The rise of the nazis

The Depression hit Germany deeply. By 1932 living conditions were serious in Germany. Over five million people were unemployed and the country was desperate for a strong government. President Hindenburg called an election (April 1932) but did not get the majority. The new government still could not govern properly, and after the new elections (November 1932) Hindenburg offered Hitler the post of Chancellor (head of government)

In January 1933 Hitler decided to call for another election (March 1933) hoping to make the Nazis stronger in the Reichstag (Parliament), and they did it well this time because:

 • They controlled mass media.

• Opposition meetings were banned.

 • They used the SA* to terrorise opponents. *SA: military force to protect the Nazi leaders and harass their political opponents

 

A fire broke out in the Reichstag (February, 1933) building, and Hitler blamed the communists. He used emergency decrees against terrorists, so communists were arrested and soon he declared the Communist party illegal. The Enabling Bill let him govern for four years without a Parliament and made all other parties illegal.

Hitler still had opposition. Ernst Röhm controlled the SA (over 400.000 men). On the 30th June 1934, Hitler ordered to arrest Röhm and others. Several hundred people were killed. This was called the Night of the Long Knives. Röhm was shot the next day. When Hindenburg died, Hitler became Chancellor, President and Commander-in chief of the army. He was called Der Führer (the leader). Democracy was dead.