The Enabling Law The election took place in March - though Hitler was convinced it would be the last. Hitler did not get the number of votes he wanted but he did get enough to get over a 50% majority in the Reichstag: 17 m voted for the Nazis After the burning down of the Reichstag, politicians had nowhere to meet. The Kroll Opera House in Berlin was chosen. This was a relatively small round building - perfect for meetings. On March 23rd, elected officials were due to meet to discuss and vote on Hitler's Enabling Law. The law basically stated that any bill only needed Hitler's signature and within 24 hours that bill would become law in Germany. With only Nazis and other right wing politicians inside the Kroll Opera House, the bill was quickly passed into law
Nazis take over Local Government On 7th April 1933, Nazi officials were put in charge of all local government in the provinces.
keeping an eye on troublemakers Gestapo formed The Geheime Staatspolizei,or GESTAPO, was first established in Prussia on 26 April 1933 by Goering, with the mission of carrying out the duties of political police with or in place of the ordinary police authorities. The secret police paid informers to spy on troublemakers and report any suspicious behaviour.
Trade Unions abolished On May 2nd 1933, trades unions were abolished, their funds taken and their leaders put in prison. The workers were given a May Day holiday in return.
Political Parties banned On July 14th 1933, a law was passed making it illegal to form a new political party. It also made the Nazi Party the only legal political party in Germany.
Press gagged In October 1933, the Nazis gained control over the press with the Reich Press law, which enabled them to censor any reports which they disliked.
Reichsrat abolished The states lost even more power in January 1934 when the Reichsrat (the upper house of the parliament) was abolished. The Reichsrat had represented the states.
Rivals murdered The most explicit demonstration of Hitler’s power came on June 30, 1934, Hitler carried out a purge that killed a number of dissident Nazi leaders and other opponents. This incident known as the Night of the Long Knives showed that Hitler’s power had grown to such an extent that he literally could ‘get away with murder’
Hindenberg’s death The death of President Hindenburg in August 1934, allowed him to combine both chancellor's and president's positions into one when Hitler became the Fuhrer and Reich Chancellor.
