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Liberty Law Begins
The Nazi Party joined a coalition of conservative groups . Hugenberg (leader of the German National People's Party) led the coalition which opposed the Young Plan (1929 - a program for settlement of German reparations debts). -
"Black Thursday" - Wall Street Crash
After the First World War, European countries such as Germany, became economically dependent on USA’s loans in order to rebuild their country. Since the Dawes Plan (1924), needed American money in order to be able to pay reparations. As a result of the Wall Street Crash, USA could not continue loaning money, thus asked for it back. However, Germany was still unstable, so when the loans ended, it went into an economic depression. -
Period: to
Hitler's Rise to Power
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Liberty Law Defeated
The Liberty Law referendum is not accepted in the Reichstag, and Hitler blames Hugenberg for the failure. -
Himmler takes over the SS
Himmler takes over the SS, and begins transforming it into a powerful organization. -
Bruning becomes Chancellor
Hindenburg (President) appointed Bruning as Chancellor. Due to Germany’s economic situation at the time the most important task of his was to deal with the economic problem. Bruning introduced the Financial Bill which cut salaries and raised taxes. It, initially, failed to pass because it was a long-term solution, but people wanted something fast. So, Hindenburg used article 48 to pass the policy without interference of other politicians. Hitler had fast solutions, which made him more popular. -
Federal Election
In the German federal elections, the Nazis gained 6 million votes in the national polling, going from 12 seats to 107 seats in the Reichstag, and became the second largest party in Germany. -
Economic Problems
-Economic crisis deepens, after the collapse of a bank, no banks are open for three weeks.
-Unemployment hits 4.8 million, highest in the Western World
-Nazi's begin to average 40% of the vote in local elections. -
Presidential Election
Hitler loses in second place, with 37%, to Hindenburg with 40% million votes. -
Bruning Resigns, replaced by Von Papen
Hindenburg forces Bruning to resign, as hindenburg always has to use the article 48to pass Bruning's policies due to his unpopularity. Hindenburg appoints Von Papen from the Centre Party as Chancellor. -
Prussian government disolved
Since, 1929 violence in Germany increased. The SA, in a preparation to the elections, caused street violence where 100 died. Von Papen disolves the Prussian government. -
Federal Elections
The Nazi Party gained 38% of the votes, which meant they gained 230 seats in the Reichstag, making it the largest party in the Reichstag. -
Von Papen loses support
Von Papen's government proves disfunctional as it is unable to gain the support of Hitler's Party. Thus, loses support, and a new election is called. -
Second Federal Election
In the second federal Election, the Nazi Party lost support, going from 38% of votes to 33%. Hitler was supported by the Centre party, having the power to overthrow the government, and become president. However, he knew that to become President he would need the support and had to do it through elections. -
Von Schleicher becomes Chancellor
Hindenburg fires Von Papen, as Von Papen is unable to pass policies due to his little support. However, Hindenburg, still does not want to make Hitler Chancellor, so appoints Von Schleicher to the job. He tries bringing in leading Nazi figures such as Strasser to the Reichstag, which is disaproved by Hitler. -
Hitler becomes Chancellor
Von Papen wanted to regain his post as Chancellor. However, by then Hindenburg had no other option, other than Hitler, as no one else had support, but Hindenburg did not want to appoint him. So, Von Papen convinced Hindenburg that he could appoint Hitler, but him and Hindenburg togther would have control over Hitler, thus being able to do what they wanted through him, having the support. Therefore, Hitler became Chancellor, Von Papen became Vice-Chancellor, and Hindenburg remained President. -
Hitler's Rearmament Plan
Hitler introduced his rearmament plan to top military leaders. -
Reichstag Fire
The Reichstag (German Parlament) was set on fire. The real cause of the fire is still unsure, however, the Nazi Party used the fire to promote their party. They blamed the fire on the communist Van der Lubbe. Also, Hitler convinced Hindenburg to used artcle 48 to declare a state of emergency, This gave Hitler the opportunity to arrest the communists and a few other opponents, strengthening his power in Germany, and raising his support. -
Federal Election
After arresting his opposition, Hitler decided to hold another election, in attempt to increase the Nazi support, and increase its number of seats in the parlament. He succeeded, as in this election the Nazis gained 44% of votes. -
Concentration Camps
Dachau concentration camp opens, where Hitler sends the political prisoners (his opposition). -
Enabling Act
The Act was passed with the help of the Catholic Center Party, which gave Hitler the legislative power of the Reichstag over to the Chancellor, which means he had the power to pass laws without the consent of the Reichstag. -
Nazis boycott Jewish Shops
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Gestapo
Göring forms the Gestapo (secret extrajudicial police force) in Germany. -
Trade Unions banned
Trade union offices are stormed by the SA. Later, the trade union were banned in Germany. -
Nazis burn books
They burned books which presented a different ideology to theirs -
Nazi = only party
Hitler proclaimed that the Nazi party was "the only political party in Germany", which meant that all other parties were banned. -
Hitler declares himself "Fuhrer"
A plebliscite was held and by an overwhelming 90%, the German population approved the merger of the offices of President and Chancellor. Therefore, Hitler assumed the new title of Führer, gaining total control of Germany. -
League of Nations
Hitler removed Germany from the League of Nations, as none of he other countries were disarming as Germany was forced to, along with other reasons. -
Freikorps
The Freikorps pledge allegiance to Hitler in a huge ceremony. -
Gestapo
Gestapo is transferred from Goering to Himmler & Heydrich, who begin to integrate it into the SS. -
Night of the Long Knives
Hitler feared that Rohm (SA leader) had too much power. He ordered the SS to arrest and kill key leaders of the SA, such as Rohm, so that the SA would be loyal to Hitler, not other leaders. This was also made to merge the SA with the Army, in attempt to gain support of the army, which made rearming easier. -
Hindenburg Dies
When Hindenburg died, Hitler issued a decree which gave him the powers of President, including supreme military command