3.2.1. The Destruction of Democracy

On 30 January 1933, President Hindenburg offered the Chancellorship, the highest position in the cabinet of ministers, to Hitler. By now the Nazis had managed to rally the conservatives to their cause.

On January 30, 1933, Adolf Hitler was appointed as Chancellor of Germany. This was a significant political event because the position of Chancellor was the highest office in the German government. At this point, the Nazis had gained enough support to ally with conservative political factions, which helped them acquire more power. Introduction of Hitler to this pivotal role meant the start of a shift in governance towards an authoritarian regime.

Think of this moment like a popular student getting elected as class president after rallying support from other influential students. It marked a turning point that would lead to significant changes in how the class, or in this case, the country, was run.

A mysterious fire that broke out in the German Parliament building in February facilitated his move. The Fire Decree of 28 February 1933 indefinitely suspended civic rights like freedom of speech, press and assembly that had been guaranteed by the Weimar constitution.

In February 1933, a fire occurred in the Reichstag, the German Parliament building, which Hitler used as a pretext to strengthen his control. He issued the Fire Decree a day later, which allowed the government to suspend civil liberties such as freedom of speech, press, and assembly. This was a strategic move to suppress opposition and dissent.

Imagine if a school principal used the excuse of a small fire in the school to impose strict rules that limited students' ability to speak out or gather together. This action would prevent any potential uprisings or disagreements from occurring.

Then he turned on his arch-enemies, the Communists, most of whom were hurriedly packed off to the newly established concentration camps. The repression of the Communists was severe.

With the new powers, Hitler focused on eliminating his political enemies, particularly the Communists. Many were arrested and sent to concentration camps. This was part of a larger strategy to crush any opposition to Nazi rule and create a one-party state, where only the Nazi Party could exist.

Think of a sports team that, after winning a championship, starts to kick members who were previously on the team off because they might be potential threats to the coach's authority. This mirrors how Hitler sought to consolidate power by getting rid of anyone who could challenge him.

On 3 March 1933, the famous Enabling Act was passed. This Act established dictatorship in Germany. It gave Hitler all powers to sideline Parliament and rule by decree.

The Enabling Act passed in early March 1933 essentially dismantled the democratic structure of Germany. This law allowed Hitler to enact laws without the consent of the Reichstag (the German Parliament), facilitating his transition from Chancellor to absolute dictator. It was a crucial step in the establishment of a totalitarian regime.

This is like a school where a principal suddenly decides that they no longer need to consult the student body or teachers for any decisions. They can simply make rules on their own, leading to an environment where no one can question their authority.

All political parties and trade unions were banned except for the Nazi Party and its affiliates.

Following the passing of the Enabling Act, Hitler eliminated all political pluralism by banning all other political parties and trade unions. This ensured that the Nazi Party was the only political entity allowed, thereby reinforcing Hitler's control over Germany and stifling any potential challenge to his authority.

Imagine if a group project in school only allowed one team member to make decisions. The other members would have no say, stifling creativity and collaboration, much like how the Nazis stifled political discourse.

Special surveillance and security forces were created to control and order society in ways that the Nazis wanted. Apart from the already existing regular police, these included the Gestapo, the SS, and other police forces.

To enforce their regime, the Nazis established a series of specialized police units, like the Gestapo (secret police) and the SS (Schutzstaffel). These groups had wide-ranging powers and were responsible for maintaining order and conducting terror against the populace, ensuring that any opposition to Hitler’s regime was swiftly dealt with.

Picture a situation where a school adds additional security personnel who are tasked with monitoring students not just for safety, but to ensure no one questions the school’s rules or authority. Such actions create an atmosphere of fear and control.

It was the extra-constitutional powers of these newly organised forces that gave the Nazi state its reputation as the most dreaded criminal state.

The power given to the various security forces contributed to the Nazi state being viewed as a criminal regime. They operated largely outside the law, allowing for arbitrary detention, torture, and repression of civil rights, making the regime feared by many.

Think about a strict school where the principal can make rules on a whim, and there’s no one to hold them accountable. This creates an environment where students live in fear of punishment for minor offenses, similar to how citizens lived under Nazi rule.

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