Student Article
The Rise of the Nazi Party: How Hitler Took Control of Germany in 1933
Coalition (noun): A group of people or parties that come together for a common purpose.
Decrees (noun): Official orders or commands made by someone in power.
Intimidation (noun): The act of frightening or making others feel afraid to gain control.
Dictatorship (noun): A government in which one person or group has total control.
After losing World War I, Germany faced hard times, and the government was weak.
How Hitler grabbed control of Germany
Hitler believed that Germany's defeat was caused by Jews and communists, and he promised to restore Germany's strength. He first joined a coalition government, where he worked with other political groups to crush the Communist Party, which was growing in strength.
The Reichstag Fire and Hitler’s opportunity
It was the Reichstag Fire in February 1933 that gave Hitler the perfect excuse to take more control. A man named Marinus van der Lubbe set the Reichstag (German parliament) on fire, and Hitler used this event to convince President Hindenburg that communists were planning a revolution. Hindenburg declared a state of emergency, and Hitler passed decrees that took away people’s freedoms. This gave Hitler and the Nazis more power.
The Enabling Act and Nazi control
Next, Hitler used threats and promises to persuade the Reichstag to pass the Enabling Act. This law gave Hitler the power to make decisions without consulting the parliament. With these new powers, the Nazis quickly took control of the country. They used violence and intimidation to silence their enemies, arresting and even killing political opponents. By the end of 1933, Hitler had transformed Germany into a dictatorship.
© Richard J Evans / www.historyextra.com
Coalition (noun): A group of people or parties that come together for a common purpose.
Decrees (noun): Official orders or commands made by someone in power.
Intimidation (noun): The act of frightening or making others feel afraid to gain control.
Dictatorship (noun): A government in which one person or group has total control.