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The following were all equally important in Hitler’s consolidation of power: The Reichstag Fire The Enabling Act The Night of the Long Knives Do you agree with this statement (referring only to i, ii & iii)? Introduction The Reichstag Fire, the Enabling Act and the night of the Long Knives were crucial events in the first 17 months of Nazi rule in Germany. However they were not equally important: ii & iii were of a greater magnitude than the Reichstag Fire. Reichstag Fire’s relation to the Enabling Act The Fire enabled Hitler to use Article 48 to start the liquidation of the KPD and steal an advantage over the other parties in the March 1933 election. With a strong (44%) showing Hitler was in a good position to force through the Enabling Act. The Fire heightened fears and tensions in Germany so politicians and the public were prepared to accept the sweeping powers Hitler demanded (and got) with the Enabling Act. Nevertheless the Fire was not crucial; Hitler would have achieved his legal dictatorship anyway. Importance of the Enabling Act & the actions stemming from it (though incomplete in themselves) With the passing of ii the other political parties soon became redundant. Excepting the SPD they took the hint and abolished themselves; using his new powers the SPD was forcibly abolished. There was no need for political parties if Hitler (and his cabinet) could make law for a period of 4 years (in fact for the whole period to 1945). The Act did give Hitler dictatorial powers and within months a raft of further consolidating powers had taken place: the abolition of trades unions; of the state governments and of the freedom of the press all gave the Nazis very extensive powers. The Enabling Act and its consequences all eclipse the significant but modest consolidation arising out of the Reichstag Fire. This consolidation would have been incomplete and vulnerable without the impact of the Night of the Long Knives. Hitler’s continued vulnerability made the solution of N of LK essential & urgent Hitler was still relatively weak if Rohm or the elites had taken vigorous action or Hindenberg had criticised the Fuhrer. The removal of Rohm and others not only satisfied the President, the Army and the public but it also sent a stark warning to all: no one was safe whether inside or outside the Nazi party. All had to conform to the wishes of Hitler and the SS. Complementary nature of the Enabling Act & the N of LK The Enabling Act and the purge of 30 June/1 July were complementary: one allowed consolidation to get into top gear; the other completed the process and enabled Hitler to become a fully fledged dictator whose servants had sworn absolute loyalty to Hitler as combined Chancellor and President. On the other hand whilst the consolidation of power may have been slower without the excuse and opportunity of the Reichstag Fire, the Enabling Act and the elimination of enemies would have happened anyway. Consider the role of each paragraph Do they all help answer the question? Does each paragraph follow on from the previous one? Is fact/detail used to answer the question (and maximise marks), or is it just there to impress? If this is too long how could one shorten it? |