Adolf Hitler's Seizure and Consolidation of Power, and his Domestic and Foreign Policy

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1. Hitler's Seizure of Power
   1. Munich Beer Hall Putsch (1923)
      1. Fails, which convinces Hitler to gain power legally
      2. Propaganda victory; gains national attention
   2. Reichstag elections
      1. Single largest party in 1932
      2. Fear of Communism, economic depression, and had excessive propaganda and nationalist appeal
      3. Paramilitary groups (for example SA) fought against other parties in the streets and protected the Nazis
   3. Political Intrigue
      1. Hindenburg convinced to appoint Hitler as Chancellor even though popularity waning
      2. von Papen and others thought they could control Hitler once he's in power
2. Hitler's Consolidation of Power
   1. Reichstag Fire Decree
      1. Used as an excuse to ban Communist Party and arrest its members and leaders
      2. Political rights from the Constitution ended
   2. Enabling Act
      1. Gave Hitler the right to pass laws without the approval of the Reichstag, and could contradict Constitution
   3. Night of the Long Knives (1934)
      1. Hitler was worried about the strength of the SA (3 million men)
      2. Army was reluctant to support Hitler against the SA
      3. Hitler arrested/killed Röhm and other leaders; German people liked him even more for keeping them safe
   4. Voted in as Fuhrer in August 1934 by 90% of the German people
3. Hitler's Domestic Policies
   1. Cult of Personality and propaganda
   2. Racial purity → minorities sent to concentration camps
   3. Economy grows significantly → exports rise
      1. Massive public works → less unemployment
         1. For example, the Autobahn → higher standard of living
   4. Education available to all Germans
   5. Women told to stay home and produce children
   6. Gestapo → Secret Police enforcing Hitler's orders
   7. Four year plans → industrialize and arm for World War II
4. Hitler's Foreign Policy
   1. Saar Plebiscite with overwhelming vote for the Nazis
   2. Conscription and Rearmament
   3. Rhineland had no opposition
   4. Anschluss (Propaganda and strategic)
   5. Munich Conference (Sudetenland)
   6. Czechoslovakia (Lebensraum)
   7. USSR-Nazi Pact (Split up Eastern Europe)
   8. Poland (Started WWII)
   9. Aims
      1. Abolish Treaty of Versailles
      2. Expand German territory
      3. Defeat Communism