Hitler was clever during this time and didn’t always result to violent measures he managed to gain the support of the Centre Party who would agree to support the decree if Hitler promised he would protect the Catholic Church and respect its morals. Here Hitler has gained more support and has a stronger chance of holding onto his power through promises.
Leading up to the passing of the enabling act Hitler and the Nazis had managed to gain control over most of the German media such as radio and newspapers which he used to rally as much support as possible. The Hitler and the Nazis also had control of the state police another Nazi Goering was in charge of the Prussian police force and were able to appoint many auxiliary police officers, who were usually from the SS and SA, which legalized violence against any left-wing opponents. During this time 69 Germans had been killed and by the end of April, 25,000 people were in ‘protective custody’.
However the Nazis did not just use terror and intimidation in January Hitler manages to persuade Hindenburg to dissolve the Reichstag and call fresh elections (Hitler wanted a two- thirds majority so he could pass an Enabling Act and create a dictatorship) this would do more than help the Nazis keep hold of the power they have it would give them full control over the whole of Germany.
In February Hitler meets with military leaders and promises them that they will have rearmament and conscription will be introduced. Also the army will not be asked to intervene in the event of social unrest. In this time Hitler had managed to gain the support of the army and clear the way for him and the Nazis to use their terror and intimidation on the streets without being questioned by the army.
Also in February Hitler meets with 20 leading industrialists who are willing to give the Nazi campaign 3 million Reich marks. Hitler guarantees sanctity of private property and a crush of Marxism. He will also abolish free trade unions and talks about raising the car industry with a huge road-building scheme and tax relief incentives.
During the March Reichstag elections the Nazis campaign slogan in ‘Attack on Marxism’ which sees their share of the vote increase to 43.9% gaining them 288 seats still short of the two-thirds majority. Their campaign slogan had also helped them keep their hold. However their poster does have a violent idea behind it.
On March 21st-Potsdam Day is held at the Potsdam garrison church, Hindenburg, Hitler and leading generals are the guest of honor, with Hitler attending in a suit. Nazi paramilitaries and symbols are kept out of sight. This was an attempt by the Nazis to align National Socialism with traditional conservatism by using a church and wearing a suit the Nazis were showing that they were non-violent and did still have links with traditional conservatism which appealed to many Germans who had not liked the violent and more radical Nazis.
On 23rd of March the Enabling Act was passed and the Nazis had managed to gain full control over Germany using a mix of terror and intimidation with the less-violent means.
