How were Hitler and the Nazi Party able to consolidate their position in Germany between January 1933 and August 1934?

Answer 1

Consolidation of the Nazi dictatorship, 1933-34When Hitler was nominated Chancellor on 30 January 1933 it was partly on the basis that he headed the largest party in the Reichstag, having gained 196 out of 584 seats (just under 34%) in the general election of November 1932. He was in coalition with the German Centre Party (Zentrumspartei) but still didn't have an overall majority. When Hitler became Chancellor, Goering became Interior Minister of Prussia, the largest of the German states and head of the Prussian police.

Hitler persuaded Hindenburg to call a fresh general election for 5 March 1933, arguing that the NSDAP had been unable to form a coalition with the Centre Party. At the end of February the Reichstag burned down. Hitler immediately blamed the Communists, whipped up anti-Communist hysteria and banned them from taking part in the forthcoming elections. (It was widely believed that the Nazis were responsible for the fire).

On 23 March 1933 the Reichstag passed the Enabling Law by a two-thirds majority (444 out of 647 - only the SPD voted against (94)) and enabled the Chancellor to rule by decree without even the need for approval by the President. In effect, the Reichstag then dissolved itself.

The first permanent concentration camp had been set up at Dachau the day before! The SA was unleashed on political opponents and several semi-official concentration camps were set up all over Germany. (Most of these were later closed).

April 1933-February 1934. A series of measures abolishing the federal structure of Germany and massively stengthening the powers of the central government.

May 1933. Decree issued banning all parties except the NSDAP (Nazis). Independent labour unions also banned at the same time.

- Also appointment of an official 'Reichsbischof' ('Reich bishop') who was put in charge of the Protestant churches, which were ordered to preach 'positive Christianity', free of 'Judaistic servility' ...

_____

Second half of 1933. Further measures to strengthen the party and the central government. (Partial merger of state and party).

1933-34 Growing demands from Roehm and the SA. Roehm overreached himself by demanding that the armed forces (Reichswehr) be made subordinate to the SA. Hitler had Roehm and the leadership of the SA slaughtered in June 1934.

August 1934. Death of President Hindenburg. Hitler was declared President with the asistance of the military and declared himself "Fuehrer". No presidential election was held.

Also important: in 1934 the SS became fully independent of the SA. Himmler and Heydrich were put in charge of the entire terror apparatus.