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SA
Formed in 1921. Led by Ernst Rohm and also known as the 'Brown Shirts' or Stormtroopers -
Hitler Youth
Hitler Youth Groups began. 'Hitler Jugend Groups' -
SS (Schutszstaffel)
Formed in 1925 as Hitler's bodyguard to replace SA. Led by Himmler -
Goebbels Initial Appointment
Goebbels became the Gualeiter (regional leader) of Berlin and was tasked with Nazi propaganda in Berlin. -
Wall Street Crash
The Wall Street Crash, or Black Tuesday, began the Great Depression, causing international economic trauma -
Period: to
The Great Depression
Global economic crisis causing rife unemployment and acting as a catalyst for political discourse world wide. -
Developments of May 1932
Nazi popularity rises. Heinrich Bruning bans the SA. Bruning plans to buy up land to house unemployed. This was seen as too close to communism/Bolshevism. Bruning replaced by vov Papen. Von Schleicher wants Nazi-nationalist coalition. Hitler agrees if SA reinstated (didn't happen) -
Developments of July 1932
Election - Nazi vote rises to 37% (Hindenburg 53%). Hitler demands to be made Chancellor (denied) -
Developments of November 1932
November Election - Nazi highest vote at 33%. Von Papen was removed from position of Chancellor, replaced by von Schleicher -
Anti-Semitic Legislation
Series of laws during 1933 restricting the rights of Jews, prohibiting work in the civil service, legal + medical, journalism, military -
Developments of January 1933
Von Schleicher had no support from public or Nazis as chancellor. He tries to persuade Hindenburg that he could head a military dictatorship. Von Papen persuades Hindenburg to appoint Hitler as Chancellor, believing it to be the best way to control him. Hitler is appointed and von Papen requests to be vice-chancellor (denied). -
Hitler as Chancellor
Hitler is appointed Chancellor by President Hindenburg. Franz von Papen persuaded Hindenburg to appoint Hitler, believed he could be controlled -
Appeal to German People
The day after gaining position of Chancellor, Hitler's 'Appeal to German People' speech - blaming 'November Criminals' and continuing themes from Nazi Ideology -
Reichstag Fire
Reichstag Building burned, Dutch Communist arrested. Propaganda gift for Hitler -
Reichstag Fire Decree
Decree for the Protection of People and State - gave Hitler power to do whatever deemed necessary to protect the state and people -
1933 Election
Hitler wins 44% of the vote in the election, the highest percentage of any candidate (most seats, popular vote) -
Goebbels Promoted
Goebbels was appointed as the Minister for Public Enlightenment and Propaganda, given control over all media content -
Dachau Camp
The first concentration camp opened at Dachau, as a labour camp for political opponents. -
Enabling Act
Hitler introduced The Enabling Act to give himself the power to enact laws without Reichstag -
Gestapo
Secret police force created by Herman Goering. Small elite intelligence force relying heavily on public informants -
Unions Abolished
The day after granting workers a May Day holiday, Hitler abolished all unions as he saw them as a threat -
Book Burning
Over 25,000 books burned in mass burnings in one day. This was a method of censorship used by the Nazis. -
Law Against Establishment of Parties
Legalised the Nazi ban on all other parties, as part of Gleichschaltung -
Law for Prevention of Diseased Progeny
Forced sterilisation of people with physical or mental disabilities - relating to Social Darwinism / radical purity -
Concordat
Hitler signed agreement with Pope Pius XI promising to not interfere with Catholic Church in return for staying out of politics -
Nazification of Church
German Evangelical Church elect Nazi sympathiser, evolves into official National Reich Church -
Reich Chamber of Culture
The Reich Chamber of Culture, or Reichskulturkammer, was established under Goebbels. Total control of propaganda and censorship -
Editors Law
The Editors Law of 1933 was introduced, forcing journalists to print only Nazi-approved information -
Referendum on Hitler
Nazi prestige was enhanced by the results of a referendum on Hitler's administration in November, 90% approval of Hitler -
Labour Camps
By the end of 1933, over 100,000 people imprisoned in camps -
Law Against Malicious Acts on State/Party
Ended freedom of expression to criticise the Nazi party in any way - even privately -
Nazi Link to Armed Forces
By February 1934, the Swastika was worn on military uniforms, evidence of the link between the Nazi's and army -
Period: to
The Night of the Long Knives
Execution of Hitler's supposed political threats, including Ernst Rohm, Gregor Strasser, von Schleicher and 100 SA leaders. -
Paul von Hindenburg Dies
The president died of natural causes (lung cancer and old age). Allowed for Hitler to consolidate his power as Fuhrer -
Conscription
Military Service Law introduced -
Nuremberg Laws
Laws introduced for the 'Protection of German Blood and Honor' and to outline German citizenship -
Four-Year Plan
Hitler's failed four-year plan to achieve autarky (self-sufficiency) began. -
Hitler Youth Law #1
"Law on the Hitler Youth" discriminating against parents who did not allow their children to participate in a Hitler Youth Group -
Unemployment Decrease
Unemployment decreased from 6 million in 1932 to 200,000 in 1939. Figures were inaccurate (women, Jews) -
Hitler Youth Law #2
Hitler Youth Groups become compulsory -
Propaganda
The inexpensive people's radio (Volksempfanger) reached 70% of households by 1939 - New technology for propaganda