1933: Adolf Hitler’s Blitzkrieg Against the German Republic

Adolf Hitler’s blitzkrieg of political moves held Germany in a stranglehold by the end of 1933. The Nazis claimed Van der Lubbe, a Dutch communist, started the Reichstag fire on February 27. Hitler used the fire to purge the communists from Parliament and imprison their leaders, which kept them out of the March elections. 

Then the Parliament passed the Reichstag Decree. Censorship of newspapers, personal letters, and phone calls became legal. The Nazis took complete control of the local German police. This helped the Nazis and their allied party, the German National People’s Party, to win a 52% majority in the Reichstag.

Their next “legal” move came on March 13. Joseph Goebbels became Minister of the Reich Chamber of Culture. The ministry began purging Jews and political opponents from all cultural institutions. In May, the ministry burned all “un-German” books. By the summer, it controlled radio, press, film, and theater, and required journalists and artists to join Nazi-controlled professional organizations.

On March 20, Hitler opened Dachau as a concentration camp for dissidents. The Enabling Act came into effect three days later. Hitler could now enact laws without the approval of the Reichstag or the President. Meant to expire after four years, the law remained in effect throughout the Nazi regime. Hitler now controlled the judiciary, education, and police.

The Nazis reorganized and took control of local governments in April, using the Gestapo (secret police). By May 2, the Nazis had dissolved the trade unions, detained their leaders, and compelled members to join the German Labor Front.

In July 1933, Hitler and the Pope agreed to protect the Catholic Church in exchange for its refraining from involvement in political matters. This allowed Hitler to ban the Catholic Centre Party without opposition from the Church. The Nazi Party became the only party.

Hitler withdrew Germany from the League of Nations on October 14. Hitler now proceeded with his plans to strengthen the military and replace the views and workings of the post–World War I international world with his own.