- After taking power on January 30th 1933, Hitler was not quick to waste time and ensuring that he asserted his complete dominance over Germany, making it subject to his beck and call. This was done through manipulation and political acuteness.
The Reichstag Fire Decree
- On the 27th of February, 1933, it is said that a communist Marinus Van Der Lubbe, set fire to the Reichstag building, burning it down. However, many believe that the Nazis set fire to the Reich building in order to rid the communist party of all credibility. This proved to be an extremely effective tactic.
1. On February 28th, Hitler had president Hindenburg utilise article 48 to create the "Reichstag Fire Decree". Or as Hitler claims, the "Law for the protection of the people and the state".
2. The decree removed the right to articles 114 - Habeas Corpus 115 - A german's house is an asylum and Inviolable 117 - Privacy of correspondence 118 - Freedom of expression
3. In addition to the above articles and gaining power over the citizens of Germany, Hitler also ordered the arrest of all communists and their excommunication from any further political matters. It is estimated that roughly 10,000 communists were arrested within 2 weeks of the decree being issued
The Enabling Act
- This was one of the most powerful laws that Hitler managed to pass. It essentially gave him plenary powers to rule Germany as he wished.
1. The Enabling Act was innocently named "The Law to remedy the distress of People and Reich" and was signed at Kroll Opera house on March 24th, 1933.
2. Whilst the main feature of the act was that it enabled the government to enact laws without consulting the Reichstag or being dependent upon a 2/3rds majority vote, Article 2 of the act explicitly states that "Laws enacted by the government may deviate from the constitution", making it all the more a vessel to channel Hitler's power.
3. Whilst the act was mentioned for the "government" AKA the cabinet members to be able to enact laws, it was abused by Hitler himself who obtained plenary powers.
4. The act was passed as 378/584 members of the Reichstag gave their consent. KPD members (the communist party) were not allowed to have a say as membership in the communist party had essentially been made illegal due to the Reichstag Fire Decree.
The Loyalty of the Military
- After the Treaty of Versailles was signed, Germany's army was reduced to a meagre 100,000 men. This not only presented itself as an issue regarding national identity and humiliation but protection as well. However, Hindenburg had the ability to call for martial law and hence gaining the loyalty of the Army was key to Hitler obtaining absolute power. His only obstacle was Ernst Rohm and the SA,
1. The SA or Sturmabteilung was formed in 1920 and is more commonly known as the "brown shirts". By 1933, they numbered 3 million and posed a threat to the army of 100,000. In fact, Ernst Rohm was observed as a serious threat to Hitler's power because with 3 million men it would be possible to throw the entirety of Germany in havoc.
2. Rohm famously wanted a "continuation of the German revolution" and in the eyes of both Hindenburg and Hitler, was a loose cannon with firepower to spare. In fact, he approached the minister of Defence in 1934, asking for the SA to replace the regular army.
3. Hindenburg threatened martial law - which would strip Hitler of all his work - and hence Hitler's future orchestrator of the holocaust Reynhard Heydrich and leader of the Schutzstaffel Heinrich Himmler falsified a dossier on Ernst Rohm, suggesting that he had been paid 12 million marks to assassinate Hitler.
4. On June 30th-July 2nd 1934, Hitler and the SS marched on Bad Wiessee, arresting rohm and several other SA members. One particular member, found SA leader Edmund Heines in bed with an unidentified 18 year old SA male and this became propaganda for what is now known as the "Night of Long Knives". Not only was this a statement of intent from Hitler, but rather it was a demonstration of the ideals he would later embody. The homosexual couple was shot and the purge justified as a means of cracking down on moral turpitude. Rohm was shot.