Rrom Chancellor to Dictator

From Chancellor to DictatorReichstag Fire27th Feb 1933Reichstag building destroyed by fireNazis claim it is a communist plot to take over Germany (Marinus van der Lubbe at the scene - Dutch communist)Persuades Hindenberg to grant emergency powers to arrest and hold people for as long as they wantNew Elections5th MarchUse police and SA to put pressure on political opponentsRadios broadcast anti-communist messageBest result - 44% of voteEnabling Law24th MarchPower to pass laws without going through the Reichstag or PresidentCommunists banned from votingCentre Party convinced by promise to protect churchLaw passed 444 votes to 94 (Social Democrats against)Trade Unions taken over2nd MayOffices taken over and union leaders arrestedAll trade unions merged into German Labour Front (DAF)DAF controlled by NazisPolitical Parties BannedJulyLaw introduced banning new political partiesSocial Democrats and Communists already bannedOthers have broken upNow only one party in GermanyNight of the Long Knives29th - 30th June 1934Concerned by increasing power of SA - it had 3 million members and wanted to control armyLeader is Ernst Rohm, close friend and potential rivalNeeds to reassure army - only organisation with power to take on HitlerSA leaders are dragged from their beds and shot dead in Nazi HQRohm refused to commit suicide so was shot in prisonSent message that Hitler is ruthless - Killed opponents within the partyDeath of Hindenberg2nd AugustHindenberg dies, Hitler makes himself Fuhrer (Chancellor + President)Unchallengeable Army OathAugustArmy took oath of personal loyalty to HitlerHe is Supreme Commander of the armed forcesAll German soldiers swore to obey Hitler and risk life for himCreates elite controllers who are fanatical Nazis - The SS