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“History teaches that war begins when governments believe the price of aggression is cheap.” - Ronald Reagan. The Baby Ruth candy bar was actually named after President Grover Cleveland’s baby daughter, Ruth. Germany: 1919-1939. The Rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazis.
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“History teaches that war begins when governments believe the price of aggression is cheap.”- Ronald Reagan The Baby Ruth candy bar was actually named after President Grover Cleveland’s baby daughter, Ruth.
Germany: 1919-1939 The Rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazis
The Nazis Are Gathering Strength • After Hitler is appointed Chancellor, the Nazi party forms a coalition with another R group to help solidify their power, however, Hitler wants more Nazis in gov. positions. • Before the elections on March 5, 1933, the Nazi had only 2 gov. positions outside of Hitler. • The SA and SS (Hitler’s personal body guards) take to the streets and use terror tactics to get people to vote Nazis into power. • Police look the other way – controlled by Nazis.
The Nazis Are Gathering Strength • Crucial event: Reichstag fire on February 27th. • Burned down a week before elections and was the symbol of the Weimar Republic. • Controversy over whether or not the Nazis were involved. • The Nazis used this as a golden opp. To show a threat from the L: “Give the R you support!” • Increases fear and Hitler gets the Parliament to pass an emergency decree which legalized the political terror attacks of the Nazis.
The Nazis Are Gathering Strength • With the Nazi terror tactics of “convincing” and playing on fear of the L, the Germ. people go to the polls on March 5. • Nazis still didn’t get the majority but still get 44% of the vote. • With their 44% and the 8% from their coalition party, the Nazis are now in the majority in the gov.
Hitler’s Increasing His Power • With the coalition, Hitler can emancipate himself from Hindenburg and rely on the Reichstag. • Instead, Hitler gets Reichstag to dissolve themselves and rules as a dictator (needs 2/3 majority). • Why would the other parties agree to this? • Mod. Centre and R party would give support. • Hitler pointed to the threat of the L and shows the pop. he was a solid, proper, and sober politician who could be trusted.
Day of Potsdam: March 21, 1933 www.uncp.edu/home/rwb/hst430_p2.htm
Day of Potsdam: March 21, 1933 • On March 21, 1933, Hitler organized the Day of Potsdam. • Hitler met with Hindenburg at a church in Potsdam in a rich pageant of symbolism. • Hitler dressed modestly and bows to Hindenburg: presenting himself as a solid politician bowing to old authority. • Very effective move on Hitler’s part – Parliament then meets again to debate the Enabling Act.
Day of Potsdam: March 21, 1933 www.historyplace.com/.../dictator.htm
The Enabling Act March 23, 1933 • The Enabling Act would dissolveParliament and give Hitler sole power for the next four years. • Solve political and economic problems. • The L party and the SPD (social demos.) stand against this – breach in democratic ideals; the SPD was the only party to vote against the Act. • Average Germs. would look at this strong party taking over LEGALLYand would find comfort during the instability.
After the Enabling Act: Gleichschaltung of the Spring of 1933 • Communist party and the SPDoutlawed and other parities dissolve themselves: Nazis become the only legal party in the summer of 1933. • The central gov. is taken over and Nazis are appointed to gov. positions. • German Worker Front est. (unions disbanded and made illegal). • Nazis begin taking over clubs and organizations all over society. • Political rivals are taken over, banned, killed, or sent to concentration camps.
Gleichschaltung of the Spring of 1933 • Gleichschaltung: the coordination of German society under the Nazis. • By the summer of 1933, Nazis have swept the board in their control: show public what happens if they oppose the Nazis, but public is welcomed to join the movement. • Hitler is forced to walk a fine line, takeover has to occur steadily: show legality of movement to middle-class, make concessions (esp. with religion), and reassure the army (suspicious of SA).
Hitler’s Fine Line • SA leaders like Ernst Röhm feel that Hitler is being too cautious, they want old elites thrown out and be in control of the army. • Hitler is caught between 2 powerful organizations: SA and the Army. • Hitler makes the choice to side with the army rather than the SA: he needs the army to control domestic the situation and for the future war.
Ernst Röhm www.britannica.com/ebc/art/print?id=79895
June 30, 1934: Night of the Long Knives • Hitler uses the SS to purge the SA leaders that were pushing for more change. • Hitler told the concerned the Germ. people and politicians that the SA was calling for a 2nd revolution: justification of the murders (including Röhm). • After this, the military leadership allows Hitler to have new recruits take oath of loyalty to Hitler instead of the nation.
Night of the Long Knives www.uncp.edu/home/rwb/hst430_p2.htm
The Death of Hindenburg • Hindenburg dies August 2, 1934. • When he died, according to the Weimar gov., there should have been another election for President, but Hitler uses the Enabling Act to declare himself Führer of Germany. • Hitler dissolved the position of President. • Hitler has both executive and legislative power now – sealed the deal for dictatorship.
