How did Hitler turn the post of chancellor into a dictatorship by 1934?
Hitler's consolidation of power 1933 to 1934: the Reichstag Fire and the Enabling Act, the banning of other parties and trade unions (Gleichschaltung), the Night of the Long Knives, and Hitler becoming Fuhrer on the death of Hindenburg in August 1934.
A focused answer on how Hitler consolidated power 1933 to 1934, covering the Reichstag Fire and the Enabling Act, the banning of parties and unions, the Night of the Long Knives, and Hitler becoming Fuhrer in August 1934.
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What this dot point is asking
This dot point covers Hitler's consolidation of power, 1933 to 1934, the turning of chancellor into dictator. You need to explain the Reichstag Fire and the Enabling Act, the banning of other parties and trade unions (Gleichschaltung), the Night of the Long Knives, and Hitler becoming Fuhrer on the death of Hindenburg in August 1934. As a Unit 2 depth study, weigh how each step built the dictatorship.
The Reichstag Fire
The Enabling Act
Gleichschaltung: the one-party state
The Night of the Long Knives and Fuhrer
Try this
Q1. What did the Enabling Act of March 1933 do? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. It let Hitler make laws without the Reichstag for four years, giving him a legal dictatorship and the power to ban opposition parties and unions.
Q2. Explain how the Night of the Long Knives helped Hitler consolidate power. [Short explanation]
- Cue. In June 1934 Hitler had Rohm and other SA rivals murdered, removing the army's distrust of the SA and winning the army's loyalty, which paved the way for him to become Fuhrer when Hindenburg died in August 1934.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
WJEC Wales (Unit 2)4 marksDescribe two features of how Hitler used the Reichstag Fire of 1933.Show worked answer →
The describe question (AO1). Reward two distinct, developed features, each with one supporting detail.
Feature one. After the Reichstag building burned down in February 1933, the Nazis blamed the communists and used the fire to whip up fear of a communist revolution.
Feature two. Hitler persuaded Hindenburg to pass an emergency decree suspending civil rights and allowing the arrest of communists, helping the Nazis in the March 1933 election.
Top marks. Two distinct features, each developed with precise detail.
WJEC Wales (Unit 2)8 marksExplain why Hitler was able to make himself dictator by 1934.Show worked answer →
The explain question (AO1 and AO2). Reward a developed analysis of reasons, each supported and linked to the outcome.
Reason one. The Enabling Act of March 1933 let Hitler make laws without the Reichstag for four years, giving him legal dictatorship and the power to ban opposition.
Reason two. Gleichschaltung: other parties and trade unions were banned, making Germany a one-party state with no legal opposition.
Reason three. The Night of the Long Knives (June 1934) destroyed rivals in the SA and won army support, and when Hindenburg died in August 1934 Hitler combined the roles of chancellor and president as Fuhrer.
Top band. Link each step to how the dictatorship was built, and judge which was decisive.
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Sources & how we know this
- WJEC GCSE History (Wales) specification (3100) — WJEC (2017)