The dead parliament
What is the message of
this source?
How strong was Hitler’s position in
1933?
Study the photo and the facts about Hitler & the Nazis in 1933. How
powerful was Hitler? What would he need to do in order to survive?
How strong was Hitler’s position in
1933?
Hindenburg
& Von
Papen
appointed
Hitler as a
‘puppet’
chancellor
Nazis largest
single party, but
didn’t have
overall majority
in Reichstag
Only 2 Nazis
in Cabinet
Study the photo and the facts about Hitler & the Nazis in 1933. How
powerful was Hitler? What would he need to do in order to survive?
How did Hitler consolidate his
power?
The Reichstag fire, 27 February
1933
How did Hitler exploit the Reichstag
fire?
• Dutch Communist, van der Lubbe
• Police imprisoned 4,000 Communist activists
• 28 Feb, Hindenburg suspended freedom of
speech & gave police emergency powers
• March 1933 NSDAP gained 288 seats; won
support of Nationalists & Catholic Centre party;
abolished Communists
Why might some
historians suggest van
der Lubbe was framed?
THE REICHSTAG FIRE,
27 FEBRUARY 1933
WHO WAS TO BLAME FOR THE REICHSTAG FIRE?
YOU HAVE THREE INTERPRETATIONS TO CHOOSE FROM:
1. THE NAZIS SET FIRE TO THE REICHSTAG THEMSELVES AND BLAMED THE
COMMUNISTS
2. THE COMMUNIST PARTY STARTED THE FIRE
3. A LONE MAN (VAN DE LUBBE) STARTED THE FIRE HIMSELF.
1. THE NAZIS SET FIRE TO THE REICHSTAG
THEMSELVES AND BLAMED THE COMMUNISTS/
2. THE COMMUNIST PARTY STARTED THE FIRE
3. A LONE MAN (VAN DE LUBBE) STARTED THE FIRE
HIMSELF.
THEORY ONE:
SOME PEOPLE SAY THE NAZIS STARTED
THE FIRE THEMSELVES – THEY HAD A LOT
TO GAIN FROM IT.
WHY WOULD THE NAZIS WANT TO START THE FIRE?
• THE NAZIS WOULD PROMISE TO DEAL WITH THE
COMMUNISTS – PEOPLE WOULD VOTE FOR THEM.
• WHEN THEY FRAMED VAN DER LUBBE AND EXECUTED HIM
THEY WOULD LOOK LIKE THEY HAD ACTED – PEOPLE
WOULD LIKE THIS
•THE NAZIS WANTED TO PASS TOUGH LAWS AGAINST THEIR
OPPONENTS (ESPECIALLY THE COMMUNISTS). THE FIRE
WAS THE PERFECT EXCUSE FOR THIS.
THEORY TWO:
SOME PEOPLE SAY THAT THE
COMMUNISTS SET FIRE TO THE BUILDING
AS AN ATTACK ON GERMAN DEMOCRACY.
WHY WOULD THE COMMUNISTS WANT TO START THE
FIRE?
• THE COMMUNISTS BELIEVED THE NAZIS MUST BE
DEFEATED. ELECTIONS WEREN’T WORKING. A BIG
EVENT WAS NEEDED TO SPUR THEIR SUPPORTERS TO
ACT.
• THE COMMUNISTS FELT THEY HAD TO DO SOMETHING
TO MAKE SURE THEIR SUPPORTERS SAW THEY WERE
ACTING AND WOULD STILL VOTE FOR THEM.
THEORY THREE:
SOME PEOPLE SAY THAT A
YOUNG MAN (VAN DER
LUBBE) SET FIRE TO THE
BUILDING. HE WAS ACTING
ALONE
WHY WOULD VAN DER LUBBE ACT
ALONE?
• HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE
COMMUNIST PARTY AND WOULD
ACT BECAUSE HE FELT HE
SHOULD.
• HE WAS MENTALLY ILL. HE
SUFFERED FROM LEARNING
DISABILITIES AND HAD A
FASCINATION WITH FIRE.
ON 27 FEBRUARY
1933, JUST FOUR
WEEKS AFTER
HITLER CAME TO
POWER THE
GERMAN
PARLIAMENT
BUILDING BURNS.
THE BUILDING WAS TOTALLY DEVASTATED BY
THE FIRE
THE FIRE AND SMOKE WERE VISIBLE FOR MILES AROUND.
EVERYONE WAS WORRIED.
PEOPLE WERE SCARED THAT FORCES WITHIN GERMANY
WERE TRYING TO ATTACK IT.
THIS IS THE MAN ACCUSED OF STARTING THE
FIRE. HE WAS HANGED FOR THIS CRIME.
DOES HIS PICTURE SUPPORT ONE
INTERPRETATION OVER ANOTHER?
OTHERS SAY THE NAZI STORMTROOPERS
(SA) STARTED THE FIRE.
THE FIRE TOOK PLACE JUST DAYS BEFORE THE NEXT
ELECTION
AT THE PREVIOUS ELECTION THE NAZIS HAD LOST VOTES
(FALLING FROM 230 SEATS TO 196). AFTER THE FIRE THEY
WON 288 SEATS
NAZI NEWSPAPER
HEADLINE: ‘NOW WE WILL
TAKE RIGOROUS STEPS’ –
THIS COULD ONLY MEAN
ACTION AGAINST THE
NAZIS OPPONENTS.
A JOKE FROM THE 1930s MAKES IT CLEAR WHO SOME
GERMAN BLAMED:
IT IS LATE FEBRUARY 1933. ONE STORMTROOPER TURNS
TO ANOTHER AND SAYS, “DID YOU HEAR? THE REICHSTAG
IS ON FIRE!”
THE OTHER STORMTROOPER FIERCELY SAYS, “SHHHSH
THAT’S NOT ‘TILL TOMORROW”!
H/W task
• Go to the historyblog and complete the
reichstag fire source work activity.
Source description
Which theory? Why?
Account written in 1950 by
Rudolf Diels, head of Prussian
Police Force
I reported on the results of the
first interrogation of van der
Lubbe – that in my opinion he
was a maniac. Hitler ridiculed
my childish view
Historians’ account based on
testimony of an SA leader, who
was later killed by Hitler.
An underground passage, built
to carry the central heating
system, ran from Göring’s
palace to the Reichstag
building. Through this tunnel,
Karl Ernst led a detachment of
Stormtroopers
Goering’s testimony at van der
Lubbe’s trial
In this moment I knew that the
Communist Party was the
culprit; I only wish that the rest
of the world had seen this as
clearly
General Halder, Commander in
Chief of German Army,
Nuremberg War Trials, 1945
‘The only one who really
knows about the Reichstag is
I, because I set it on fire!
British journalist who
witnessed the fire
That evening Hitler himself
was not absolutely certain that
the fire was a Communist plot.
As we walked side by side
through the burning building he
said, ‘God grant that this be
the work of Communists
Reliability of the account (out
of 5)
Why?
Folens
• Pg 34 – 37
• Complete task A.
• Can you identify a turning point between
1933-34 were it is obvious Hitler is in
complete control?
In early 1934 Hitler was faced
with a choice between the SA or
the army.
The situation in 1934 …
(before Hindenburg died)
Has Hitler got rid of the trade
unions?
1. Yes
2. No
3. Not sure?
Has Hitler got rid of opposition
parties?
1. Yes
2. No
3. Not sure
Has Hitler got the support of the
army?
1. Yes
2. No
3. Not sure
Has Hitler got full support from
within his own party?
1. Yes
2. No
3. Not sure
Heading for a showdown
• The SA wanted to take over the army
• The army hated the SA
Which side should Hitler chose?
Why should Hitler
chose the
Sturmabteilung
(S.A) ?
Why should Hitler
chose the army?
Why should Hitler
support the
Sturmabteilung
(S.A) ?
The S.A. had been in existence
since the early days of The Nazi
Party
Why should Hitler
support the
Sturmabteilung
(S.A)
Reason
The S.A. had fought for
The S.A. had been in existence
Hitler during the Munich
since the early days of The Nazi
Putsch in 1923
Party
Why should Hitler
support the
Sturmabteilung
(S.A)
Reason
The S.A. had fought for
The S.A. had been in existence
Hitler during the Munich
since the early days of The Nazi
Putsch in 1923
Party
Why should Hitler
support the
Sturmabteilung
(S.A)
Members of the S.A.
were loyal Nazis
Reason
The S.A. had fought for
The S.A. had been in existence
Hitler during the Munich
since the early days of The Nazi
Putsch in 1923
Party
The S.A. was led by one
of Hitler’s earliest
supporters – Ernst Rohm
Why should Hitler
support the
Sturmabteilung
(S.A)
Members of the S.A.
were loyal Nazis
Reason
The S.A. had fought for
The S.A. had been in existence
Hitler during the Munich
since the early days of The Nazi
Putsch in 1923
Party
The S.A. was led by one
of Hitler’s earliest
supporters – Ernst Rohm
Ernst Rohm was
personally loyal to
Hitler
Why should Hitler
support the
Sturmabteilung
(S.A)
Members of the S.A.
were loyal Nazis
Reason
The S.A. had fought for
The S.A. had been in existence
Hitler during the Munich
since the early days of The Nazi
Putsch in 1923
Party
The S.A. was led by one
of Hitler’s earliest
supporters – Ernst Rohm
Ernst Rohm was
personally loyal to
Hitler
Why should Hitler
support the
Sturmabteilung
(S.A)
Members of the S.A.
were loyal Nazis
The S.A. had supported Hitler
and the Nazis by putting up
posters, handing out leaflets and
intimidating political opponents
throughout the 1920’s and early
1930’s.
Reason
The S.A. had fought for
The S.A. had been in existence
Hitler during the Munich
since the early days of The Nazi
Putsch in 1923
Party
The S.A. was led by one
of Hitler’s earliest
supporters – Ernst Rohm
Ernst Rohm was
personally loyal to
Hitler
Why should Hitler
support the
Sturmabteilung
(S.A)
Members of the S.A.
were loyal Nazis
Ernst Rohm shared
Hitler’s vision of a
racially pure society
The S.A. had supported Hitler
and the Nazis by putting up
posters, handing out leaflets and
intimidating political opponents
throughout the 1920’s and early
1930’s.
Reason
The S.A. had fought for
The S.A. had been in existence
Hitler during the Munich
since the early days of The Nazi
Putsch in 1923
Party.
The S.A. was led by one
of Hitler’s earliest
supporters – Ernst Rohm
Ernst Rohm was
personally loyal to
Hitler
Why should Hitler
support the
Sturmabteilung
(S.A)
The S.A. had supported Hitler
and the Nazis by putting up
posters, handing out leaflets and
intimidating political opponents
throughout the 1920’s and early
1930’s.
Members of the S.A.
were loyal Nazis
Ernst Rohm shared
Hitler’s vision of a
racially pure society
The S.A. had c 2.5
million members by
1934.
Should Hitler side with the SA?
1. Yes
2. No
3. Not sure
BUT……
Why should Hitler
purge the
Sturmabteilung
(S.A) ?
Reason
If the S.A. were not brought under
control Hitler may lose the support
of Hindenburg (the President) and
powerful conservatives
Why should Hitler
purge the
Sturmabteilung
(S.A)
Reason
If the S.A. were not brought under
control Hitler may lose the support
of Hindenburg (the President) and
powerful conservatives
The S.A. were
becoming lawless by the
early 1930’s and were
causing some Germans
to turn against the
Nazis
Why should Hitler
purge the
Sturmabteilung
(S.A)
Reason
If the S.A. were not brought under
control Hitler may lose the support
of Hindenburg (the President) and
powerful conservatives
The S.A. were
becoming lawless by the
early 1930’s and were
causing some Germans
to turn against the
Nazis
As S.A. membership
grew, they were
becoming harder to
control
Why should Hitler
purge the
Sturmabteilung
(S.A)
Reason
If the S.A. were not brought under
control Hitler may lose the support
of Hindenburg (the President) and
powerful conservatives
The S.A. were
becoming lawless by the
early 1930’s and were
causing some Germans
to turn against the
Nazis
As S.A. membership
grew, they were
becoming harder to
control
Why should Hitler
purge the
Sturmabteilung
(S.A)
S.A. leaders were demanding
rewards for their loyal
service. They were angry that
new Party Members were
receiving more recognition
than they were
Reason
If the S.A. were not brought under
control Hitler may lose the support
of Hindenburg (the President) and
powerful conservatives
The S.A. were
becoming lawless by the
early 1930’s and were
causing some Germans
to turn against the
Nazis
As S.A. membership
grew, they were
becoming harder to
control
Why should Hitler
purge the
Sturmabteilung
(S.A)
S.A. leaders were demanding
rewards for their loyal
service. They were angry that
new Party Members were
receiving more recognition
than they were
The S.A. were good at
breaking up opponents
political meetings, but
they were not a
professional army.
Reason
If the S.A. were not brought under
control Hitler may lose the support
of Hindenburg (the President) and
powerful conservatives
The S.A. were
becoming lawless by the
early 1930’s and were
causing some Germans
to turn against the
Nazis
As S.A. membership
grew, they were
becoming harder to
control
Why should Hitler
purge the
Sturmabteilung
(S.A)
Ernst Rohm wanted to
merge the regular
German Army with the
S.A
S.A. leaders were demanding
rewards for their loyal
service. They were angry that
new Party Members were
receiving more recognition
than they were
The S.A. were good at
breaking up opponents
political meetings, but
they were not a
professional army.
Reason
If the S.A. were not brought under
control Hitler may lose the support
of Hindenburg (the President) and
Ernst Rohm wanted to
merge the regular
German Army with the
S.A
powerful conservatives
The S.A. were
becoming lawless by the
early 1930’s and were
causing some Germans
to turn against the
Nazis
As S.A. membership
grew, they were
becoming harder to
control
Why should Hitler
purge the
Sturmabteilung
(S.A)?
Many Generals and
leading Nazis distrusted
and feared Ernst Rohm
S.A. leaders were demanding
rewards for their loyal
service. They were angry that
new Party Members were
receiving more recognition
than they were
The S.A. were good at
breaking up opponents
political meetings, but
they were not a
professional army.
Reason
If the S.A. were not brought under
control Hitler may lose the support
of Hindenburg (the President) and
powerful conservatives
The S.A. were
becoming lawless by the
early 1930’s and were
causing some Germans
to turn against the
Nazis
As S.A. membership
grew, they were
becoming harder to
control
S.A. leaders were demanding
rewards for their loyal
service. They were angry that
new Party Members were
receiving more recognition
than they were
Why should Hitler
purge the
Sturmabteilung
(S.A)
The S.A. were good at
breaking up opponents
political meetings, but
they were not a
professional army.
Ernst Rohm wanted to
merge the regular
German Army with the
S.A
Ernst Rohm was a
potential rival to
Hitler
Many Generals and
leading Nazis distrusted
and feared Ernst Rohm
Hitler did not agree
with some of the
SA views e.g. anti –
business.
Should Hitler side with the SA?
1. Yes
2. No
3. Not sure
Should Hitler purge the SA?
1. Yes
2. No
3. Not sure
Why should Hitler
side with the army?
Reason
The Army was the only organisation
with the power to remove Hitler.
Why should Hitler
side with the army?
Reason
The Army was the only organisation
with the power to remove Hitler.
The German Army was well organised
and trained.
Why should Hitler
side with the army?
Reason
The Army was the only organisation
with the power to remove Hitler.
The German Army was well organised
and trained.
Why should Hitler
side with the army?
The German Army possessed the
weapons necessary to wage large
scale war and to undo the Treaty of
Versailles.
Reason
The Army was the only organisation
with the power to remove Hitler.
The German Army was well organised
and trained.
Why should Hitler
side with the army?
The German Army possessed the
weapons necessary to wage large
scale war and to undo the Treaty of
Versailles.
The army had the
support of large
businesses. If
Hitler supported
the German Army
he would gain that
support.
Reason
BUT….
The German Army was small –
100,000 men.
Why Hitler should not
side with the army?
The German Army was small –
100,000 men.
Hitler did not know how loyal the
army would be.
Why Hitler should not
side with the army?
The German Army was small –
100,000 men.
Hitler did not know how loyal the
army would be.
Why Hitler should not
side with the army?
Some Army Generals hated
Hitler and the Nazis.
Should Hitler side with the army?
1. Yes
2. No
3. Not sure
What did Hitler do?
"Will the audience kindly keep their seats."
Daily Express, (3rd July, 1934)
The Night of the Long Knives
30th June 1934
• A hit-list of disloyal SA men was produced by
Himmler, Heydrich and Goering.
Can you think why these men were keen to
Rohm disposed off?
Viktor Lutze,
An SA chief.
Hitler strikes!
• The SS and the police arrest dozens of SA
leaders.
• Many are shot dead in their homes, others are
taken to camps for execution.
• Rohm is jailed, and shot the next day.
• Hitler even takes the opportunity to have von
Schleicher, the ex-chancellor, killed.
Hitler’s speech on 13th July
"In this hour I was
responsible for the fate of
the German people, and
thereby I become the
supreme judge of the
German people. I gave the
order to shoot the
ringleaders in this treason."
Hitler had wanted Rohm to be let
off, for old time’s sake. Himmler
and Goering wanted none of it.
Rohm was ordered to commit
suicide. When he refused, two SS
men shot him dead....
Results of the
Night of the Long Knives
• Over 1,000
opponents were
killed.
In August, President
Hitler gained the support
of the army who swore
an oath of loyalty to him.
He was now in complete
control.
Hindenburg died.
David Low’s cartoon of 1934
From the London Evening Standard
with permission
Who are shown in the centre of the cartoon?
How have they been portrayed?
Cartoon from the London Evening Standard with permission
Can you explain the cartoon caption:
‘They Salute with Both Hands Now’’?
What is the joke?
Cartoon from the London Evening Standard with permission
Describe the appearance of Hitler, Goebbels and Goering.
What point is Low, the cartoonist, trying to make?
Cartoon from the London Evening Standard with permission
What is written upon Hitler’s armband?
(Click on Hitler to enlarge)
What do you think is meant by this?
Cartoon from the London Evening Standard with permission
What is written upon Hitler’s armband?
What do you think is meant by this?
What has been discarded on the floor?
(Click on the message to enlarge)
What do you think is meant by this?
Cartoon from the London Evening Standard with permission
What has been discarded on the floor?
What do you think is meant by this?
What has happened to the people in the foreground?
According to the cartoonist who seems most likely to be
responsible for this action?
Give evidence.
Cartoon from the London Evening Standard with permission
Who are the people surrounding the scene?
Why is their presence so significant?
Cartoon from the London Evening Standard with permission
Overall, what is the meaning of the cartoon?
How useful is the cartoon in helping us to understand the
events that occurred during The Night of the Long Knives?
Cartoon from the London Evening Standard with permission
So what have I learnt about the S.A.?
(Some information has been added for you)
The S.A. was led by
one of Hitler’s earliest
supporters – Ernst
Rohm
The S.A. had supported Hitler and the Nazis by putting up
posters, handing out leaflets and intimidating political
opponents throughout the 1920’s and early 1930’s.
So what have I learnt about the reasons for the
Night of the Long Knives?
(Some information has been added for you)
The S.A. were
becoming
lawless by the
early 1930’s
and were
causing some
Germans to
turn against the
Nazis
If the S.A. were not brought under control
Hitler may lose the support of Hindenburg
(the President) and powerful
conservatives
So what have I learnt about the consequences of the
Night of the Long Knives?
(Some information has been added for you)
Hitler’s popularity soared
within the Party and
amongst the German
population
At least 83, (but more likely over 200)
people were killed
Ernst Rohm, potential rival
to Hitler and leader of the
S.A. was shot dead
HITLER
BECAME
CHANCELLOR
OATH OF
LOYALTY
TO
HITLER
THE
REICHSTAG
FIRE
DEATH OF
PRESIDENT
HINDENBURG
THE
ENABLING
ACT
THE NIGHT
OF THE
LONG
KNIVES
1. Explain why Hitler carried out the Night
of the Long Knives (1934). (6)
2. “The most important reason why Hitler
was able to strengthen his control over
Germany during 1933 and 1934 was the
'Night of the Long Knives'.” Do you
agree with this statement? Explain your
answer. (10)
L1
You write simple statements without any
explanation or historical support
1- 2
L2
You describe the night of the long knives and
other factors
2-4
L3
You explain the night of the long knives and other 4-7
factors.
L4
You can describe whether the night of the long
8-9
knives was the most important reason or whether
other factors were e.g. Reichstag fire. You must
compare
L5
You explain fully whether the most important
reason why Hitler strengthened his control was
due to a night of the long knives or other factors.
You must compare and make links.
9-10
Essay feedback
Swap with the person next to you.
Have they
• detailed information about the night of the long knives
e.g. date, cause, main events, consequences. Explained
how the night of the long knives helped Hitler to
strengthen his control.
• detailed information about other factors e.g. Reichstag
Fire, Enabling Act. Explained how these other factors
helped Hitler to strengthen his control
• A conclusion where they explain what the most important
factor was. Explain how the factors are linked and
equally important.
• The Night of the Long Knives was an important
reason why Hitler was able to strengthen his
control over Germany. Hitler was aware that the
leader of the SA, Rohm, had to power to remove
him as leader of the Nazis. He was scared that
the SA would attempt a coup d’etat. The German
army was also scared that they would be taken
over by the SA. Therefore Hitler ordered the
Night of the Long Knives, 30th June 1934. This
was when the SA leaders and other opponents of
Hitler were arrested and shot. This helped Hitler
strengthen his control because Rohm was
eradicated as a threat as were 1,000 other
opponents. In addition the army was grateful to
Hitler and, when Hindenburg died in August
1934, they swore an oath of loyalty to him. This
strengthened his power even further.
• The Reichstag fire was another important reason why
Hitler was able to strengthen his control over Germany. In
January 1933 Hitler became Chancellor however the
Nazi party had been less successful in that election than
in the previous ones. Hitler was concerned that his party
were losing popularity and that the Communists could be
a threat. It was in February 1933 that Reichstag building
was burnt down. The communist, Van der Lubbe, was
found inside the building and he admitted responsibility.
This helped Hitler strengthen his power as he was able to
convince people that the Communists were trying to take
power by terrorism. As a result Hitler was able to ban the
Communists banned from the Reichstag. In addition
Hitler started to arrest communist leaders and put them
into concentration camps. This meant his power was
strengthened as his main political opponents were being
crushed. In addition the fire allowed Hitler to pass the
enabling act…..