The Nazi Dictatorship 1933–1939

Between January 1933 and August 1934, Hitler transformed Germany from a fragile democracy into a one-party totalitarian dictatorship. The central question is: how was this achieved so rapidly, and to what extent did ordinary Germans consent to, resist, or simply accommodate the regime?

Key Definition: Gleichschaltung ('coordination' or 'bringing into line') describes the process by which the Nazis systematically brought all institutions, organisations, and aspects of public life under party control.

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The Consolidation of Power (January 1933 – August 1934)

Stage 1: The Reichstag Fire and Emergency Powers

On 27 February 1933, the Reichstag building burned. A Dutch communist, Marinus van der Lubbe, was arrested at the scene. Whether the Nazis set the fire themselves remains debated, but they exploited it ruthlessly.

The Reichstag Fire Decree (28 February 1933) — issued under Article 48 — suspended civil liberties indefinitely:

• Freedom of speech, press, assembly, and association suspended
• Police could search and detain without warrant
• State governments could be overridden

Key Insight: The Fire Decree is arguably more important than the Enabling Act because it was never repealed and provided the permanent legal basis for the police state.

Stage 2: The Enabling Act (23 March 1933)

The Enabling Act (Gesetz zur Behebung der Not von Volk und Reich) gave the government the power to pass laws without the Reichstag for four years:

• KPD deputies arrested or barred; the party's 81 seats were voided
• Centre Party voted in favour after receiving (worthless) promises about Catholic rights
• Only the SPD voted against — Otto Wels's courageous speech remains one of the great moments of parliamentary democracy
• Passed 444 to 94

Martin Broszat argues the Reichstag effectively 'committed suicide' — democratic institutions used their own legal mechanisms to destroy democracy.

Stage 3: Gleichschaltung (March–July 1933)

Action	Date	Detail
State governments dissolved	March–April 1933	Reich governors (Reichsstatthalter) appointed
Trade unions banned	2 May 1933	Replaced by German Labour Front (DAF)
Political parties banned	June–July 1933	Law Against the Formation of New Parties (14 July)
Civil Service Law	7 April 1933	'Non-Aryans' and political opponents dismissed — first explicitly anti-Semitic legislation
Book burnings	10 May 1933	Public burning of 'un-German' books at universities

Stage 4: The Night of the Long Knives (30 June – 2 July 1934)

Ernst Rohm and the SA leadership were murdered along with political opponents including former Chancellor Schleicher. At least 85 people were killed (likely more). The purge achieved multiple objectives:

• Eliminated the SA's demand for a 'second revolution'
• Secured the army's loyalty by removing their rival
• Demonstrated that the Fuhrer's will was above the law
• Settled scores with old enemies

Stage 5: Hitler Becomes Fuhrer (August 1934)

When Hindenburg died on 2 August 1934, Hitler merged the offices of President and Chancellor, becoming Fuhrer und Reichskanzler. The armed forces swore a personal oath of loyalty — not to Germany or the constitution, but to Adolf Hitler personally. This oath would psychologically bind the military and make future resistance extraordinarily difficult.

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The Nature of the Nazi State

The Intentionalist vs. Structuralist Debate