How Hitler managed to gain unlimited power.

February 1933 Reichstag fire

Ø      Hitler wanted Nazi Party to gain full control of Reichstag

Ø      Called for fresh elections in 5^th March

Ø      However, Reichstag building caught fire on 27^th Feb

Ø      Nazi blamed communists for the fire, accusing them of wanting to overthrow the gov.

Ø      A young communist confessed to the crime though.

Ø      This gave Hitler a chance as the fire helped Hitler to remove one competition.

Hitler claimed country to be in grave danger, convincing the President to give him Emergency powers.

Ø      To deal with communists threat.

Ø      Arrested Communists and other opponents.

Ø      Civil and political rights = suspended

However, Hitler was not satisfied with this and wanted full control of Reichstag and was determined to control it.

23 March 1933 Enabling Act

Ø      Gave him Dictatorial power for 4 years = absolute power

Ø      Full power to do other things (fully arresting the opponents , outlawed the communists)

Ø      Making him the only decision maker.

Hitler sought to get both of that.

BUT, in order to pass enabling act, he needed 2/3 majority of Reichstag. After arresting the opponents and outlawing the communists, Hitler got his 2/3 majority and gained the enabling act.

Threats to Hitler from within the Nazi party were removed.

Ø      To ensure absolute power , Hitler removed threats from within his own party.

Ø      The SA (formed in 1921, aka the ‘Brownshirts’) helped Hitler to gain loyalty towards Hitler.