Nazi consolidation of power essays

Nazi consolidation of power essays To consolidate their power over 1933 and 1934, the Nazis used a number of methods to deal with a number of situations. This essay will deal with what the Nazis actually did to consolidate their power once gaining it in January 1933 after Adolf Hitler's appointment as Chancellor. They used legal means, terror tactics and propaganda to eliminate political opposition, suppress possibilities of forceful resistance, deal with Germany's broken economy and labour force, and promote their image and ideology within the national community. Through the use of these methods the National Socialists were able to successfully consolidate their power by the end of 1934. The Nazi's first aim once Hitler was appointed chancellor in January 1933 was to eliminate all political opposition. This would consolidate their power over government. The existing opposition was divided and weak, and believed that Hitler could be controlled. They also believed they could resist his extremist demands. For an example - Carl Bachem, a member of the Catholic Centre Party at the time, revealed in later years that the prevailing view within the party was that by supporting Hitler they could 'exercise a...sobering influence' upon the National Socialists. According to historian D.G. Williamson, 'the potential opposition to Hitler was formidable, but it was divided and crippled by fatally underestimating the dynamism of the Nazi movement.' Many parties also overestimated their influence in government. The power of the Reichstag had declined throughout the last years of Weimar and the President began to rule by decree. Or, as historian William L. Shirer puts it '(By 1932) political power... was concentrated in the hands of a senile President and in those of a few shallow, ambitious men around him. Hitler saw this clearly and it suited his purposes.' As soon as Hitler became chancellor he called for national elections to be held in March. To win these electio...