Gleichschaltung and the Enabling Act
The Nazi Party's consolidation of power began with the process of Gleichschaltung, which aimed to bring all aspects of German society in line with Nazi ideology. This process was crucial in eliminating opposition and centralizing power.
Vocabulary: Gleichschaltung, meaning "coordination" or "bringing into line," was the Nazi process of streamlining all aspects of German society under their control.
In April 1933, Jews and political enemies were removed from legal professions and civil service positions. Trade unions were also outlawed in May, further consolidating Nazi control over the workforce.
The Enabling Act, passed in March 1933, was a pivotal moment in Hitler's rise to power. This law amended the constitution, allowing Hitler to pass laws without the consent of the Reichstag for four years.
Highlight: The Enabling Act passed with 441 votes in favor and 94 against, demonstrating the Nazi Party's growing influence and the weakening of opposition.
To achieve this, Hitler had to navigate various political obstacles, including gaining support from the President, Reichstag, and army. The events leading up to the Enabling Act were carefully orchestrated to ensure its passage.
Reichstag Fire and Its Aftermath
On February 27th, 1933, the Reichstag building was set on fire. The Nazis quickly blamed this on a communist plot, specifically accusing Marinus van der Lubbe.
Example: The Reichstag fire was used as a pretext to suspend civil liberties and arrest communist leaders, effectively disrupting opposition to the Nazi Party in the upcoming elections.
This event allowed the Nazis to intern opponents and disrupt the election campaign, paving the way for their consolidation of power. It gave Hitler the opportunity to potentially gain a full majority in parliament.
