Evaluate the Success of the Nazi attempt to change German society politically, economically and socially between 1933-39

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Evaluate the Success of the Nazi Attempt to change German society politically, economically and socially between 1933-39?

After WW1 and the unsuccessful Weimar years, the rise to power of the Nazi party was one of unexpected and alluring force with lasting intimidation. Key events that occurred after Hitler became chancellor, where instrumental in gaining complete control over the nation of Germany. “The Nazis tried to exploit the divisions, to be all things to all men…to create a Nazi organisation for doctors, lawyers, teachers, war pensioners, civil servants and farmers.” Norling B.N, 1992. There were several political, economic and social factors between the 1993-39 that changed the foundations of the German government to accommodate the needs and expectations of the nazi’s.

Politically,  once Hitler became chancellor in the 1933 elections, he was quick to enforce new ideologies and polices upon the people of Germany. With plans to turn the republic into the third Reich, he established his dictatorship first by abolishing important elements of the Weimar constitution. In February 1933 he proposed the “Enabling act” ( A law for the removal of the distress of people and state). A bill was proposed to alter the constitution and give the government authority to pass laws without the need to refer to the president, for the next four years, to issue laws regardless of the Reichstag. Hitler claimed that the government needed this power in order to deal with the great problems confronting the nation. The SPD (social democratic party) opposed this bill with claims that “No enabling law gives you the power to destroy ideas that are eternal and indestructible” Otto Wels leader of the SPD 1933. But Hitler won the vote with the center party and the nationalists on his side. He claimed in his proposal to congress “The government will only make use of these powers in so far as they are essential for carrying out vitally necessary measures”. With the passage of the enabling act in march 1933, Hitler achieved dictatorial powers. It had been done under the cover of legality and by the real threat of violence. Hitler was now independent of the Reichstag and other political powers, as a law became a law simply by it being announced so by the government.

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With the introduction of the enabling act, there was no longer any role for opposing political parties in Germany. Hitler cleverly used his powers to eliminate all opposition, by banning it. The German communist party and the social democratic party had been declared illegal, with its property confiscated and its seats in the Reichstag declared invalid. What was left was the Democratic Party, whom dissolved itself on June the 28th, the German nationalist party was dismissed from cabinet a day later and in early July the German peoples party was abolished. Finally, the center party, who was a key ...

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