Key events in Nazi Germany

  • Hitler became Chancellor.

    Hitler became Chancellor. He co-operated closely with President Hindenburg and other important people.
  • Period: to

    Concentration camps were opened

    Concentration camps were opened. Political opponents (mainly Communists) were taken to the camps. They got hard labour and beatings until they agreed to stop opposing the Nazis.
  • The Reichstag building burnt down.

    The Reichstag building burnt down. Hitler said it was a Communist plot and had 4000 communists and other opponents arrested.
  • The Enabling Act

    The Enabling Act gave Hitler emergency powers for four years and allowed him to pass laws without going to the President. It made Hitler a dictator in law.
  • Trade unions were banned

    Trade unions were banned. All workers had to belong to the new Nazi-run German Labour Front (DAF).
  • Night of the Long Knives

    Night of the Long Knives: SS troops used trucks and arms supplied by the army to arrest about 400 SA leaders. Anyone else seen as a threat was also arrested. Around 90 of those arrested (including Ernst Rohm) were murdered. Hitler spoke on radio the next day to defend his actions.
  • Political Parties removed

    A law against the start up of new parties was passed. Germany became a one-party (Nazi) state.
  • Religious Concordat

    An agreement was made between the state and the Roman Catholic Church [Concordat]. The Church agreed to stay out of politics, and the government left the Church alone.
  • Hindenburg died

    Hindenburg died, and Hitler took over his role as President. He declared himself Fuhrer (leader) of Germany.
  • oath of loyalty

    German armed forces swore an oath of loyalty to Hitler in return for getting rid of the SA.