Author: JOHN WISHART

From Chancellor to Dictator in ONE YEAR

NIGHT OF THE LONG KNIVES June 1934
Hitler had always relied on the force of his SA (Brown shirts or Storm Troopers) They were a private army who 1) Protected Nazi Meetings 2) Drummed up support 3) Attacked Opponents
By 1934 however Hitler was worried. The SA was a force of over 2 MILLION men!! It was led by Ernst Rohm. Hitler feared Rohm would try to kill him.
On June 30th 1934 Hitler’s SS bodyguards rounded up hundreds of SA leaders and killed and imprisoned many.
This was welcomed by many across Germany (especially the German army and public who hated the SA.)

JANUARY ‘33
After trying all other options HINDENBURG (the President) is forced to make Hitler CHANCELLOR
Hitler is determined to get FULL CONTROL
He uses the SA and SS to increase the Violence around Germany creating a sense of Chaos which he can blame on the Communists

- How did Hitler get COMPLETE CONTROL of Germany in ONE YEAR!?

FEBRUARY ’33
The REICHSTAG (German Parliament) is burnt down in a mysterious FIRE
A Young Dutch Communist, VAN DER LUBBE is convicted of the fire (suspicions have always been held about Nazi involvement)
Hitler used the opportunity to heighten the sense of Chaos claiming the COMMUNISTS were preparing to seize Germany
Hitler now controlled the Newspapers and Radio stations
He also now controlled the Police
His SA could intimidate people to vote Nazi

AUGUST 1934
HINDENBURG DIES
Hitler now takes the job as CHANCELLOR and PRESIDENT
He is the FUHRER (The Leader)
The German army swears an OATH OF LOYALTY to Hitler

NAZI
CONSOLIDATION OF POWER

JULY ‘33
POLITICAL PARTIES BANNED
Many political leaders jailed
Anyone setting up a rival party was jailed for three years!
GERMANY WAS NOW A ONE PARTY STATE

MARCH ‘33
Hindenburg uses EMERGENCY POWERS (Article 48) This passed laws EVEN if the Reichstag didn't agree
This allows Hitler to have ‘SPECIAL PROTECTION LAW’ giving him full power to deal with the ‘Communist threat’ and take over Germany!
Hitler now passed the ENABLING LAW—This allowed him to pass laws without the REICHSTAG— Basically the power to do what he wants!!!!!
This was A HUGE AMOUNT OF POWER IN ONE PERSON!
He used this to BAN THE COMMUNIST PARTY and imprison their supporters.

MAY ‘33
TRADE UNIONS BANNED
Their leaders are put in jail
This also removes the chance to strike or complain about pay or conditions

APRIL ‘33
Hitler put Nazis in charge of all local Government and Councils AND the POLICE.
The GESTAPO (Secret Police) were formed.