Elimination of Opposition and the Night of the Long Knives

Hitler moved swiftly to eliminate all potential sources of opposition. By April 7, 1933, all Jews and political opponents were removed from their positions and replaced with Nazi supporters. In May 1933, trade unions were banned and replaced by the Nazi Labor Front.

The process of Gleichschaltung continued as Hitler targeted all organizations that could potentially oppose him. This included political parties, labor unions, and civil society organizations.

Example: As part of Gleichschaltung, the education system was overhauled to align with Nazi ideology, with teachers required to join the National Socialist Teachers League.

A significant threat to Hitler's power came from within the Nazi party itself, specifically from Ernst Röhm and the SA (Sturmabteilung). Hitler was convinced that the SA, with its 2 million members, was becoming too powerful and that Röhm wanted a "second revolution."

This internal threat led to the Night of the Long Knives, also known as Operation Hummingbird or, in German, "Nacht der langen Messer." This purge took place from June 30 to July 2, 1934.

Quote: "The Night of the Long Knives was Hitler's opportunity to deal with old scores and eliminate potential rivals."

During this event, Hitler ordered the assassination of numerous SA leaders, including Ernst Röhm, as well as other political opponents. The official death toll was 77, but it is believed that hundreds were killed.

Highlight: The Night of the Long Knives was a turning point in Nazi Germany, as it eliminated Hitler's rivals within the Nazi party and gained him the support of the regular army.

Hitler Becomes Führer and Absolute Dictator

Following the death of President Hindenburg on August 2, 1934, Hitler saw an opportunity to combine the offices of Chancellor and President. On August 19, 1934, a referendum was held where Germans were asked to approve Hitler as Führer and Reich Chancellor.

The result of the referendum showed overwhelming support for Hitler, with 90% of those who voted agreeing with Hitler becoming Führer. This marked the final step in Hitler's rise to absolute power in Germany.

Vocabulary: Führer - German for "leader" or "guide," this title was assumed by Adolf Hitler to designate him as the absolute leader of Nazi Germany.

The army, grateful to Hitler for eliminating the threat of the SA, swore a personal oath of loyalty to Hitler. This oath became law on August 20, 1934, further cementing Hitler's control over the military.

Highlight: Hitler's combination of the roles of Chancellor and President into the position of Führer marked the end of the Weimar Republic and the beginning of the Third Reich.

By this point, Hitler had successfully transformed Germany from a democracy into a totalitarian state under his absolute control. This consolidation of power set the stage for the aggressive foreign policy and eventual outbreak of World War II in 1939.

Example: Hitler's rise to power demonstrates how a democratic system can be subverted from within, using legal means to establish a dictatorship.

Hitler Becomes Chancellor and Consolidates Power

In 1932, Hitler became Chancellor of Germany, marking the beginning of his rise to absolute power. This page outlines the initial steps Hitler took to solidify his position and eliminate opposition.

The Reichstag fire on February 27, 1933, provided Hitler with a pretext to suppress political opponents, particularly communists. President Hindenburg issued emergency powers through the Decree for the Protection of the People and State on February 28, 1933, which allowed for the arrest and detention of political opponents without trial.

Highlight: The Reichstag fire was a crucial event that Hitler exploited to gain more power and suppress opposition.

In the March 1933 elections, the Nazi party failed to achieve an overall majority. However, Hitler convinced other parties to support him in passing the Enabling Act on March 24, 1933. This act gave Hitler the power to bypass the Reichstag and rule by decree for four years.

Definition: The Enabling Act (Ermächtigungsgesetz) was a 1933 amendment to the Weimar Constitution that gave the German Cabinet – in effect, Chancellor Adolf Hitler – the power to enact laws without the involvement of the Reichstag.

The Law on Press Censorship in March 1933 was one of the first measures implemented to control information and suppress dissent. This law allowed the Nazi regime to censor and control all forms of media, effectively silencing opposition voices.

Vocabulary: Gleichschaltung - the process of Nazification by which Hitler established a system of totalitarian control over German society.