Timeline: From Democracy to Dictatorship (1933-1934)
The speed at which Hitler destroyed German democracy is genuinely shocking. 30th January 1933 marked the beginning of the end when Hitler became Chancellor - he went from political outsider to dictator in just 18 months.
The Reichstag Fire on 27th February 1933 triggered a cascade of anti-democratic measures. By March, the Nazis had failed to win a proper majority in elections, but Hitler simply changed the rules. The Civil Service Act in April fired all Jewish and non-Aryan government workers, whilst book burning in May showed how quickly intellectual freedom disappeared.
The Night of the Long Knives on 30th June 1934 eliminated Hitler's rivals within his own party. SS members rounded up SA leaders and other "politically unreliable" people, murdering at least 400. This wasn't just about removing opposition - it created a culture of fear where nobody dared challenge Hitler.
Key Point: When President Hindenburg died on 2nd August 1934, Hitler combined the roles of Chancellor and President, becoming the Führer with absolute power.
Hitler's core beliefs drove these actions: destroying the Treaty of Versailles, eliminating Marxism, ensuring "Aryan supremacy", and gaining Lebensraum (living space) in Eastern Europe. Trade unions were banned, political parties dissolved, and local government abolished - all democratic institutions systematically destroyed.