Hitler Consolidates Power

Hitler Consolidates Power

How did Hitler Consolidate Power?

Between March and July 1933—all political parties banned

KDP already bannedMany socialists imprisoned

Even supporting parties disbandedCatholic Central Party

Concordat w/ VaticanChurch recognized Hitler; Nazis left Church alone

Law Against the Establishment of Parties (July 14, 1933)

LänderRef. to state govtTook over through

Forced resignationSeized buildings, docs, and supplies

Loyal Nazi commissioners were appointedLaw for the Restoration and Professional Civil Service (April 1933)Trade Unions bannedreplaced w/German Labor Front

One Party State Made Legal

Law to Ensure the Unity of Party and State (Dec. 1933)

Structrualist Historians argue that Hitler set up parallel institutions to maintain power

Others argue Hitler did this because of disinterest and neglect

Hitler’s Storm TroopersHad been using SA to maintain control…but it was causing problems with the military. Rumors of a military coup; SA became disposable

PropagandaJoseph Goebbels—Propaganda Minister

Believed masses could be won over easilyCensorship (Party controlled 2/3 of private newspapers)RadioSlogan (“Heil Hitler”)MoviesDecorations on buildings

RepressionEven before Hitler became the official leader, his chancellorship had led to the death of 30,000 communist (arrest of 300,000)SS: The Security Service

Ran concentration campsDachau (March 1933)

Gestapo: State Secret Police force

Class DiscussionDo you consider propaganda or repression more important in the consolidation of power in a totalitarian state, such as Hitler’s?

GleichschaltungNazi party control over every aspect of life

Consolidation Complete in 1938

1934-Night of the Long KnivesSlowly began to transition the military into a Nazi force1935: Restoration of conscription—peacetime army of 500,000

Some generals did not like the pace of rearmamentDidn’t like the SS (who were suppose to be a domestic police force but were technically part of the “war time army”Some didn’t like the expansionist policies War minister von Blombrg and Commander in Chief von Fritsch opposed “Lebensraum”; both dismissed and Hitler became war minister.