How did Hitler become a dictator? Part 1

History 101:
How did Hitler become a dictator? Part 1
In this mini series, I will be investigating the path Hitler took to create an authoritarian rule over Germany:

Firstly, for readers who may be confused, Hitler becoming chancellor in January 1933 but this didn't actually give him much power or make him a dictator. President Hindenburg had the most power and could fire Hitler at any point. Hitler still had to pass laws democratically through the Reichstag*, which Hitler couldn't do because he didn't have a majority (only 33%, 51% was needed). Hitler also only had three Nazis in the cabinet. This meant that all laws proposed by Hitler could be easily vetoed by the rest of the cabinet. Hitler came into chancellorship in a very weak position with little power, far from a dictatorship. If Hitler wanted to become a dictator and assert totalitarian rule on Germany he'd have to work for it, which he did.

Reichstag fire; Feb 27th 1933

Hitler's first move came on the 27th of February 1933, one month after he was announced chancellor by Von Papen and Hindenburg. The Reichstag caught fire and was burnt to the ground. The Nazis blamed it on the communists because they supposedly found a dutch communist called Marinus van der Lubbe in the vicinity of the building when it was burnt down. Wether the dutch communist or any communists burnt down the building at all didn't really matter. The Nazis took full advantage of it and Hitler persuaded President Hindenburg to give him emergency powers to sort out this 'national crisis'. This is the most important step towards dictatorship for Hitler because with emergency powers he could do pretty much anything in contrast to Hitler without them.

Hitler's first use of his emergency powers was straight away. Hitler arrested thousands of communists, justifying it with the Reichstag fire. Hitler also sent his SS to arrest many other political threats and opponents. He sent all of these prisoners to the first SS concentration camp called Dachau, However not to be mistaken by ghettos and death camps which is a whole other kettle of fish. Dachau was primarily a labour and prison camp for Political prisoners. The communists were Hitlers main opposition and after eliminating them, pretty much no one could stop him (ash).

March 1933 Election Results, NSDAP=Nazis

Hitler's second use of his Emergency powers also came very soon after he was granted them. Hitler announced a new General election in Germany for March 5th 1933. Hitler wanted to show he could win the support of the people democratically and not just through emergency powers. It was also a huge PR stunt to make him seem like a strong leader with most of the vote. Hitler went on a huge campaign to swing the vote in his favour. The SA* also were stationed at polling stations to persuade people, sometimes with violence, to vote for the Nazis. It worked to a certain extent and the Nazis increased their seat percentage to 43%. Although this wasn't a majority it was enough to show that Hitler had a good number of people behind him and it worked out to just enough seats to help pass the Enabling Act.

*- The Reichstag was the German parliament (just like the House of Commons in Britain)

*- The SA were Hitlers private army of thugs who beat anyone up who didn't agree with the Nazis (in Short). They were also in charge of security at Nazis events.

*- The SS were very similar to the SA but were Hitlers select team of bodyguards who wore black uniforms. They also, later on, went to set up death and concentration camps.

Thanks very much for reading! Next time we will be exploring the Enabling act and other steps on the path of Hitlers road to dictatorship! Part 2 coming soon.

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History 101
Email: theverybesthistory101@gmail.com
Twitter: @TheVBHistory101 

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