Another example of how the Nazi regime used violence to control and terrorise their enemies was the opening of the first concentration camps in Germany. Within the first few months of Hitler's appointment, there was an initial wave of terror as the Nazis began a systematic round-up of political opponents and other anti-Nazis. These early concentration camps included Dachau in southern Germany near Munich and Sachsenhausen near Berlin in the north. They housed an ever increasing number of prisoners who were arrested with vague accusations and given no trial or right of appeal. The early concentration camps were run by the SA, SS and local Nazi leaders and were not as efficiently organised as later ones. As source four states, the Nazis carried out systematic tortures and assassinations against Communists, Poles, and Jews which also helped repress opposition to the regime.
When Dachau was opened in June 1933 by Himmler, it was based around a harsh, forced labour system which was to became the model for all future SS-run concentration camps. Theodore Eicke, who was in charge of organising Dachau, earned the nickname 'Father of the Concentration Camp System', and, based on the early success of Dachau, was appointed by Himmler to become the first Inspector of concentration camps. Although most of the smaller 'wild' concentration camps were eventually shut down and replaced by larger ones built on the Dachau model, the existence of these early versions and the rumours surrounding them instilled a strong sense of fear among all Germans and succeeded in suppressing any political opposition to the Nazi regime.
Meanwhile, the Nazis were eager to advance the process of Gleichschaltung, and since German organised labour potentially posed a major threat to Nazism, Hitler arranged for the destruction of the trade unions. On 2 May 1933, the SA and SS took by force the trade union premises and the main leaders were arrested and imprisoned. Source four gives further detail about the Nazis strategy of violence against the Left. Hermann Goering hired 50,000 auxiliary policemen, mostly SA members, who committed acts of violence against their political opponents. Communists, Socialist militants and trade unionists were all attacked in a series of violent struggles involving the authorities.
In March 1933 the first wave of anti-Jewish violence took place, with Jews being harassed and their possessions confiscated. On the 1 April, this was followed by a boycott on Jewish-owned businesses. This campaign was led by Nazi Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels, who urged for all Germans to avoid using Jewish shops. The boycott was justified as a legitimate response to the anti-German "atrocity propaganda" being spread abroad, especially in the USA, by "international Jewry." Although the boycott was unsuccessful and came to an end within several days, it was followed by a series of laws which robed Jews of many rights. Another key part of the Nazi consolidation of power was the dissolution of all other political parties. The ultimate aim of Gleichschaltung was to establish authoritarian rule within a one- party state. The Nazis therefore passed a law on 14 July 1933 which proclaimed the NSDAP as the only legal party in Germany.
The biggest threat Hitler faced during this period came from demands for a second, more radical revolution from ranks within his own party. The violence and terror campaigns carried out by the SA, had so far played an essential part in the consolidation of power. However, Hitler was increasingly concerned that the violent behaviour of party activists might alienate the establishment. Once the first few violent months were over, and the violence had subsided, there was no formal role for the SA in Germany. Hitler had proclaimed that the revolution was over and he now needed change from above, not from below. The leader of the SA, Ernst Roehm, with over two million storm-troopers at his command also constituted a great threat to Hitler's political position, which provided Hitler with another reason to eliminate the SA leadership.
Following a speech by Hitler which called for an end to the revolution and more moderate actions, demands rose from the SA for further revolutionary action and an extension of Gleichschaltung to all areas of German life. Roehm and the SA wanted a genuine national socialism and also hoped to integrate the Army and the SA into a people's militia. However, the Army saw such a plan as a threat to their traditional role and status. For a while Hitler was torn between the two opposing sides, but he realised the necessity of securing the support of the Army for the survival of the Nazi regime. By reaching an agreement with Army generals to take action against the SA, Hitler would be able to remove the threat of a second revolution and secure his personal position. On 30 June, Roehm and the other leaders of the SA were shot by the SS, with the help of the Army. Old scores were also settled when Gregor Strasser and General von Schleicher were also both killed. Source three describes the events in the run-up to the purge, while source one demonstrates how the Nazis used violence as a strategy to achieve their goals. By removing a political rival and quelling the threat of second revolution, Hitler had successfully secured his position as Fuhrer and consolidated the Nazi regime.
Following the events of the 30 June, a meeting of the Reich Cabinet justified Nazi actions and stressed that the use force had been necessary in the interest of the German people. Hitler was portrayed to the public in a favourable light as the saviour of Germany, having taken swift action to prevent civil war. A law on measures for the self-defence of the state was then passed which legalised all Nazi actions during the purge. This highlights the Nazi strategy of using propaganda to win support for Hitler and using the law to justify their actions and prevent any opposition. The elimination of the SA leaders was the last step in the regime's consolidation of power and marked the end of the process of gleichschaltung.
In conclusion, violence and terror were an indispensable part of the Nazi consolidation of power. They helped to uphold solidarity within the regime and were highly effective in silencing resistance. However, the Nazis use of legal procedure was just as important as their use of violence. Although terror was the principle means used to maintain the regime's control over the state, persecuting their enemies and demanding 'external compliance' could not achieve stability for the regime. Hitler needed to give the dictatorship a sense of permanence, which he was able to do by exploited the democratic system and passing the Enabling Act to increase his party's power over Germany.
