How did Hitler turn the office of Chancellor into a total dictatorship by 1934?
The steps by which Hitler consolidated power between 1933 and 1934, the Reichstag Fire and the Enabling Act, the creation of a one-party state, the Night of the Long Knives, and Hitler becoming Fuhrer on the death of Hindenburg.
A focused answer to Hitler's consolidation of power in the Eduqas non-British study in depth, covering the Reichstag Fire, the Enabling Act, the one-party state, the Night of the Long Knives, and Hitler becoming Fuhrer on Hindenburg's death in 1934.
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What this dot point is asking
This dot point covers how Hitler turned the office of Chancellor into a total dictatorship in Eduqas's Component 1 non-British study in depth. You need to explain the steps of consolidation between 1933 and 1934: the Reichstag Fire, the Enabling Act, the creation of a one-party state, the Night of the Long Knives, and Hitler becoming Fuhrer on the death of Hindenburg. Because the depth study uses source and interpretation questions, learn the sequence well enough to weigh evidence about how Hitler secured power.
The Reichstag Fire and the Enabling Act
The one-party state and Gleichschaltung
The Night of the Long Knives, 1934
Hitler becomes Fuhrer
Try this
Q1. What did the Enabling Act of March 1933 allow Hitler to do? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. To make laws without the Reichstag or the President for four years, the legal foundation of the dictatorship.
Q2. Explain how Hitler became Fuhrer in August 1934. [Short explanation]
- Cue. When Hindenburg died, Hitler merged the offices of Chancellor and President to become Fuhrer, combining head of government and head of state, and the army swore a personal oath of loyalty to him, completing his absolute power.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC Eduqas exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Eduqas C100 20184 marksDescribe two features of the Enabling Act of 1933.Show worked answer →
The depth-study opener (4 marks, two features, 2 marks each). Reward two distinct, developed features.
Feature one. The Enabling Act (March 1933) gave Hitler the power to make laws for four years without the Reichstag or the President, which was the legal foundation of the dictatorship.
Feature two. It was passed in an atmosphere of intimidation: the SA surrounded the building, communist deputies were already arrested, and only the SPD voted against, so Hitler secured the two-thirds majority he needed.
Top marks. Two separate features, each with a precise supporting detail.
Eduqas C100 20228 marksExplain why the Night of the Long Knives strengthened Hitler's position in 1934.Show worked answer →
The depth-study "explain why" question (8 marks, AO1 and AO2). Reward a developed analysis of two or three reasons, each with precise support.
Reason one. It destroyed the SA as a rival power base: Hitler had Ernst Rohm and other SA leaders murdered, removing men who wanted a "second revolution" and who threatened his control of the party.
Reason two. It won the army's loyalty: the generals feared the SA might replace them, so by crushing it Hitler gained their gratitude, which mattered when Hindenburg died weeks later.
Reason three. It showed Hitler was willing to use ruthless, illegal violence against anyone, including old comrades, which intimidated all potential opponents.
Top band. Connect each reason explicitly to Hitler's strengthened position, and finish with the most important factor.
Related dot points
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Sources & how we know this
- WJEC Eduqas GCSE History (C100) specification — WJEC Eduqas (2016)