eradicate parliamentary procedure and legislation, ultimately transferring full powers to the Chancellor and his government for four years. Unlike their acts of terror, this would enforce the idea of a dictatorship in a method of legality, although the passage of this law was solely dependent on gaining the support (or abstention) of some of the major political parties within Germany in order to give the Nazis a two-thirds majority. As a result of Hitler struggling to contain Nazi popularity in the more regional areas, members were appearing to take the law into their own hands in what could have been a ‘revolution from below’. In response to this threat to destroy Hitler’s image of legality and the antagonising of conservative vested interests, Hitler ensured an act of reassurance was brought about. On the 21st of March at the Potsdam Garrison Church, Goebbels demonstrated a ceremony in celebration of the opening of the Reichstag. In the company of Hindenburg, the Crown Prince and many leading army general’s, Hitler aligned National Socialism with the forces of the old Germany. This was an intellectual method on Hitler’s behalf as it will have suggested that the two forces were indeed more alike than perhaps believed, thus acting as an act of propaganda, therefore securing Nazi power by reassuring leading German’s. Hitler’s final attempt to consolidate Nazi power targeted the Centre Party as a two-third majority was still necessary to pass the Enabling Law. Therefore on the 23rd of March, Hitler gave a speech promising to respect the rights of the Catholic Church as well as to uphold religious and moral values. Somewhat deviously, these were in fact false promises, which the ZP deputies deceived themselves into believing. The end outcome was favourable for the Nazis, with only the SPDs voting against; the Enabling Law was, after a series of effective tactics, passed by 444 to 94 votes. As described by Karl Bracher, the Nazis had effectively led a ‘legal revolution’ to which the German’s had foolish succumbed to. In the space of just a few weeks, Hitler had managed to complete the consolidation of power by legally dismantling the Weimar Constitution and allowing the Nazis to emerge as victorious, preparing for the inevitable totalitarian dictatorship.
In conclusion, I believe that the use of violence and terror were most definitely responsible for the Nazi consolidation of power in 1933. These methods were implemented into the majority of actions in the Nazis attempt to begin a totalitarian dictatorship. Without the help from the brutal SA, many would not have been frightened into voting in the March elections and therefore the Nazis would perhaps have gained an even smaller figure. Moreover, the Nazis aimed to weaken the opposition by using the SA to attack both the socialists and communists, thus allowing them grow further in strength. Furthermore, violence and terror was also seen due to the ‘Decree for the Protection of People and State’, with hundreds of anti-Nazis facing imprisonment and resulting in the violence reaching new heights. Although the Reichstag Fire, the Enabling Act and the March elections all played significant parts in the Nazi consolidation of power, many would not have been achieved and exploited effectively had it not been through the encouragement of violent acts from leading Nazi figures.
by
lucy96 (student)
