Other Factors in Hitler's Consolidation of Power
While the Night of the Long Knives was significant, other events also played crucial roles in Hitler's rise to power:
The Reichstag Fire (February 1933)
The Reichstag fire provided Hitler with a pretext to crack down on his political opponents, particularly the communists. Hitler used this event to convince President Hindenburg to invoke Article 48 of the Weimar Constitution, which allowed for the suspension of civil liberties.
Example: Following the fire, about 4,000 communists were imprisoned without trial, effectively crippling the Communist Party.
The Enabling Act (March 1933)
The Enabling Act granted Hitler's government the power to enact laws without the consent of the Reichstag for four years. This effectively made Hitler a dictator and allowed the Nazis to:
- Ban all other political parties
- Build concentration camps
- Control the legal system by replacing judges who opposed them
Definition: The Enabling Act (Ermächtigungsgesetz in German) was a constitutional amendment that gave Hitler's cabinet the authority to enact laws without parliamentary consent.
Death of President Hindenburg (August 1934)
The death of President Paul von Hindenburg marked the final step in Hitler's consolidation of power. Upon Hindenburg's death, Hitler:
- Combined the positions of President and Chancellor into the role of Führer
- Held a plebiscite to show public support for this constitutional change
Quote: "When president Hindenburg died, Hitler took the opportunity to combine the positions of President and Chancellor into the role of Fuhrer and appointed himself the role."
Highlight: The plebiscite resulted in 90% officially approving Hitler's actions, demonstrating the extent of his control over Germany by this point.
In conclusion, while the Night of the Long Knives was crucial in eliminating internal threats and securing army support, the death of President Hindenburg was arguably the most important factor in Hitler's consolidation of power. It allowed Hitler to assume the role of Führer, giving him complete control over Germany.
