Student Article

The rise of the Nazi Party and Adolf Hitler's rise to power in 1933 is a powerful example of how a determined political figure can manipulate a crisis to gain absolute control.

How Hitler grabbed control of Germany

In the wake of World War I, Germany was left with a demoralized economy and a government that many felt was weak. Hitler, who had served as a soldier during the war, viewed the defeat as a result of internal betrayal, especially blaming Jews and communists for Germany’s downfall. His hatred of Jews and belief in their role in Germany's defeat grew more intense, setting the stage for his later antisemitic policies.

In the early 1930s, the Nazi Party was not the dominant force in Germany. However, in January 1933, Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany as part of a coalition government. This partnership with conservative leaders was mainly based on mutual interest: both sides wanted to suppress the growing threat of the Communist Party, which had gained significant support among Germany's working class. With the Communists out of the way, Hitler would turn his attention to consolidating his power.

The Reichstag Fire and Hitler’s opportunity

The turning point came with the Reichstag Fire on February 27, 1933. A Dutch communist, Marinus van der Lubbe, was arrested for setting fire to the German parliament building. Hitler and his allies used this incident to spread fear of a communist uprising, convincing President Paul von Hindenburg to declare a state of emergency. With this decree, Hitler gained the legal power to suspend civil liberties and arrest political opponents.

The Enabling Act and Nazi control

On March 23, 1933, Hitler pushed the Reichstag to pass the Enabling Act, which gave him dictatorial powers. With the ability to pass laws without parliamentary approval, Hitler began his transformation of Germany into a totalitarian state. Political opponents, especially Communist Party members and Socialists, were imprisoned, tortured, and executed. Many others were forced into concentration camps, where they faced brutal conditions. The use of the Brownshirts — Nazi stormtroopers — as a quasi-police force further increased the atmosphere of fear and repression.

By the end of 1933, Hitler had not only eliminated opposition but had effectively destroyed the democratic Weimar Republic. In its place, he created a terrifying dictatorship that would lead to World War II and the Holocaust. Hitler's success in 1933 was not just about seizing power, but also about shaping a vision for Germany’s future — one that centered on racial purity and violence as the means to achieve it.

© Richard J Evans / www.historyextra.com