Night of the Long Knives

On June 30, 1934, Hitler orchestrated the Night of the Long Knives, a purge of potential threats to his power:

1. Ernst Röhm, leader of the SA, wanted to incorporate the army into the SA
2. Röhm pushed for a social revolution, threatening Hitler's power
3. Hitler chose the army over the SA
4. SS carried out arrests and executions of over 400 "enemies of the state"

Example: Victims included Ernst Röhm, Kurt von Schleicher, and Gustav von Kahr.

Significance of the Night of the Long Knives:

• Eliminated Hitler's opponents
• Secured army support
• Reduced SA's role
• Allowed expansion of the SS under Heinrich Himmler

Highlight: This event was a turning point in establishing Hitler's dictatorship and consolidating his power.

Death of Hindenburg and Hitler's Rise to Führer

On August 2, 1934, two significant events occurred:

1. President Hindenburg died
2. Hitler combined the roles of president and chancellor, becoming Führer

Vocabulary: Führer means "leader" in German.

Army Oath of Loyalty

On the same day as Hindenburg's death, Hitler required the German army to swear an oath of loyalty to him personally:

Quote: "I swear by God this sacred oath that I shall render unconditional obedience to Adolf Hitler, the Führer of the German Reich, supreme commander of the armed forces, and that I shall at all times be prepared, as a brave soldier, to give my life for this oath."

This oath ensured Hitler had a strong, loyal army at his command, completing his consolidation of power in Germany.

Hitler Becomes Chancellor

On January 30, 1933, Hitler became chancellor of Germany through legal means. Franz von Papen convinced President Hindenburg to appoint a Nazi-Nationalist government with Hitler as chancellor and von Papen as vice-chancellor.

Highlight: Hitler's rise to power was achieved through democratic processes, not a violent coup.

Reichstag Fire

On February 27, 1933, the Reichstag building was set ablaze. Hitler exploited this event to consolidate power:

1. Blamed communists for the fire
2. Convinced Hindenburg to arrest 4,000 communist leaders
3. Banned communist and socialist newspapers
4. Persuaded Hindenburg to sign the "Decree for the Protection of People and State"

Definition: The Reichstag was the German parliament building.

This decree granted Hitler emergency powers, including the ability to restrict free speech and imprison people without trial.

The Enabling Act

On March 23, 1933, the Reichstag passed the Enabling Act, a crucial step in Hitler's consolidation of power:

1. Nazis won 285 seats in the March 5 election but lacked a majority
2. Hitler banned communists from entering the Reichstag
3. SA surrounded the building, preventing opponents from entering
4. The act passed with 444 votes in favor and 94 against

Highlight: The Enabling Act effectively ended the Weimar Constitution and became the foundation of the Third Reich.

Consequences of the Enabling Act:

• Trade unions banned on May 2, 1933
• Strikes made illegal
• German Labour Front (DAF) established
• Law against political parties created on July 14, 1933
• Censorship imposed